WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                          H.B. 982

(A)     (1) ENGLISH IS RECOGNIZED AS THE OFFICIAL COMMON LANGUAGE OF
GOVERNMENT OF THIS STATE.

(2) AS THE OFFICIAL COMMON LANGUAGE OF THE STATE, ENGLISH IS
THE LANGUAGE OF GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS AND ACTIONS.

(B)     THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION APPLY TO:

(1)      THE LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE, AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES OF
GOVERNMENT; AND

(2)      THE STATE AND EACH POLITICAL SUBDIVISION AND MUNICIPAL
CORPORATION OF STATE, INCLUDING EACH DEPARTMENT, AGENCY, UNIT,
ORGANIZATION, AND INSTRUMENTALITY THEREOF.

(C)     EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION, AN ENTITY
SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL:

(1)      WRITE AND PUBLISH EACH OFFICIAL DOCUMENT IN ENGLISH; AND

(2)      CONDUCT EACH MEETING AND OTHER OFFICIAL ORAL
COMMUNICATION IT AUTHORIZES IN ENGLISH.

(D)     THE STATE AND EACH POLITICAL SUBDIVISION AND MUNICIPAL
CORPORATION OF THE STATE MAY CONDUCT ITS AFFAIRS IN A LANGUAGE OTHER
THAN ENGLISH TO:

(1)      COMPLY WITH FEDERAL LAW;

(2)      PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY;

(3)      PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CIVIL LITIGANTS, CRIMINAL
DEFENDANTS, OR VICTIMS OF CRIME;

(4)      ASSIST STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT PROFICIENT IN THE ENGLISH
LANGUAGE BY GIVING EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION WHICH PROVIDES AS RAPID AS
POSSIBLE A TRANSITION TO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE;

(5) PROVIDE INTERPRETATION FOR DEAF INDIVIDUALS IN AMERICAN
SIGN LANGUAGE;

(5) (6) TEACH A FOREIGN LANGUAGE; OR

(6) (7) PROMOTE THE ARTS, INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE, OR
TOURISM; OR

(7) (8) ASSIST PERSONS NOT PROFICIENT IN ENGLISH IN THE
CONDUCT OF LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS.

(E)     THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO REQUIRE THE REVERSAL OF
ANY EXISTING LAW OR POLICY, OR THE TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH OF ANY
OFFICIAL MOTTO, SLOGAN, OR DECREE.

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