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HB 5347

AN ACT REQUIRING A PLAN FOR THE TRANSLATION AND REVIEW OF FORMS AND APPLICATIONS REQUIRED TO ACCESS STATE AGENCY SERVICES OR BENEFITS BY LIMITED-ENGLISH PROFICIENT INDIVIDUALS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gary Turco

Connecticut requires state agencies to create plans translating and reviewing service forms for limited-English proficient residents, expanding access to state benefits and services.

FILE NO. 195
#administrativeservices #departmentof #communications #executivebranch #language #plans #stateagencies
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Bill Summary · HB 5347

Legislative bill overview

HB 5347 mandates that Connecticut state agencies develop and implement a comprehensive plan to translate and review all forms and applications needed to access state services or benefits for individuals with limited English proficiency. The bill establishes requirements for identifying which documents need translation, setting translation standards, and ensuring accessibility across multiple state agencies.

Why is this important

Approximately 14% of Connecticut residents speak English less than very well at home. Without accessible forms and applications, limited-English proficient (LEP) individuals face barriers to critical services including healthcare benefits, social services, housing assistance, and licensing programs. This bill aims to remove systemic obstacles and ensure equitable access to publicly funded services regardless of language ability.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and implementation burden: Agencies must allocate resources for translation services, document review, and ongoing maintenance, which could require new funding or reallocation from existing budgets
  • Language coverage scope: Determining which languages to prioritize (Connecticut has speakers of Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and others) and how many languages agencies must support
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill references "a plan" without specifying enforcement mechanisms, penalties for non-compliance, or timelines for completion and implementation of the translation work

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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