Local government: emergency response services: use of languages other than English.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Fong and 1 co-sponsor

AB 2341 requires local emergency services to provide critical information in English and every language spoken by at least 5% of English learners in the jurisdiction.

From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 1).

#localgovernment #emergencyresponseservices #useoflanguagesotherthanenglish

Purpose and intent

AB 2341, introduced by Assembly Member Fong, aims to ensure that emergency information is accessible to residents who are not proficient in English. The bill would require local agencies that provide emergency response services and serve a population with a substantial share of English learners (5% or more, based on American Community Survey data) to provide emergency information in English and in translations of each language spoken by at least 5% of those English-learners.

Key provisions and changes

Emergency information language requirement

If 5% or more of the jurisdiction’s population speaks English less than “very well” and jointly speak a non-English language, the local agency must provide emergency information in English and in each language spoken by that group.

Data-driven determination

By January 1, 2025, local agencies must use American Community Survey data (or an equally reliable source) to identify which languages meet the translation threshold for their jurisdiction.
Determinations of “5 percent or more” must be based on the same data source.

Ongoing evaluation

Local agencies must reassess the language requirements every five years to ensure translations align with current population needs.

Quality and community engagement

Translated information must be as comprehensive, actionable, and timely as the English version.
Agencies should strive to engage community members with cultural and language competencies, preferably utilizing native speakers who are fluent in English when feasible.

Compliance and oversight

Beginning January 1, 2027, the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) – Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation shall survey a sample of local agencies every three years and report findings to the Legislature.

Definitions

“Emergency” includes situations requiring immediate action for threats of serious harm or mass casualties (natural disasters, extreme perils).
“Emergency response services” include police, fire, and emergency medical services.
“Local agency” means a city, county, city and county, or a department thereof.

Non-derogation

The bill does not relieve agencies of obligations under the California Emergency Services Act.

Who is affected

Local agencies that deliver emergency response services (cities, counties, and their departments) operating within jurisdictions where 5% or more of residents speak English less than very well.

Non-English-speaking residents who speak languages identified as meeting the 5% threshold, who would gain access to emergency information in their native languages.

Timeline and procedural notes

Data determination and translations: by January 1, 2025.

Reassessment cycles: every five years.

Compliance review: starting January 1, 2027, with triennial surveys by the OPR to assess statewide compliance.

Legislative status shown: various committee actions in 2026; amended and referred multiple times before advancement.

Fiscal impact

No appropriation is specified in the bill text; however, routine implementation costs for translation efforts, data analysis, and periodic surveys could be incurred by affected local agencies and the OPR.

Overall, AB 2341 standardizes multilingual emergency communications to better reach communities with high English-learner populations, using data-driven language thresholds and periodic reevaluation.

Bill