Language Access Board Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a federal Language Access Board to set mandatory language access standards and enforce them so people with limited English proficiency can use federal programs meaningfully. The board would write standards, run investigations and hearings, and help agencies adopt those rules through technical assistance and grants.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Complaints, investigations, and public reports
If enacted, people with limited English skills or groups working for them could file complaints with the Board starting six months after the Board publishes final standards. The Board could investigate agencies, hold public hearings, and issue binding compliance orders or corrective action plans (which it must send to OMB for a 14-day review). The Board would monitor fixes, tell complainants within 60 days after a plan finishes, keep public records of plans and waivers, and publish studies and reports (a study within two years and reports every two years starting four years after enactment). The Board would also give technical help to agencies and the public.
New Federal Language Access Board
If enacted, this bill would create a Federal Language Access Board with 32 members: 16 public appointees and 16 agency heads or senior designees. Public members would serve staggered five-year terms and the Board would elect a one-year chair that alternates between a public member and an agency head. The Board could hire an Executive Director, hearing examiners, advisers, and staff; pay public appointees up to the daily rate for Executive Schedule level IV; and get technical help from agencies. The Board could also make grants, sign contracts, and accept gifts (with rules to avoid conflicts and deposit of money into the Treasury).
Required language access rules and waivers
If enacted, the Board would issue mandatory language access standards for public-facing federal materials and publish them within two years. The Board must take 60 days of public comments and submit final standards to OMB for 30-day review (OMB silence equals approval). Agencies would have six months to update their language access policies after the Board issues standards or revisions. Agencies could request waivers for undue burdens; the Board must act within 30 days, waivers may last up to two years, and waivers cannot remove meaningful access.
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
Wilson (FL)
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
Soto
FL • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 5/4/2026
Gomez
CA • D
Sponsored 5/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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