This bill, known as the Helping All Beneficiaries with Language Access Act of 2025, seeks to codify Executive Order 13166, establishing a legal mandate for federal agencies to provide language access services. It requires each federal agency to develop a plan to improve access to its federally conducted programs and activities for eligible individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP), ensuring meaningful access consistent with existing LEP Guidance. These plans must be developed and implemented within 120 days and submitted to the Department of Justice, with final versions published on agency websites. Additionally, the legislation mandates that agencies providing federal financial assistance draft specific guidance for their recipients to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 regarding national origin discrimination affecting LEP persons. This agency-specific guidance must detail how general standards from the Department of Justice's LEP Guidance will be applied, considering the types of services and individuals served. Agencies must submit this guidance to the Department of Justice for review and approval within 120 days, followed by publication in the Federal Register for public comment. Crucially, agencies are required to engage in consultations with stakeholders, including LEP persons and their representative organizations, to ensure the developed approaches are practical, effective, and fiscally responsible.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Government Operations and Politics
HABLA Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-3238| House
| Updated: 5/7/2025
This bill, known as the Helping All Beneficiaries with Language Access Act of 2025, seeks to codify Executive Order 13166, establishing a legal mandate for federal agencies to provide language access services. It requires each federal agency to develop a plan to improve access to its federally conducted programs and activities for eligible individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP), ensuring meaningful access consistent with existing LEP Guidance. These plans must be developed and implemented within 120 days and submitted to the Department of Justice, with final versions published on agency websites. Additionally, the legislation mandates that agencies providing federal financial assistance draft specific guidance for their recipients to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 regarding national origin discrimination affecting LEP persons. This agency-specific guidance must detail how general standards from the Department of Justice's LEP Guidance will be applied, considering the types of services and individuals served. Agencies must submit this guidance to the Department of Justice for review and approval within 120 days, followed by publication in the Federal Register for public comment. Crucially, agencies are required to engage in consultations with stakeholders, including LEP persons and their representative organizations, to ensure the developed approaches are practical, effective, and fiscally responsible.