§ 52:14-41 — Executive Branch, State government entity, direct services to the public, translate vital documents, information; definitions.

2. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, each State government entity in the Executive Branch that provides direct services to the public shall translate vital documents and information, including public documents such as forms and instructions provided to or completed by program beneficiaries or participants, pursuant to the provisions of this act, P.L.2023, c.263 (C.52:14-40 et seq.). The translations of vital documents and information shall be in at least the seven most common non-English languages spoken by individuals with limited-English proficiency in this State, based on United States Census Bureau American Community Survey data, and shall be relevant to services offered by each State government entity. The translations required under this section shall be implemented on a rolling basis and shall be completed no later than 12 months after the effective date of this act for the five most common languages, and not later than 23 months after the effective date of this act for the additional two most common languages and any other languages deemed necessary by the State government entity based on the populations served by the entity, except that any documents related to a public health emergency or state of emergency declared by the Governor after the effective date of this act shall be translated immediately. b. As used in this act: "Cultural competence" means and includes the understanding that different populations and communities are impacted differently by historical bias, racism, and other forms of discrimination and stigmatization. Cultural competence also includes self-awareness of how one's own needs, values, practices, and verbal and nonverbal communication styles may impact others. "Interpretation" means the oral translation of information from one language into another. "Limited English proficiency" means that a person speaks, reads, writes, or understands the English language less than "very well," in accordance with Census Bureau data, and as self-reported by that person to the State government entity. "State government entity" means any State department or agency in the Executive Branch and any commission, board, bureau, division, office, or instrumentality thereof providing direct services to the public. "Translation" means the conversion of written words from one language to another in a manner that conveys the intent and essential meaning of the original text and communication. "Translation" does not mean the use of automatic electronic translation services. "Translation" may include professional translation software, provided the State government entity conducts a quality control to ensure that the software has correctly translated the documents. "Vital documents" means documents that affect or provide legal information about access to, retention of, termination of, or exclusion from program services or benefits; which are required by law; or which explain legal rights. "Vital documents" include, but are not limited to: applications; consent forms; complaint forms; intake forms; letters or notices pertaining to eligibility for services or benefits; and letters or notices pertaining to rights or to the reduction, denial, or termination of services or benefits or that require a response from the person who has limited English proficiency. "Vital documents" shall not include vital records or certified copies thereof, such as birth certificates, death certificates, or marriage licenses, or government-issued forms of identification, such as driver's licenses or non-driver identification cards; or newsletters, data reports, and releases when such newsletters, data reports, and releases are unrelated to program services or benefits. L.2023, c.263, s.2.