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S 4512 116th Congress Senate Government Operations and Politics Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies Disability and health-based discrimination Disability assistance Emergency medical services and trauma care Foreign language and bilingual programs Government information and archives Government studies and investigations Health technology, devices, supplies Infectious and parasitic diseases

Equal Access to Information Act of 2020

Introduced: August 6, 2020 See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 6, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Aug 6, 2020
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Equal Access to Information Act of 2020

This bill requires federal agencies to take specified steps to ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities can access the services, activities, programs, and benefits of those agencies, particularly during national or public health emergencies or under other specified circumstances.

Specifically, each federal agency shall, within specified timeframes

  • conduct demographic assessments of individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities who are eligible to be served or likely to be encountered by that agency,
  • establish within the agency a Language Access Working Group,
  • prepare and submit to the Department of Justice (DOJ) an access plan for federally conducted programs and activities, and
  • issue guidance for recipients of federal financial assistance under the agency's jurisdiction.

DOJ shall review (1) each plan submitted within 120 days after receipt of the plan, and (2) the most recently submitted plan from each relevant agency not later than 7 days after an emergency has been declared.

Agencies shall ensure stakeholder input to ensure meaningful access.

What's happening now August 6, 2020

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 3