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Language Access Implementation and Compliance
Contact MOIA’s Language Access Coordinator: Young Kwon
The City of New York is committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers, regardless of the languages they speak or their English proficiency, can meaningfully access information and services offered by the NYC government.
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) oversees the implementation of Local Law 30 of 2017 (LL30) through ongoing monitoring and oversight and providing technical assistance to City agencies. LL30 anchors MOIA’s ongoing language access efforts through the following key responsibilities:
- Providing guidance to covered agencies to develop their language access implementation plans (LAIPs)
- Monitoring language access implementation through the collection and analysis of annual reports, which details progress, challenges, and achievements
- Providing targeted technical assistance to agencies for expanding language access based on community needs and service delivery patterns
In addition, LL30 established fundamental requirements for language access across City agencies. The basic requirements under LL30 mandate that each covered City agency:
- Appoints a language access coordinator
- Develops and maintain a language access implementation plan
- Provides telephonic interpretation in at least 100 languages
- Translates their most commonly distributed documents into ten designated citywide languages
- Posts signage about free interpretation services
- Meets additional requirements to ensure meaningful access to City services.
Language Access Implementation Plans (LAIPs)
A Language Access Implementation Plan outlines how each City agency will provide language access services to all New Yorkers, regardless of English proficiency. Agency Language Access Coordinators oversee the development and implementation of the plans.
View City agencies’ current Language Access Coordinators and implementation plans.
Language Access Annual Report
In compliance to Local Law 30, MOIA and the Mayor's Office of Operations submit an annual report to the New York City Council. This reporting process provides insights on agencies’ progress towards language justice and shapes MOIA’s technical assistance strategies.
Read the 2024 Language Access Annual Report. (Updated December 2024)
View past reports in the Language Access Reports Archives.
Temporary Language Guidance
Local Law 13 of 2023 requires NYC to designate “temporary languages” for urgent services to newly arrived individuals.
- MOIA has designated Wolof and Pulaar as “temporary languages.” (August 2024)
The guidance explains the current designation, outlines agency requirements, and provides best practices for implementation.
Read the Local Law 13 guidance (Updated November 2024)
Local Law 6 Report
Local Law 6 of 2023 requires the administering agency to conduct a survey of community-based organizations to assess their capacity to provide translation, interpretation, and other related language services. Local Law 6 Report includes the survey’s findings, challenges, and recommendations the City can take to remove those barriers.
Read the Local Law 6 Report (Updated January 2024)