The New Jersey State Bar Association supports A-3837 (Jaffer)/S-2459 (Ruiz), which requires State government entities to provide vital documents and translation services in the fifteen most common non-English languages.
The Association supports this proposed legislation because it expands access to services for New Jersey residents. The bill ensures that State government entities that provide direct services to the public translate vital documents and information in the fifteen most common non-English languages spoken by individuals with limited-English proficiency in New Jersey. This is an important measure that provides much-needed accessibility for New Jerseyans who are eligible for state benefits and/or services, but are unable to complete the forms because of limited-English proficiency. The NJSBA is mindful that as the need for additional languages increases, this should be expanded as necessary.
For the reasons set forth above, the New Jersey State Bar Association supports A-3837/S-2459 and urges you to vote yes to this legislation.