{"id":3637,"date":"2022-03-23T09:46:52","date_gmt":"2022-03-23T16:46:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/orwall\/?p=3637"},"modified":"2025-04-21T09:51:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T16:51:14","slug":"legislative-news-inslee-signs-orwalls-language-access-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/orwall\/2022\/03\/23\/legislative-news-inslee-signs-orwalls-language-access-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"LEGISLATIVE NEWS: Inslee signs Orwall\u2019s Language Access bill"},"content":{"rendered":"

OLYMPIA \u2013 This afternoon, in a virtual bill signing ceremony, Governor Jay Inslee enacted\u00a0House Bill 1153<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0into law. The measure, authored by\u00a0Rep. Tina Orwall<\/a><\/strong>, will help close equity gaps in Washington\u2019s public schools by establishing a language access program for culturally responsive family engagement within the state\u2019s education system.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has been a very long journey and, while I am proud and truly happy that we finally reached our goal, I am first and foremost grateful for the community\u2019s invaluable support and encouragement over years of perseverance, and for the solid partnerships established with colleagues in both chambers and both caucuses,\u201d said the Des Moines Democrat.<\/p>\n

Orwall pointed out that some school districts in Washington have over 137 languages spoken in their students\u2019 homes and that the bill stemmed from a meeting, five years ago, with parents who were left out of their kids\u2019 education, children who had to interpret for teachers, and interpreters who didn\u2019t have the resources to help students succeed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, there was a very real need and a strong case for this legislation. Today\u2019s accomplishment is owed to so many people and so much work, and what it represents is hope for parents who will have a path paved with the supports and services necessary for them to become active players in their children\u2019s education,\u201d added Orwall.<\/p>\n

The measure embraces best practices to assist school districts on ways to better serve families with language access needs. It will provide a credential process and training program for interpreters. The language access program will train interpreters on the specific language and programs used within the education system so they can communicate effectively with families. The bill directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to develop language access program standards and a credentialing process, and to collaborate on ways to support more interpreters and language access coordinators in school settings.<\/p>\n

HB 1153 passed the House on an 83-13 vote in early February and the Senate on a 43-5 vote on March 2, after amending it to delay implementation by one year and exempting school districts that have fewer than 1,000 enrolled students and less than 10 percent English learner enrollment. The House concurred 86-12 with the Senate changes on March 8.<\/p>\n

Orwall\u2019s legislation will:<\/strong><\/p>\n