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2022 SESSION

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22102238D
HOUSE BILL NO. 1070 Offered January 12, 2022 Prefiled January 12, 2022 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 15.2 a chapter numbered 24.4, consisting of sections numbered 15.2-2441 through 15.2-2445, relating to Fund to Assist Localities with Translation of Essential Information. ---------- Patrons-- Cordoza and Shin ---------- Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 15.2 a chapter numbered 24.4, consisting of sections numbered 15.2-2441 through 15.2-2445, as follows:

CHAPTER 24.4. FUND TO ASSIST LOCALITIES WITH TRANSLATION OF ESSENTIAL INFORMATION.

§ 15.2-2441. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Board" means the Board of Housing and Community Development.

"Department" means the Department of Housing and Community Development.

"Fund" means the Fund to Assist Localities with Translation of Essential Information created by this chapter.

"Local government" or "locality" means any county, city, or town in the Commonwealth and may also include the constitutional offices of such localities.

§ 15.2-2442. Creation and management of the Fund to Assist Localities with Translation of Essential Information.

There is hereby established in the state treasury a permanent and perpetual fund to be known as Fund to Assist Localities with Translation of Essential Information. The Fund shall consist of sums appropriated to the Fund by the General Assembly, sums that may be allocated to the Commonwealth for this purpose by the United States government, all interest earned on moneys in the Fund, and any other sums designated for deposit to the Fund from any source, public or private. The Fund is created to address problems  associated with the lack of translated documents for those citizens and taxpayers of the Commonwealth and its localities for whom English is a second language. The Fund shall make grants to local governments for the purpose of translating essential documents into foreign languages.

The Fund shall be administered and managed by the Department as prescribed in this chapter. The Department may disburse from the Fund reasonable costs and expenses incurred in administration and management of the Fund.

§ 15.2-2443. Audit.

The Auditor of Public Accounts or his legally authorized representatives shall audit the accounts of the Fund as determined necessary by the Auditor of Public Accounts in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and the cost of such auditing services shall be borne by the Fund.

§ 15.2-2444. Grants.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, moneys in the Fund shall be used to make grants to local governments to pay for the expense of translating essential information, including information related to (i) the payment of bills, taxes, and fees; (ii) local ordinances; (iii) applications for local services; (iv) schools; (v) health and safety; and (vi) other essential information and documents as determined by the locality.

The Board shall develop guidelines for the administration of the grant program established by this chapter.

§ 15.2-2445. Reports.

On or before September 30 of each year, each local government recipient shall report to the Department on the status of all efforts to translate such information.