IL SB2929

Amends the Language Assistance Services Act to require health facilities to adopt and annually review a policy for providing language assistance services to patients with language or communication barriers.

Mandates facilities provide interpreters to the extent possible whenever a language or communication barrier exists, with interpreters available on-premises or by telephone 24 hours a day.

Requires facilities to post notices in conspicuous locations (emergency room, admitting area, entrance, outpatient area) informing patients of interpreter availability, procedures for obtaining interpreters, and complaint filing processes including TTY numbers for deaf or hard-of-hearing persons.

Requires facilities to notify and train employees on available language services and how to make those services accessible to patients.

Establishes that hospitals serving areas where 10% or more of the population speaks a language other than English must have an interpreter fluent in that language on staff during all operating hours or arrange interpreter availability through telephonic, video, or other means.