SB 3239

THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
3239
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to language access.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
���� SECTION 1.� The
legislature finds that the foreign-born population in Hawaii is two hundred
sixty thousand and makes up eighteen per cent of the State's total population,
which is higher than the fourteen per cent of the population of the United
States that is foreign-born.� Immigrants
to Hawaii arrive from many countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Mexico,
Vietnam, and the Philippines, and contribute billions to the State's economic
output by paying taxes, establishing new businesses, and staffing essential
jobs.� However, many immigrants are paid
below poverty rates and lack access to social benefits.
���� The legislature further finds that around
twenty-five per cent of the State's population speak a language other than
English at home and over ten per cent have limited English proficiency.� Among these other languages are Ilokano,
Tagalog, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Samoan, Tongan, and Micronesian languages,
including Pohnpeian, Marshallese, and Chuukese.
Without
access to services and resources in these languages, many residents of Hawaii
face significant barriers to participation in the community.
���� The legislature further finds that the
Hawaii emergency management agency has one language coordinator and needs
additional bilingual resources to communicate with residents with limited
English proficiency, especially during emergencies.� Additionally, bilingual resources are
essential for the state to comply with federal and state mandates, such as the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Presidential Executive Order 13166 of August 11,
2000, to provide language access as a condition to receive grants, contracts,
and other partnerships.� In 2006, the
State established the Office of Language Access to affirm its commitment to
civil rights and comprehensive access to services regardless of national
origin.
���� Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
provide the Hawaii emergency management agency with resources to meet the
language access needs of residents with limited English proficiency and
reaffirm its commitment to civil rights.�
These resources will increase the Hawaii emergency management agency's
capacity to serve immigrants and other residents with limited English
proficiency by providing bilingual resources and services.
���� SECTION 2.�
There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $  or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the Hawaii
emergency management agency to expand access to bilingual resources and
services.
���� The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the Hawaii emergency management agency for the purposes of this Act.
���� SECTION 3.�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Hawaii
Emergency Management Agency; Limited English Proficiency; Language Access; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates
funds for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to increase access to
bilingual resources and services for residents with limited English
proficiency.
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