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WashingtonHB 24752025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning language accessible public programs, activities, and services conducted, operated, or administered by state agencies.

Sponsored By: Lillian Ortiz-Self (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Plan to ease interpreter shortages

The Office of Equity works with state commissions and language access providers to make a plan to address interpreter and translator shortages. The plan covers spoken and sign languages, with a focus on less common languages and rural areas. The Office sends the plan to the Legislature and the Governor by December 1, 2027.

Statewide rules for language access

The Office of Equity must publish uniform language access guidelines by December 1, 2027. The rules cover spoken, signed, written, tactile, and visual communication. They apply to in-person, phone, online, recorded, paper, and digital services. By June 30, 2028, each state agency must submit a plan, a timeline, and needed resources to follow the rules.

Defines terms, no new legal rights

The law defines terms like language accessible, primary language, and state agency. These definitions guide how agencies deliver spoken, signed, written, tactile, and visual information. The law does not create new rights, remedies, or protected groups beyond current state law. It does not change existing agency duties to provide meaningful language access. The law takes effect June 11, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lillian Ortiz-Self

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Thomas

    Democratic • House

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Edwin Obras

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Zahn

    Democratic • House

  • Julio Cortes

    Democratic • House

  • Lauren Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Mia Gregerson

    Democratic • House

  • My-Linh Thai

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Sharlett Mena

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Tomiko Santos

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 92 • No: 50

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 30 • No: 17 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/16/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 62 • No: 33 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/23/2026House

  2. Chapter 142, 2026 Laws.

    3/23/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/23/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/10/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/9/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/6/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 17; absent, 1; excused, 1.

    3/5/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/3/2026House

  10. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/2/2026House

  11. WM - Majority; do pass.

    3/2/2026House

  12. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/2/2026House

  13. Referred to Ways & Means.

    2/25/2026House

  14. And refer to Ways & Means.

    2/24/2026House

  15. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/24/2026House

  16. Minority; do not pass.

    2/24/2026House

  17. SGTE - Majority; do pass.

    2/24/2026House

  18. First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.

    2/18/2026House

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 62; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    2/16/2026House

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/16/2026House

  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/16/2026House

  22. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/14/2026House

  23. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/9/2026House

  24. APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by State Government & Tribal Relations.

    2/9/2026House

  25. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/9/2026House

Bill Text

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