Q&A
Timeframe for reassessing and designating languages for access services
2:35:39
·
3 min
Council Member Alexa Avilés presses for information on the timeframe for reassessing and designating languages for access services. Kenneth Lo and Lorena Lucero explain the current situation and challenges.
- Local Law 30 does not specify a timeframe for redesignating languages
- The state law requires reassessment every 10 years, but NYC's local law doesn't have a set timeframe
- MOIA is working on aligning with state designations but doesn't have a definitive timeline
- The lack of a specific timeframe in the law is cited as a reason for not setting a concrete date
- Council Member Avilés expresses concern about the indefinite timeline and urges for more concrete action
- MOIA acknowledges the need to revisit both the rubric and the frequency of language designation
Alexa Avilés
2:35:39
And is there a time frame when you will complete that assessment and designation?
Kenneth Lo
2:35:47
Well, I think that is that's the crux of patient work.
2:35:52
Language of local law 30, the law does not specify when languages need to be redesignated.
2:36:03
State law says every 10 years.
2:36:07
Local authority does not designate a time frame.
Alexa Avilés
2:36:10
Right.
2:36:10
But you know that the state is on a different trajectory and has identified 12.
2:36:16
We've been stuck on 10.
2:36:18
We're looking at the data, are we going to land somewhere at some point, or are we just going to continue to say the law doesn't stipulate a finite date, so we're just going to be a limbo.
Kenneth Lo
2:36:32
I think there's I think we would like to get clarity into the law so that we can do that.
Alexa Avilés
2:36:40
So you you don't think the city should make a determination whether the 10 languages remain the designated languages, we should we should continue on or that needs to be revisited because the data is telling you something different, and the state has expanded that.
Kenneth Lo
2:37:02
I think, you know, the we want to follow local authority, the languages.
2:37:11
Certainly, it's an established baseline for the most commonly distributed documents.
2:37:21
This will be the first time that there would be a a change, and we wanna take the opportunity to sort of rectify or prefer date to align with other designations, which were not in place at the time of a local law 30s passage, OREO 120 to support any transition to a more sort of effective way.
Alexa Avilés
2:37:52
Okay.
2:37:53
I I think I think we're on similar we're on parallel tracks.
2:37:58
It's you what I'm hearing is you are working to align, but you have no definitive time frame with which to make that designation because the law does not require you to do so.
2:38:13
Is that correct?
Kenneth Lo
2:38:15
Yes.
2:38:16
That's that's correct.
2:38:17
The line doesn't require slim
Alexa Avilés
2:38:19
So you're not defining a date because the law has not told you a specific date, but you're working on alignment with an indefinite time frame.
Kenneth Lo
2:38:29
Well, as mentioned previously, there are a number of aspects to local authority that we would love to discuss with counsel to get And then
Alexa Avilés
2:38:41
So you gotta be really specific and make sure put in time frames because agencies can't determine that on their own.
2:38:50
I I understand.
2:38:51
Okay.
2:38:53
Last question.
2:38:54
If I may just add these.
