Senate Bill 4512
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Equal Access to Information Act of 2020
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Aug 6, 2020
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
4512
Congress
116
Policy Area
Government Operations and Politics
Government Operations and Politics
Primary focus of measure is government administration, including agency organization, contracting, facilities and property, information management and services; rulemaking and administrative law; elections and political activities; government employees and officials; Presidents; ethics and public participation; postal service. Measures concerning agency appropriations and the budget process may fall under Economics and Public Finance policy area.
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary
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.
August 6, 2020
08/06/2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
08/06/2020
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:45:17 PM