Existing law requires a local agency that provides emergency response services to provide emergency information in English and a specified non-English language when at least five percent (5%) of the population within the agency’s jurisdiction speaks English less than “very well” and speaks the applicable non-English language. The statute relies on American Community Survey data to determine when translation is required.
AB 2341 changes how that five percent (5%) threshold is calculated. Local agencies must determine the total population within their jurisdiction that speaks English less than “very well” and then determine whether speakers of a particular language who speak English less than “very well” represent at least five percent (5%) of that population. When such threshold is met, emergency information must be provided in English and translated into that language. The law took effect immediately as an urgency statute.
Local agencies providing emergency response services should review demographic data for their jurisdiction and emergency communication protocols using the revised calculation and ensure that emergency notices are translated into each language meeting the new threshold.
AB 2341 amends section 7299.7 of the Government Code.
