Sec. 2-513. Definitions

Access shall mean to be informed of, participate in, and benefit from public services, programs, and activities offered by a covered entity at a level equal to English language proficient individuals.

Covered entity shall mean any County government agency, department, or program that furnishes information or renders services, programs, or activities directly to the public or contracts with other entities, either directly or indirectly, to conduct services, programs, or activities.

Covered entity with major public contact shall mean a covered entity whose primary responsibility consists of meeting, contacting, and dealing with the public.

Language Access Compliance Program Coordinator shall mean an employee working for the covered entity or covered entity with major public contact, responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining and overseeing all agency programs and services in compliance with the Language Access for Public Services Act of 2017, including, ensuring the agency provides meaningful access and proper communication about all programs and activities to Limited English Proficient (LEP) and Non-English Proficient (NEP) individuals and prevent language-based discrimination complaints. This position shall be in the agency's Office of the Director and should report to agency Director, or Deputy Director, and the Language Access Compliance Program Director.

Language Access Compliance Program Director shall mean the official in the Office of Human Rights who monitors the activities of the County agencies, departments, and programs undertaken to comply with the provisions of this Division in each agency.

Language Access Compliance Program Monitor (LACPM) shall mean the Language Access Compliance Program's employee in charge of monitoring covered entities' compliance with the Language Access for Public Services Act of 2017. Some of LACPM's major responsibilities are: (a) conducting language access compliance assessments, (b) providing language access technical assistance and training, (c) investigating language access public complaints, and (d) enforcement.

Language Access Compliance Program Analyst (LACPA) shall mean the Language Access Compliance Program's employee in charge of providing administrative support to the Language Access Compliance Program everyday operations. Some of LACPA's major responsibilities are: (a) receiving and providing guidance to language access inquiries from covered entities' LACPCs, (b) collecting language access data quarterly from covered agencies, (c) writing compliance reports and, (d) conducting outreach to LEP/NEP communities.

Language Access Primary and Secondary Liaisons shall mean the employees appointed by the Program Manager or Supervisor to fulfill the program's language access duties and responsibilities, and to provide support to the covered agency's Language Access Compliance Program Coordinator.

Limited English proficient (LEP) shall mean a person for whom English is not his/her primary language and who has a limited ability to speak, read, write or understand English;

Non-English proficient (NEP) refers to a person who cannot speak, read, write or understand English;

Oral language services shall mean the provision of oral information necessary to enable limited or non-English proficiency residents to access or participate in programs or services offered by a covered entity. The term "oral language services" may include placement of bilingual staff in public contact positions; the provision of experienced and trained staff interpreters; contracting with telephone interpreter programs; contracting with private interpreter services; and using interpreters made available through community service organizations that are publicly funded for that purpose.

Vital documents shall mean applications, notices, complaint forms, legal contracts, and outreach materials published by a covered entity in a tangible format that inform individuals about their rights or eligibility requirements for benefits and participation, as well as health and safety information. The term "vital documents" shall include tax related educational and outreach materials produced by the Office of Finance but shall not include tax forms and instructions.

Mass mailings shall mean materials distributed via mail to the entire County.

Language Access Rights Banner is a pull up banner that states, in the County's top 10 spoken languages, "You have the right to ask for an interpreter and get help in your language for free. If your request is denied, call the Prince George's County Office of Human Rights (OHR) at 301-883-6170 to file a complaint."

Language Identification Desktop Poster is a small poster designed to assist limited or non-English proficiency residents to identify and point out their language of preference as well as providing awareness that interpretation services are available. The poster features the County's top 20 spoken languages.