An Act Relative to Language Access and Inclusion

New draft: S.2622 (SWM) / H.3384 (HWM)

S.2125 / H.3384 (Sen. DiDomenico; Rep. Madaro & Rep. González)

Summary
Requires key public-facing state agencies to:

• offer interpretation services
• translate critical documents and information, including websites, applications, and email communications, into some of the most widely spoken languages
• hire full-time language access coordinators to help offices develop and carry out language access plans
• creates an advisory board with members of limited English-speaking communities, the deaf or hard of hearing community, and advocates to aid the state in implementing the law.

Why we need it

By building state agencies' capacity to meet language access needs of an increasingly diverse population, the Commonwealth will help break down key barriers that make it far too difficult for limited English proficient speakers to access even the most basic services. Inadequate and inconsistent language access at state agencies routinely results in delays and denials of crucial services, such as emergency shelter or food stamps, simply due to communication barriers. From housing, to child welfare, to domestic violence – if we don’t address language discrimination at the agencies providing essential resources, we are leaving hundreds of thousands of families behind. 

FACT SHEET

Read CLM's Testimony on this bill.

Leads include Mass Speaks Coalition, MLRI & MA Appleseed

STATUS History: House Rules reported it favorably to HWM (10/20/25); after it was listed as having "Accompanied a study order, see H.4564"; Reported Favorably by Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight (hearing: 7/22/2025) to Committee on Joint Rules, then House Rules

- new draft S.2622; reported favorably from State Administration and Regulatory Oversight to SWM (10/6/2025)

SPONSORS:
House: Madaro, González, Montaño, Uyterhoeven, Chan, Nguyen, Owens, Garcia, Hong, Higgins, Holmes, Brady, Moakley, Ultrino, Domb, Sabadosa, Sousa, Badger, Whipps, Cabral, Connolly, LeBoeuf, Garballey, Sena, Arena-DeRosa, Davis, Gallagher, Decker, Reid, Galvin, Hendricks, Stanley, Edwards, Reyes, Gentile
Senate: DiDomenico, Lewis, Eldridge, Comerford, Keenan, Brady, Gómez, Miranda, Jehlen, Whipps, Lovely, Kennedy, Feeney, Edwards, Driscoll, Jr., Payano, Howard