Requires general hospitals to provide language assistance services

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Jackson and 1 co-sponsor

Requires general hospitals to provide free language assistance (interpreters and translations) for patients with limited English proficiency to improve care and safety.

SUBSTITUTED BY A387B

Purpose and intent

S 6288 is intended to improve patient access to health care by ensuring that individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) receive timely, effective language assistance in general hospitals. The bill seeks to reduce communication barriers that can lead to poorer health outcomes, errors in care, and inequitable access to services.

Key provisions (core requirement)

Requires general hospitals to provide language assistance services to patients who need them.

Language assistance is intended to cover both spoken interpretation and written translation of important documents and notices necessary for informed consent, clinical care, discharge instructions, and access to services.

Note: The full bill text is not provided here. Typical elements in bills of this type (and likely included in S 6288 / its substitute A387B) address:
- Identification of patients’ language needs at intake and registration.
- Access to qualified interpreters (in-person or via telephone/video) and protocols for using bilingual staff vs. professional interpreters.
- Translation of “vital documents” (consent forms, discharge instructions, patient rights notices).
- No-cost provision of language services to patients (i.e., hospitals must provide services without charging patients).
- Recordkeeping and documentation requirements (noting interpreter use and language preference in medical records).
- Staff training on language access policies and use of interpretation services.
- Definitions (e.g., “qualified interpreter,” “vital documents,” “general hospital”).

Who would be affected

General hospitals operating in the state (administration, clinical staff, compliance personnel).

Patients with limited English proficiency and their families.

Interpreter service vendors and internal interpreter staffing programs.

Payers and possibly state/regulatory agencies for oversight or enforcement mechanisms.

Procedural and timeline notes

Referred to the Senate Health Committee on March 7, 2025.

Multiple amendments and print versions: 6288A (3/25/2025), 6288B (4/11/2025).

Advanced to third reading in the Senate on May 22, 2025.

On June 10, 2025, S 6288 was substituted by Assembly bill A387B — further action and any enacted language will proceed under that Assembly measure. S 6288’s related companion in the Assembly is A387; several prior-session bills on similar topics are listed.

Potential impacts

Positive: Improved patient safety, better informed consent, greater equity in care, reduced miscommunication-related adverse events.

Operational: Hospitals may incur costs to hire interpreters, contract for language services, translate documents, and train staff; administrative changes to intake and documentation.

Policy/oversight: May prompt regulatory guidance from state health authorities and affect hospital licensing/compliance reviews.

For the current, operative language and implementation details, consult A387B (the substitute) and the official bill text and fiscal notes.

Bill