Overview
Language access is a critical component of equal access to local government services and improved civic engagement. Effective communication allows individuals to obtain and provide critical information to government staff across all departments, as well as elected officials. This is especially important for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) or for whom English is not their native language.
In Washington, statutes, regulations, and as well as guidance documents establish the regulatory framework and best practices for providing language access. This includes interpreter and translation services, language access plans, and outreach for courts, elections, and local government programs. Federal LEP requirements also exist, but they are currently evolving.
Washington State LEP Requirements
These are the state statutes and regulations related to language access:
Chapter 2.42 RCW
– Requires interpreters be provided for individuals with hearing or speech impairment in legal proceedings.
Chapter 2.43 RCW
– Requires interpreters for non-English speaking persons in legal proceedings.
Chapter 49.60 RCW
– Prohibits discrimination across broad areas and for a variety of reasons.
RCW 49.60.520
– Requires television closed captioning in places.
RCW 74.04.025
– Requires bilingual services for non-English-speaking applicants and recipients.
RCW 38.52.070
– Requires that local comprehensive emergency management plans account for populations with limited English proficiency language groups in their jurisdictions in their communications plans.
WAC 388-271-0010
– Defines LEP services.
State LEP Resources
State agencies and departments offer information, resources, and research on language access. Here are a few:
Federal Requirements for LEP and General Civil Rights Compliance
Federal LEP policy is currently evolving as discussed below:
Executive Office of the President:
Executive Order (EO) 14224
(2025) – Revoked
Executive Order 13166
(2000) and designated English as the official language of the federal government. It directs the U.S. Attorney General to rescind all guidance related to EO 13166 and issue new guidance consistent with federal law. However,
EO 14224
does not require or direct any change in the services provided by any agency. It also does not remove the underlying legal obligations to provide access for individuals with limited English proficiency under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act or other federal nondiscrimination statutes.
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Office of the Attorney General Memorandum for All Federal Agencies
(2025) – Rescinds prior LEP guidance, suspends LEP.gov, and directs federal agencies to review multilingual offerings. By January 2026, new guidance will be issued, encouraging English-only services where legal, using technology for translation, and reallocating funds toward English proficiency programs.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
– Federal law that protects people from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.
Language Access Plans
A language access plan (LAP) is a document that describes how to provide LEP services. Language access plans should be tailored to individual organizations, departments, or agencies. LAPs may include similar sections, such as a needs assessment, language services offered, notices, training for staff, and program evaluation.
Examples of Local Government Ordinances, Documents, and LAPs
Generally, local governments may employ one or more of the following tools in an LAP: interpretation services (in-person and remote), written translation services, staff who speak more than one language, partnerships with an organization that can provide LEP support, and/or notice about the availability of language services. Here are sample LAPs and ordinances:
Voting Rights Acts – State and Federal
The
Washington Voting Rights Act (WVRA)
(Chapter 29A.92 RCW), enacted in 2018, supports and protects citizens’ voting rights and fair representation in opportunities to be elected to local government councils and commissions, and it addresses legal requirements for language access. When local governments propose to change to district-based elections, either voluntarily or upon a WVRA petition from a voter, then written and verbal notice needs to be provided by the government in languages that diverse residents of the community can understand. Per
RCW 29A.92.050
(1)(c), a "significant segment of the community" means 5% or more of residents, or 500 or more residents, whichever is fewer, residing in the political subdivision.
Several Washington counties are required by the federal
Voting Rights Act (VRA)
(52 U.S.C. 10301) to provide multilingual election information and ballots. These requirements are based on populations of 10,000 or more, or 5% or more, persons speaking different languages residing within a jurisdiction. The minority language provisions of the federal VRA were added in 1975. These minority language mandates are found in
52 U.S.C. 203
and
28 C.F.R. Part 55
As noted, some counties already provide election material in languages other than English. For example,
Pierce County
provides materials in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean.
Franklin
and
Yakima
counties must provide ballots and election information in English and Spanish.
Language Access and Elections Resources
Washington State Courts
Providing language access services in court is essential to help participants meaningfully engage in the judicial process. Equal and fair access to courts requires measures to reduce and eliminate barriers to justice. Per
RCW 2.43.090
, language assistance plans are required for each trial court in Washington State. These plans provide for interpreter services for access to civil and criminal proceedings in the courts.
Sample Washington Court LAPs
The Washington Administrative Office of the Courts’ Desk book(2017) addresses access for LEP and deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind persons to court services, and includes a Model Language Access Plan for courts. The samples below utilize this model language:
Law Enforcement and Community Outreach
For law enforcement, language barriers can impede effective and accurate communication of important rights, obligations, and services, and can hamper the ability of LEP persons to communicate in difficult situations. Hampered communication with LEP victims, witnesses, alleged perpetrators, and community members can present local police officers with safety, evidentiary, and ethical challenges.
Some local law enforcement agencies have taken proactive measures to build trust and strengthen relationships by conducting outreach to LEP communities. By building trust, law enforcement can advance their core mission of providing public safety. When community members know and trust their local officers, they are more likely to report crime and to work with police on neighborhood crime-reduction strategies.
Law Enforcement and Community Outreach Resources
Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)
Local Government Police Department Documents
Local Government Emergency Management Documents
Technology Tools for Language Access
Some local governments choose to use external translation services that provide both on-site and on-demand options and can cover thousands of languages. Here is a sample service:
Language Line Solutions
Recommended Resources
MRSC
Police Executive Research Forum
(PERF) – PERF is an independent research organization that focuses on critical issues in policing. Since its founding in 1976, PERF has identified best practices on fundamental issues such as reducing police use of force; developing community policing and problem-oriented policing; using technologies to deliver police services to the community; and evaluating crime reduction strategies.
U.S. Census Bureau
: American Community Survey
(ACS) – Produced annually, the ACS is the premier source for detailed population information and language use, which can help a local government understand the demographic changes taking place in their communities and determine where and how to direct language access resources.
Washington State Coalition for Language Access
(WASCLA) – An education and advocacy organization with a mission to eliminate language barriers that prevent Washington residents from accessing essential services.
Washington State Office of Financial Management:
Limited English Proficiency Population Estimates
– Collects Limited English Proficiency population estimates to support language access planning and compliance across the state.