THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2897
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Language Access.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 286, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§286-   Interpreter services program; Compact of Free Association citizens. (a) Each county director of finance, in consultation with the county examiner of drivers, shall establish and implement an interpreter services program to assist the language access needs of nonimmigrants who:

(1) Are citizens of:

(A) The Federated States of Micronesia;

(B) The Republic of the Marshall Islands; or

(C) The Republic of Palau,

as defined by the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985, P.L. 99-239, as amended, or the Compact of Free Association Approval Act, P.L. 99-658; and

(2) Have limited English proficiency or are unable to read, write, speak or understand English,

to access and utilize the services provided by the department of motor vehicles of each county.

(b) The services for each county's interpreter services program established pursuant to subsection (a) shall be provided through:

(1) Contracts for services entered into by the county director of finance and service providers residing in the county; or

(2) Utilization of the department of human services Med-QUEST divisions' community navigators who provide home and community-based services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities pursuant to section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, when applicable.

(c) The county director of finance shall consult with the executive director of the office of language access and may seek guidance from the language access advisory council established pursuant to section 321C-7 to implement the interpreter services program under this section."

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 as a grant-in-aid to establish and implement an interpreter services program in the department of motor vehicle of each county. The sum appropriated shall be distributed as follows:

County of Hawaii $          

County of Kauai $          

County of Maui $          

City and County of Honolulu $          

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the respective counties for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Compact of Free Association (COFA) Citizens; Interpreter Services Program; Department of Motor Vehicles; Appropriation

Description:

Requires each county's Director of Finance, in consultation with the County Examiner of Drivers, to establish an Interpreter Services Program to assist Compact of Free Association citizens with utilizing the services provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles of each county. Appropriates funds.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.