2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 2 - LEGISLATIVE (§§ 2-1-100.5 — 2-7-205) › LEGISLATIVE SERVICES (§§ 2-3-101 — 2-3-2004) › Article 3 - LEGISLATIVE SERVICES (§§ 2-3-101 — 2-3-2004) › Part 20 - LANGUAGE ACCESS ADVISORY BOARD (§§ 2-3-2001 — 2-3-2004) › Section 2-3-2003 - Language access advisory board - powers and duties - report

(1)
(a)
The purpose of the advisory board is to study and make recommendations for improving meaningful access to the legislative process for populations with limited English proficiency.
(b)
In completing the study required by this part 20, the advisory board shall, at a minimum:
(I)
Identify current language-related barriers to the legislative process for state residents with limited English proficiency;
(II)
Examine the success of current language access measures relating to the legislative process;
(III)
Consider the development of a language access plan covering the general assembly and the legislative process;
(IV)
Evaluate options for oral interpretation and written translation of legislative activities, including:
(A)
The interpretation of committee hearings, public testimony, and floor proceedings;
(B)
The translation of written publications of the general assembly, including legislative documents and materials, and the general assembly website;
(C)
Whether interpretation should be simultaneous or consecutive;
(D)
Whether translation and interpretation services should be provided by legislative staff or a third party; and
(E)
Necessary qualifications or other requirements for individuals providing translation or interpretation services; and
(V)
Assess language access concerning the ballot information booklet, required pursuant to section 1-40-124.5 and section 1 of article V of the state constitution, including:
(A)
Solutions to make the ballot information booklet more accessible to state residents with limited English proficiency;
(B)
Methods for determining the languages into which the ballot information booklet is translated;
(C)
Methods of distribution to best serve communities of state residents with limited English proficiency;
(D)
Monetary and publication-related constraints; and
(E)
The impact of federal and state constitutional requirements.
(c)
In completing the study, the advisory board:
(I)
Shall conduct at least one public comment session for the public to provide input regarding language access to the legislative process;
(II)
May conduct additional public comment sessions or engage with the community through interviews and other methods designed to garner public input and comment; and
(III)
Shall allow subject matter experts to participate in advisory board discussions upon invitation from the advisory board and, at a minimum, shall solicit input from:
(A)
The secretary of state or the secretary of state's designee;
(B)
A representative of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe;
(C)
A representative of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe; and
(D)
A representative for county clerks of the state.
(2)
On or before December 15, 2024, the advisory board shall submit a report to the executive committee of the legislative council that includes a summary of the work accomplished by the advisory board, the findings of the study, and any legislative recommendations to the general assembly concerning matters studied by the advisory board.
Added by 2024 Ch. 271,§ 1, eff. 5/28/2024.