HI HB728

Establishes an Office of Language Access within the Department of Health with an executive director appointed by the governor to oversee statewide language access programs for limited English proficient persons.

Executive director responsibilities include providing oversight and technical assistance to state agencies, reviewing language access plans for compliance, resolving language barriers through informal methods, and consulting with language access coordinators and advisors.

Changes the statewide language access resource center from mandatory to discretionary operations, allowing it to maintain interpreter rosters, provide training, support interpreter recruitment and retention, and accept federal and private funding.

Modifies staffing requirements for the resource center from mandatory minimum positions to flexible staffing, with the option to hire one project coordinator, three program specialists, and one clerk as needed rather than as required positions.

Effective date is July 1, 2060.