Subdivision 1. State agencies; bilingual employees. Every state agency that is directly involved in furnishing information or rendering services to the public and that serves a substantial number of non-English-speaking people shall employ enough qualified bilingual persons in public contact positions, or enough interpreters to assist those in these positions, to ensure provision of information and services in the language spoken by a substantial number of non-English-speaking people.
The commissioner of administration shall determine the application of this section to each state agency, in consultation with the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, groups representing other non-English-speaking people, and the head of the agency. In determining what constitutes a substantial number of non-English-speaking people, the commissioner shall consider:
(1) the number of people served by the agency;
(2) the number of non-English-speaking people served by the agency;
(3) the frequency with which non-English-speaking people are served by the agency; and
(4) the extent to which information or services rendered by the agency affect legal rights, privileges, or duties.
Subd. 2. Translations of materials explaining agency services. Every state agency that serves a substantial number of non-English-speaking people and that provides materials in English explaining services is encouraged to provide equivalent materials in any non-English language spoken by a substantial number of the people served by the agency. An agency should give highest priority to providing in a non-English language materials that notify people of legal rights, duties, or privileges they are entitled to, and the steps they must take to obtain or maintain those rights, duties, or privileges. When notice of the availability of material explaining services available is given, orally or in writing, it should be given in English and the non-English language into which any material has been translated.
Subd. 3. Translated materials for local offices. A state agency is encouraged to provide its local offices with written materials in the appropriate foreign language when:
(1) the local office or facility serves a substantial number of non-English-speaking people;
(2) written materials such as forms, applications, questionnaires, letters, or notices are used to ask or order a person to provide information or to give a person information; and
(3) the information asked for or given could affect the person's rights, duties, or privileges with regard to the agency's services or benefits.
Subd. 4. Limitations. (a) A state agency may not dismiss an employee or increase its complement to carry out the purposes of this section. A state agency need only implement this section by filling employee public contact positions made vacant by retirement or normal attrition.
(b) This section shall be implemented to the extent permissible under federal law, civil service laws governing state agencies, and collective bargaining agreements.
1Sp1985 c 17 s 1; 1997 c 7 art 3 s 2; 2015 c 77 art 2 s 87
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 14 - 15A — State Agencies
Chapter 15 — State Agencies In General
Section 15.001 — Application Of Laws 2005, Chapter 56, Terminology Changes.
Section 15.01 — Departments Of The State.
Section 15.012 — State Agencies; Designation By Type.
Section 15.014 — Advisory Task Forces.
Section 15.0145 — Ethnic Councils.
Section 15.039 — Effect Of Transfer Of Powers Among Agencies.
Section 15.0395 — Interagency Agreements And Intra-agency Transfers.
Section 15.053 — Use Of The National Guard Education Center At Camp Ripley.
Section 15.054 — Sale Or Purchase Of State Property; Penalty.
Section 15.057 — Publicity Representatives.
Section 15.061 — Professional Or Technical Services.
Section 15.063 — Biennial Reports; Submission.
Section 15.066 — Confirmation Of Appointments.
Section 15.08 — Commissioners Of Management And Budget And Administration; Access To Records.
Section 15.082 — Obligations Of Public Corporations.
Section 15.10 — Records Delivered To Department Heads.
Section 15.16 — Transfer Of Lands Between Departments.
Section 15.161 — Acceptance Of Federal Lands Or Buildings; Consultation With Legislative Committees.
Section 15.17 — Official Records.
Section 15.18 — Distribution Of Publications.
Section 15.185 — Mailing Lists.
Section 15.191 — Imprest Cash Funds.
Section 15.31 — State Employees, Liability Insurance, Payment Of Premiums.
Section 15.38 — Noninsurance Of State Property; Exceptions.
Section 15.39 — Employment And Economic Development Department Buildings.
Section 15.40 — Lack Of Care In Keeping State Property Safe From Fire Loss, Nonfeasance In Office.
Section 15.41 — Construction Permits, Requisites.
Section 15.411 — Public Works Contracts; No Damages For Delay Clauses.
Section 15.415 — Corrections In Transactions, Waiver.
Section 15.43 — Acceptance Of Advantage By State Employee; Penalty.
Section 15.435 — Airline Travel Credit.
Section 15.44 — Aids For Persons With Disabilities At State Meetings.
Section 15.441 — Communications Services.
Section 15.60 — Public Safety Officers; American Flag.
Section 15.61 — Employment Of Unemployed And Underemployed Persons.
Section 15.62 — Athletic Leave Of Absence.
Section 15.71 — Public Contracts; Definitions.
Section 15.72 — Progress Payments On Public Contracts; Retainage.
Section 15.73 — Alternative Form Of Retainage.
Section 15.74 — Exceptions To Application.
Section 15.75 — Contracts With Regional Organizations.
Section 15.85 — Discipline For Racial Harassment.
Section 15.86 — State Agency Actions.
Section 15.87 — Victims Of Violence.
Section 15.97 — Information And Telecommunications Institute.
Section 15.98 — Indoor Ice Facilities.
Section 15.985 — Advisory Inspections.
Section 15.0575 — Administrative Boards And Agencies.
Section 15.058 — Licensing Board Members, Compensation, Terms, Removal, Reports.
Section 15.059 — Advisory Councils And Committees.
Section 15.0591 — Representative Of Older Population.
Section 15.0593 — Agencies Created By Executive Order.
Section 15.0594 — Commissioner's Approval Required.
Section 15.0595 — Compensation And Per Diem; Source Of Funds.
Section 15.0596 — Additional Compensation From Contingent Fund Prohibited.
Section 15.0597 — Appointments To Multimember Agencies.
Section 15.0598 — Exceptions To Open Appointments.
Section 15.0599 — Registration Of Multimember Agencies.
Section 15.06 — Appointment Of Department Heads; Terms; Deputies.
Section 15.46 — Preventive Health Services For Public Employees.
Section 15.472 — Fees And Expenses; Civil Action Or Contested Case Proceeding Involving State.
Section 15.473 — Payment Of Costs And Fees.
Section 15.474 — Procedure For Award Of Fees; Contested Case.
Section 15.51 — Declaration Of Policy.
Section 15.53 — Authority To Interchange Employees.
Section 15.54 — Status Of Employees Of This State.
Section 15.55 — Travel Expenses Of Employees Of This State.
Section 15.56 — Status Of Employees Of Other Governments.
Section 15.57 — Travel Expenses Of Employees Of Other Governments.
Section 15.58 — Agreements Between Federal And Receiving Agencies.
Section 15.59 — Employee Interchange Between State And Private Industry.
Section 15.99 — Time Deadline For Agency Action.
Section 15.991 — Customer Service.