BILL NUMBER: S4716

SPONSOR: HOYLMAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the state technology law, in relation to requiring the
office of information technology services to cooperate with other state
agencies in the implementation of language translation technology

 
PURPOSE:

To ensure that New York State agency websites, and particularly those
that offer information about COVID-19 or programs, benefits or services
related to COVID-19, are easily translatable into the most common non-
English languages spoken by New Yorkers.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill amends section 101 of the State Technology Law by
adding definitions of "state agency," "state agency website," and "user"
for the purposes of Article 1 ("Office of Information Technology
              

Services").

Section 2 of the bill amends section 103 of the State Technology Law
("Functions, powers and duties of the office") to require the Office of
Information Technology Services to assist state agencies in implementing
language translation technology on their websites within 30 days for all
sites containing information about COVID-19 or programs, benefits or
services related to COVID-19. The language translation technology must
allow users to translate the text of the website into at least the
twelve most common non-English languages spoken by individuals with
limited-English proficiency in the State of New York. All other state
agency websites would be required to incorporate such technology within
90 days.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In 2011, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order  26, an important measure
to ensure that New York State agencies establish language access plans,
translate vital documents, and provide interpretation services for at
least the six most common non-English languages spoken by individuals
with limited English proficiency in the State of New York, based on
United States Census data.

In spite of Executive Order  26, the vast majority of State agency
websites do not offer users an easy to use on-page translation option.
The lack of such an option makes navigating important agency information
difficult for New Yorkers with limited English proficiency. This is
especially a problem during the COVID-19 pandemic, when New Yorkers rely
on State agencies for vital public health information about the virus,
safety protocols, testing, and the vaccine.

As of January 29, 2021, the New York State Department of Health's
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility site (am-i-eligi-
ble.covidl9vaccine.healthy.ny.gov) does feature an option to easily
translate the page into one of the six most common non-English
languages. Unfortunately, a similar option does not exist for DOH's main
COVID-19 website (covidl9vaccine.health.ny.gov) or virtually any other
COVID-related site.
Recognizing the immediacy of the COVID-19 public health crisis, this
legislation would require New York State agency websites to incorporate
language translation technology for at least the 12 most-spoken non-
English languages on all COVID-19-related websites within 30 days of the
bill's signing. All other state agency websites would be required to
follow suit in no more than 90 days.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None, new bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.