HB 24-1368 Summary

• Creates a Language Access Advisory Board with 11 voting members and 2 nonvoting members to study and recommend improvements for legislative access for populations with limited English proficiency.

• Board membership includes 3 House members, 2 Senate members, and representatives from the Colorado Language Access Coalition, local government, persons with disabilities, translation/interpretation services, rural communities, and elections expertise.

• Advisory board must complete a study by December 15, 2024, examining language barriers to the legislative process, current language access measures, potential development of a language access plan, interpretation and translation options for legislative activities, and accessibility of ballot information materials.

• Board shall conduct at least one public comment session and solicit input from the Secretary of State, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and county clerks.

• Appropriates $29,741 to the legislative department for 2024-25 ($22,047 for legislative council, $7,694 for general assembly); the advisory board is repealed effective January 1, 2025.