BOSTON\u2014This past year, lawmakers have filed a variety of bills pointing to language barriers among state services, calling for an expansion of non-English language resources for residents with limited English proficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On September 13\u2014days before the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month\u2014the State House held a celebration where Governor Maura Healey signed Executive Order #615<\/a> that looks to address language barriers within the state government and officially declared Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in Massachusetts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The order requires executive department agencies to develop Language Access Plans, which will outline strategies for increasing accessibility and equitability across governmental operations, over the next few months. Agencies also need to identify language access coordinators within 30 days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEveryone in Massachusetts, regardless of what language they speak, deserves equitable access to government services and resources, but we recognize that language often poses a major barrier,\u201d Governor Healey said in a statement<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One in four residents across Massachusetts speak a language other than English, according to Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is essential that we are setting people up for success by ensuring that they are able to read and engage with information provided by their state government,\u201d Driscoll commented. \u201cThis Executive Order will help us work to ensure that all residents have the chance to get their questions answered and interact with their government in a way they understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joined by Latino Advisory Council members, Healey formally signed the proclamation and order during a Latino Empowerment Council Meeting that featured Boston\u2019s Veronica Robles\u2019 all-female mariachi band and diplomatic visits from Consul generals from Mexico, Colombia, and Honduras. Healey\u2019s office released the executive order in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGovernment is no good if people can\u2019t use it, if people aren\u2019t able to access it,\u201d Healey said at the event. \u201cAnd we don\u2019t want a language barrier to be a reason that people aren\u2019t able to get the services or access government in the way that they\u2019re entitled to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Publisher\u2019s Note:<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong>This story is an aggregate from GBH<\/a> and 22 News<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BOSTON\u2014This past year, lawmakers have filed a variety of bills pointing to language barriers among state services, calling for an 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