Learn About the NJ Language Access Law

Overview of New Jersey Public Law 2023, Chapter 263 P.L. 2023, c.263

The state of New Jersey passed P.L. 2023, c.263, also known as the “New Jersey Language Access Law" (“law”). The law

requires each State government agency within the Executive Branch that provides direct services to the public to “provide for the translation of certain documents and services in languages other than English.”

This requirement applies to a range of interactions, including accessing information and services, applying for programs, maintaining or receiving benefits, completing forms, addressing service or program terminations, participating in meetings, and engaging in other agency-related activities.

The law applies to State entities in the Executive Branch that provide direct services to the public, also called “Covered Entities.” 

Read the law here!

Each State Covered Entity is required to:

The Language Access Coordinator is responsible for creating and updating the Language Access Plan, ensuring it’s followed, implementing the law and making sure that language assistance services are provided effectively. 

A Language Access Plan should explain, among other things, how the entity is: 

  • Provides language assistance services.
  • Monitors the population with limited proficiency in English and Identifies their language needs.
  • Tracks how often language assistance services are requested and how those were handled. Procedures for documenting services provided
  • Trains employees in language access policies and how to provide language assistance services.
  • Shares Information on how the public can contact the entity’s language access coordinator.
  • Lists the titles of all available translated documents and the languages into which they have been translated
  • Plans to deliver high-quality, culturally competent language assistance services.
  • Conducts annual internal monitoring to ensure compliance with the law. 

Covered Entities must provide translation and interpreting services as required by law and as outlined in their Language Access Plans. 

  • Translation of vital documents and information into seven (7) languages most commonly spoken by individuals with limited English proficiency in New Jersey.
  • Interpreting between the entity and an individual in their primary language regarding the provision of services or benefits.  
    • Each Covered Entity can provide these services as outlined in their Language Access Plan, which may include in person by a qualified interpreter, phone or video interpreting services.

Covered Entities must: 

  • Display posters and visual signage in visible areas at service locations to inform the public about available language interpreting and translation services available and their right to access them.
  • Be available in at least seven (7) of the most commonly spoken languages by individuals with LEP in the State.  

Top Languages Spoken by Individuals with Limited English Proficiency in New Jersey  (ACS 2022)

Rank Statewide North Central South Refugee Resettlement Program
1 Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Haitian Creole
2 Portuguese1 Portuguese1 Gujarati Vietnamese Farsi
3 Korean Korean Chinese2 Portuguese Pashto
4 Gujarati French or Haitian Creole Portuguese Chinese1 Russian
5 Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)2 Arabic Polish Filipino, Tagalog Ukrainian
6 French Creole or Haitian Creole Chinese1 Russian Korean Arabic
7 Arabic Polish Mandarin   Swahili
8 Polish Gujarati Arabic    
9 Russian Russian Punjabi (Eastern and Western)    
10 Vietnamese Filipino, Tagalog Korean    
11 Italian Italian French or Haitian Creole    
12 Filipino, Tagalog Vietnamese Italian    
13 Mandarin Bengali Urdu    
14 Bengali Turkish Vietnamese    
15 Turkish Hindi Cantonese    

1. The language requirements should be interpreted as referring to Brazilian Portuguese, based on the characteristics of the majority of the Portuguese-speaking community living in New Jersey.

2. For written translation, recommendation is to translate to both simplified and traditional Chinese.

3. Specific localities or programs may serve specific communities with limited English proficiency that are not represented in the statewide top languages list. For example, the Department of Human Services’ Refugee Resettlement Program.

Language should not be a barrier to:

  • Understanding information shared by State agencies
  • Navigating government programs or accessing vital documents
  • Applying for public benefits and services
  • Staying informed about public initiatives and updates

When information is clear and accessible, individuals can fully engage with government programs and resources.

The Language Access Law helps make this possible by guiding Covered Entities in effectively communicating with New Jersey’s diverse communities.