Int. No. 771-A
By Council Members Lee, Ung, Krishnan, Joseph, Gennaro, Brewer, Won, Hudson, Zhuang, Louis, Schulman, Restler, Cabán, Narcisse, Hanif and Mealy
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring distribution of information regarding interpretation and translation services
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Title 21-A of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new chapter 36 to read as follows:
Chapter 36
Distribution of Information Regarding Interpretation AND TRANSLATION Services
§ 21-1007 Distribution of information regarding interpretation and translation services. a. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
Home language. The term “home language” means the language most frequently used in the student's home, as indicated by the response provided by the parent or person in parental relation on the home language questionnaire as that term is defined in section 154-2.2 of title 8 of the New York codes, rules and regulations, regarding services for English language learners, or a successor provision.
School. The term “school” means a school of the city school district of the city of New York.
b. No later than February 1, 2025, and by September 15 in each academic year thereafter, the department shall distribute to each school, to be distributed to the parents of each student attending such school, the following information, in writing, in hard copy, or electronically if distribution of other similar documents occurs electronically, using plain and simple language:
1. The interpretation and translation services offered by the department to parents;
2. Information on how to access such services;
3. Examples of how such services may be used by parents, including, but not limited to, using such services to communicate with school staff and to obtain special education services for their student; and
4. Any other information that the department determines could increase awareness and understanding of the availability and use of such services.
c. The information required to be distributed pursuant to subdivision b of this section shall be made available in English, the 9 most common home languages of students enrolled in schools, and any additional languages as determined by the department.
§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.
Session 13
NJF
LS # 8786
10/15/24 6:38pm
Session 12
BM
LS # 8786
2/8/23 11:00am