# 119-s-4985: Language Access for All Act of 2026

119-s-4985, Language Access for All Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] (D-NJ); status introduced (as of 2026-10-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4985
- As of: 2026-10-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-4985
- Congress: 119
- Title: Language Access for All Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-07-15
- Sponsor: Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] (D-NJ)
- Cosponsors: 2
- Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-10

## Summary

**Meaningful language access across federal agencies.** This bill would build a government-wide framework to make programs and communications usable for people with limited English proficiency and to limit reliance on automated translation tools. - People with limited English proficiency (LEP): Agencies would have to translate vital documents, offer oral and remote interpretation, and post multilingual notices and signage, with required plans and initial translations due within 1 year. - Federal agencies and staff: Each agency would create and publish a language access plan, appoint a Language Access Coordinator, require mandatory training for public-facing staff, and set monitoring and improvement processes. - AI, oversight, and civil rights: AI could not fully replace qualified human language services and must be human-verified with public disclosures about sources and error rates. Biannual Inspector General audits would cover AI-assisted systems with 90-day report deadlines, and the Department of Justice could enforce failures as Title VI discrimination allowing administrative or civil remedies.

## Cosponsors (2)

- Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] (D-HI), 2026-07-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] (D-NY), 2026-07-15T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Agency language access plans and services: benefit, medium. If enacted, each federal agency would write a language access plan within one year. The plan would list limited‑English groups and explain how the agency will provide translations, interpretation, and multilingual digital services. Agencies would translate ‘‘vital’’ documents, accept qualified bili…
- Standards, AI rules, and oversight: benefit, medium. If enacted, agencies would adopt Language Access Technical Standards within one year. Standards would cover written and digital content, user interfaces, quality, and the use of AI and machine translation. Agencies would review standards at least every three years and certify compliance annually. A…
- Enforcement and complaint process: benefit, low. If enacted, the Attorney General would run a public complaint system for language access barriers. DOJ would refer complaints to the named agency and that agency would respond within 60 days. DOJ would publish an annual report listing complaints by agency, language, and program. The bill would trea…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act
- 119-s-3990: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026
- 119-s-2823: FAMILY Act
- 119-s-2763: Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act

## Sources
- [119-s-4985 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4985)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2819)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [119-s-3990: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3990)
- [119-s-2823: FAMILY Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2823)
- [119-s-2763: Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2763)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4985 (as of 2026-10-10).