CA AB401

Requires the Employment Development Department to provide all standard information pamphlets in English and any written language that is a Medi-Cal threshold language in any county, effective immediately.

Mandates qualified human translator services beginning July 1, 2022, for applications, vital documents, and all written communications in specified threshold languages, with ad hoc translations available for other languages within 2 business days upon request.

Requires the department to develop and fully implement a community review process by July 1, 2024, to ensure translations are plain language, readable, and culturally appropriate, with input from public members, local government, and community organizations.

Establishes that all benefit applications must ask claimants to identify their preferred written and spoken languages, with materials provided in the indicated language; online portals must allow claimants to select and expand language options.

Requires qualified interpreters or bilingual staff to provide oral and signed language services in real time or within 24 hours in all claimant interactions, and mandates annual publication of application and claimant statistics by preferred language.