Federal Laws and Policies Guiding Limited English Proficiency Plans

Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act

This act states that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance (refer to 23 CFR 200.9 and 49 CFR 21). The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 broadened the scope of Title VI coverage by expanding the definition of the terms “programs or activities” to include all programs or activities of Federal Aid recipients, sub-recipients, and contractors, whether such programs and activities are federally assisted or not (Public Law 100259 [S. 557] March 22, 1988).

Executive Order 13166: Improving Access to Service for Persons with Limited English Proficiency

Clarifies the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with regards to accessibility of federal programs and services to persons who are not proficient in the English language. This executive order stated that individuals who do not speak, read, write, or understand English well are entitled to language assistance under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with respect to a particular type of service, benefit, or encounter.

 Limited English Proficiency Plan - Approved on November 23, 2021