Michigan has important new protections that ensure the language a person speaks does not limit their access to state services, including public benefits. The Michigan Poverty Law Program is partnering with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) to ensure individuals and advocates know about these rights and how to enforce them.
Background
After 10 years of advocacy by the MIRC and partner organizations, Michigan adopted the Meaningful Language Access to State Services Act and Statewide Meaningful Language Access Coordination Act, which took effect in 2024. The laws require that when an individual with limited English proficiency seeks services from a state entity (like the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or Michigan Secretary of State):
- State entities must provide free oral language services through in-person or telephonic language service. Family members or friends can’t be a substitute for professional interpretation unless the person who needs language access so chooses.
- Important documents like those that provide information necessary to access or participate in services must be translated into any language spoken by at least 3% of the population or 500 people served by the office, and the law encourages offices to translate documents where fewer people speak a particular language based on knowledge of community needs.
The laws also create a mechanism for individuals who do not receive language access to submit complaints to both the Office of Global Michigan and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.
Resources
In partnership with MIRC, MPLP delivered a training for service providers and attorneys and created summaries of the new laws and their protections. These resources are especially important for legal aid attorneys, who often help individuals obtain state benefits, including food assistance and Medicaid.
MIRC and MPLP have also created:
- A letter individuals can give to state agencies to request the language access services they need,
- A letter legal aid attorneys can quickly adapt to request services when they are representing individuals with limited English proficiency, and
- An “I Speak” booklet to help people indicate which language they speak when accessing services.
MPLP looks forward to continuing to work to make these important protections real and encourages advocates to reach out to Public Benefits Law Attorney Elly Jordan with questions and to share their clients’ experiences with the new law.