Language Access

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:

• Governor’s Interagency Council on Health Disparities: Language Access Policy Paper (2014) – Offers recommendations to state agencies on how to provide meaningful language access services to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• State Office of Superintendent of Instruction: Language Access Workgroup Summary of Report to the Legislature (2020) – Provides a series of recommendations, tools, and specific strategies to provide meaningful, equitable access for public school students and their family members who may have language access barriers.  

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:

• Issaquah Title VI Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan (2024) – Outlines a four-factor analysis and implementation plan to guide city services for LEP.
• Seattle
  • Executive Order 2017-10 (2017) – Directs city departments to update and prioritize implementation of the city’s LAP.
  • Title VI Plan (2018) – Includes LEP provisions. 
• Spokane Ordinance No. C36630 (2025) – Requires city departments to develop language access programs and identify government documents for translation and interpretation services.
• Wenatchee Resolution No. 2016-32 (2016) – Supporting adoption of a proposed LEP plan.

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 Secretary of State: Elections: Complying with Minority Languages (2011) – Provides an overview of how and why counties in Washington provide bilingual election-related materials.

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:

• Battle Ground Municipal Court Language Assistance Plan (2017)
• Burlington Language Access Plan of the Municipal Court (2020)
• Fircrest Municipal Court Language Access Plan (2018)

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)

• Building Trust with Immigrant Communities: Best Practices for Law Enforcement Agencies in Smaller Cities and Towns (2020) – Focuses on the challenges and solutions identified by small-town police departments.
• Inventory of Promising Practices and Programs for Immigrant and Refugee Outreach (2020) – Includes a link to a downloadable spreadsheet as well as links to additional PERF publications on working with immigrant communities.
• Strengthening Relationships between Police and Immigrant Communities in a Complex Political Environment: Multicultural Outreach and Engagement Programs for Police Agencies (2018) – Provides guidance on creating programs for building strong relationships with immigrant communities. The Seattle Police Department’s Community Outreach Unit is included as one of four examples.

Local Government Police Department Documents

• Mattawa Language Assistance Plan – While it is also a guide for town employees, this LAP focuses primarily on creating LAP policies and procedures for the town’s police department.
• Spokane Police Department Manual, Chapter 368 (2017) – Provides guidance to officers when communicating with LEP individuals.

Local Government Emergency Management Documents 

• Kirkland Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Communications Resource Guide – Includes resources for communication with LEP populations regarding incident response and recovery operations. 

 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:
  • Community Engagement Resources – This MRSC page provides links and resources related to public participation and community engagement.
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources for Local Governments – This MRSC resource provides resources, tools, and sample documents related to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within Washington State local governments.
• 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.