WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SHB 2475

HB 2475: Language access

Concerning language accessible public programs, activities, and services conducted, operated, or administered by state agencies.

Summary

  • Requires the Office of Equity to, by December 1, 2027, develop uniform guidelines for state agencies to provide for consistent delivery of language-accessible public programs, activities, and services in a manner that meets the needs of its participants.
  • Requires state agencies to report to the Office of Equity and the Office of Financial Management by June 30, 2028, on how the agency will implement the Office of Equity's guidelines, a timeline for implementation, and additional resources that may be needed to implement the guidelines.
  • Requires the Office of Equity to, by December 1, 2027, collaborate with certain groups to develop a proposal for addressing the statewide shortage of qualified spoken and sign language interpreters and translators.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SHB 2475), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 142, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 14, 2026
  2. Out of committeeFeb 9, 2026
  3. Passed HouseFeb 16, 2026
  4. Passed SenateMar 5, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 23, 2026
  6. LawMar 23, 2026
Prime sponsor
Lillian Ortiz-Self (D-21)
Introduced
January 14, 2026 in the House
Last action
March 23, 2026
Session law
Chapter 142, Laws of 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 2475, SHB 2475

AN ACT Relating to providing language accessible public programs, activities, and services conducted, operated, or administered by state agencies;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Lillian Ortiz-Self (D-21)

17 co-sponsors (17 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Sharlett Mena D-29Mary Fosse D-38Cindy Ryu D-32Sharon Tomiko Santos D-37Tarra Simmons D-23Janice Zahn D-41Lisa Parshley D-22My-Linh Thai D-41Osman Salahuddin D-48Alex Ramel D-40Mia Gregerson D-33Beth Doglio D-22Julio Cortes D-38Edwin Obras D-33Natasha Hill D-3Brianna Thomas D-34Lauren Davis D-32

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 16, 2026
Version voted on: SHB 2475
62 Yea 33 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58001
Republican43302
How each member voted

Yea (62)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 5, 2026
Version voted on: SHB 2475
30 Yea 17 Nay 1 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29001
Republican11710
How each member voted

Absent (1)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026. (SHB 2475)
  2. Chapter 142, 2026 Laws. (SHB 2475)
  3. Governor signed. (SHB 2475)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SHB 2475)
  5. President signed. (SHB 2475)
  6. Speaker signed. (SHB 2475)
  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 17; absent, 1; excused, 1. (SHB 2475)
  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 2475)
  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SHB 2475)
  10. Minority; without recommendation. (SHB 2475)
  11. WM - Majority; do pass. (SHB 2475)
  12. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SHB 2475)
  13. Referred to Ways & Means. (SHB 2475)
  14. And refer to Ways & Means. (SHB 2475)
  15. Minority; without recommendation. (SHB 2475)
  16. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 2475)
  17. SGTE - Majority; do pass. (SHB 2475)
  18. First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections. (SHB 2475)
  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 62; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 3. (SHB 2475)
  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 2475)
  21. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SHB 2475)
  22. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  23. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SHB 2475)
  24. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  25. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SHB 2475)
  26. APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by State Government & Tribal Relations. (SHB 2475)
  27. Minority; without recommendation. (SHB 2475)
  28. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 2475)
  29. APP - Executive action taken by committee. (SHB 2475)
  30. APP - Executive action taken by committee.
  31. Minority; do not pass.
  32. Minority; without recommendation.
  33. APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by State Government & Tribal Relations.
  34. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  35. SGOV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 2475)
  36. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 2475)
  37. Referred to Appropriations. (SHB 2475)
  38. Referred to Appropriations.
  39. Minority; do not pass.
  40. SGOV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  41. SGOV - Executive action taken by committee.
  42. First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.

HB 2475 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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