HI HB1972

Requires the Office of Language Access to identify state employee positions needing improved language access and determine which languages other than English are required for those positions.

Mandates the Office of Language Access develop and administer proficiency examinations to certify state employees' language skills in identified languages.

Provides a 10 percent salary differential to state employees in identified positions who are certified as proficient in an additional language, with recertification required every five years.

Requires the University of Hawaii to develop and administer free language proficiency training courses for state employees to meet certification requirements.

Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal year 2014-2015 to the Office of Language Access and University of Hawaii to implement the program, effective July 1, 2014.