H.R. 8682 · 116th Congress
Equal Access to Information Act of 2020
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 116th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
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This bill requires federal agencies to take specified steps to ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities can access the services, activities, programs, and benefits of those agencies, particularly during national or public health emergencies or under other specified circumstances.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Oct 23, 2020
Equal Access to Information Act of 2020
This bill requires federal agencies to take specified steps to ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities can access the services, activities, programs, and benefits of those agencies, particularly during national or public health emergencies or under other specified circumstances.
Specifically, each federal agency shall, within specified timeframes
- conduct demographic assessments of individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities who are eligible to be served or likely to be encountered by that agency,
- establish within the agency a Language Access Working Group,
- prepare and submit to the Department of Justice (DOJ) an access plan for federally conducted programs and activities, and
- issue guidance for recipients of federal financial assistance under the agency's jurisdiction.
DOJ shall review (1) each plan submitted within 120 days after receipt of the plan, and (2) the most recently submitted plan from each relevant agency not later than 7 days after an emergency has been declared.
Agencies shall ensure stakeholder input to ensure meaningful access.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Equal Access to Information Act of 2020
Latest action (Oct 23, 2020): Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics · Origin: House · Introduced: Oct 23, 2020
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.