To improve language access for public school students and families with limited English proficiency, the legislature intends to:
(1) Create language access lighthouse collaboratives on each side of the state that will develop best practices for providing language assistance services, including identifying and building on opportunities to leverage community-based resources and advances in technology, to facilitate effective communication between educators and families with limited English proficiency.
(2) Direct the superintendent of public instruction to develop tools and resources that public schools can use to expand, in an effective manner, the availability of quality interpretation and translation services.
(3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall convene a language access advisory committee to develop tools and recommendations to improve language access for public school students and families with limited English proficiency.
(4) The health care authority shall collaborate with the office of the superintendent of public instruction and interested schools, school districts, and educational service districts to implement procedures to claim federal reimbursement for the costs of Medicaid administrative activities, including interpreter-related services, performed in the school setting.
