2023 Senate Bill 382 / Public Act 241

Civil rights: other; language access plan; require state agencies to create and implement for individuals with limited English proficiency.

An act to facilitate access to state services by individuals with limited English proficiency; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; and to provide for biennial reports concerning meaningful language access.

House Fiscal Agency Analysis

Senate Bill 382 would create a new act called the Equal Language Access to State Services Act to require that state departments, agencies, and entities take reasonable steps to provide access to state services by individuals with limited English proficiency and to require biennial reports on equal language access. Senate Bill 373 would create the Statewide Equal Language Access Coordination Act to provide for statewide coordination of equal access to state services by individuals with limited English proficiency and a process for submitting complaints and obtaining remedies for lack of equal language access or denial of equal access based on national origin.

Introduced in the Senate

June 8, 2023

Introduced by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-3) and 10 co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Sens. Mary Cavanagh (D-6), Rosemary Bayer (D-13), Erika Geiss (D-1), Paul Wojno (D-10), John Cherry (D-27), Sue Shink (D-14), Jeff Irwin (D-15), Jeremy Moss (D-7), Sylvia Santana (D-2) and Darrin Camilleri (D-4)

Referred to the Committee on Housing and Human Services

Sept. 26, 2023

Reported without amendment

Sept. 27, 2023

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Oct. 11, 2023

Reported without amendment

Oct. 12, 2023

Passed in the Senate 24 to 13 (details)

Received in the House

Oct. 12, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

Nov. 1, 2023

Reported without amendment

Nov. 2, 2023

Substitute H-1 offered by Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-24)

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 56 to 52 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Rep. Jimmie Wilson (D-32)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Received in the Senate

Nov. 2, 2023

Nov. 8, 2023

Substitute H-1 concurred in 24 to 13 (details)

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Nov. 30, 2023