CA SB1078

Establishes the Office of Language Access within the California Health and Human Services Agency to oversee language access programs and ensure individuals with limited English proficiency have meaningful access to state services.

Requires each department and office within the agency to develop and implement a Language Access Plan including methods to identify limited English proficiency individuals, provide free interpretation and translation services, train staff, and monitor compliance.

Mandates the Office of Language Access maintain a public website containing all Language Access Plans, corrective action plans, translated materials, interpreter directories, and complaint procedures.

Requires the Office of Language Access to submit biennial reports to the Legislature beginning November 1, 2026, detailing challenges, lessons learned, multilingual staffing levels, translation and interpretation requests, language access complaints, and expenditures.

Establishes a Language Access Advisory Workgroup beginning January 1, 2025, with 5-10 members with limited English proficiency experience to meet quarterly through 2027, then annually through 2035, to provide community input on language access implementation.