LAO Amendments : Key Changes
LAO Amendments : Key Changes
In 2024 , the Board of Supervisors passed amendments to improve the City ’ s language access services . Key initiatives included :
LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT ( LEP ) POPULATION THRESHOLD ADJUSTMENTS
The threshold for certifying a Limited English Proficient ( LEP ) language population was reduced from 10,000 to 6,000 LEP individuals , effective January 1 , 2026 . This change is expected to include Vietnamese as a certified language , with additional evaluations to identify newly eligible languages based on data from the U . S . Census Bureau .
NEW TRANSLATION REQUIREMENTS
Departments must translate vital information , including signage and digital content ( e . g ., websites and social media ), into required threshold languages .
Departments are required to respond to public translation requests within 48 business hours and provide updates on completion timelines .
OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION
OCEIA will develop and disseminate a multilingual " Know Your Rights " brochure detailing language access rights and the process for filing complaints . This brochure will be translated into the top 20 languages in San Francisco that are most spoken and have the highest rate of language access needs . Departments will ensure the brochures are publicly accessible .
OCEIA will develop best practices for first responders by January 1 , 2025 .
COMPLAINT REPORTING ENHANCEMENTS
OCEIA will provide quarterly language access complaint reports to both the Immigrant Rights Commission and the Board of Supervisors .
OCEIA will create a website to offer updates on the status of language access complaints and investigations .
10