L A O A N D R E P O R T S U M M A R Y
Language Access Mandates and Local Ordinance Overview
Language justice is advanced through many intersecting federal , state , and local laws and policies . The federal government recently affirmed its commitment to language access through action by the Justice Department . On November 21 , 2022 , Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memorandum urging federal agencies to strengthen their engagement with Limited English Proficient ( LEP ) individuals by reviewing their language
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Order 13166 , this memorandum encourages federal agencies and federal funding recipients to evaluate the current accessibility of programs , resources , and information for LEP individuals and identify areas for improvement . The memorandum also recommends consideration of agencies ’ digital communications , to see if virtual content can be adapted to be more welcoming to LEP community members .
The Migration Policy Institute reported in 2021 that there are more than 40 language access laws in existence across 40 states and local jurisdictions . San Franciscans have had a local language access law since 2001 , when the City and County of San Francisco ( the City ) adopted its first language access policy as the Equal Access to Services Ordinance . The City amended the ordinance in 2009 , renaming it the Language Access Ordinance ( LAO ) and designating the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs ( OCEIA ) as the Department responsible for oversight of the City ’ s compliance with the policy . The LAO was amended again in 2016 ; this is the version of the ordinance that exists today .
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