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119-hr-8604119th CongressWALLET

Language Access Board Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

Introduced

Summary

Language Access Board would be created to set and enforce federal standards so people with limited English proficiency can use public-facing federal programs and materials. The bill would also require agency reviews, a complaint process, and studies on translating resources and technology.

Show full summary
  • People with limited English proficiency would get clearer access to federal services because agencies must make public-facing resources and vital documents accessible in comparable formats and provide alternatives when full compliance is an undue burden. Complaints could be filed with the Board six months after final standards are published.
  • Federal departments and agencies would have to adopt Board standards, revise their language access policies within six months after initial standards, and run accessibility evaluations starting eighteen months after enactment and every two years thereafter. Agencies could face investigations and corrective action plans overseen by the Board and reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.
  • Interpreters, translators, contractors, and technology vendors would see new guidance and best practices from a two-year study on existing language access laws and standards, plus Board-led technical assistance and training for federal staff and contractors.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Which agencies must provide language access

If enacted, each federal agency would have to make public-facing materials accessible to people with limited English proficiency. This includes vital documents, websites, forms, hotlines, and call centers. An agency can avoid full compliance only if it documents an undue burden. If an undue burden exists, the agency would still need to give alternative ways for LEP people to access services. The bill would define a 'federally conducted program' as one run day-to-day by a federal agency, and funding or oversight alone would not qualify a program.

Standards, reviews, and a two-year study

If enacted, the Board would publish initial language access standards within 2 years. The proposed standards would be posted in the Federal Register for a 60-day public comment period and reviewed within 30 days after that. The Board could not issue or change standards without OMB review, and OMB would have 30 days to approve or suggest changes. The Board would review standards starting 5 years after enactment and every 5 years thereafter. The Board would also complete and publish a study within 2 years on language access laws, barriers, costs, interpreter standards, and machine translation, and send the results to Congress and the President.

New Federal Language Access Board

If enacted, the bill would create a Federal Language Access Board with 32 members. The President would appoint 16 public members who may not be federal employees. The other 16 would be agency heads or senior designees. No more than eight public appointees could be from the same political party.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/4/2026

  • Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/4/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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