HB 23-1237

HB 23-1237, known as the "Inclusive Language Emergency Situations" bill, requires the University of Colorado's Natural Hazards Center to study how emergency alerts can be provided in minority languages and through live interpretation during 911 calls. The study will look at what resources are needed for local agencies to communicate effectively with non-English speaking communities and people with disabilities. It aims to identify gaps in current systems, suggest best practices, and explore funding opportunities. The bill was signed into law on May 12, 2023, meaning the study must be completed by January 8, 2024, and will help ensure that emergency services are more accessible to everyone in Colorado.

Official Summary

The act requires the university of Colorado's natural hazards center to conduct a study by July 1, 2024, to determine what municipalities, sheriff's offices, counties, fire districts, and local 911 agencies need to be able to provide emergency alerts in minority languages, and what local 911 agencies need in order to provide live interpretation during a 911 call. The study must: Identify the components of multi-hazard early warning systems that are necessary in order to reach residents and visitors without requiring an opt-in, as well as opt-in options, outputs for emergency alert systems, and the ability to provide emergency alerts in minority languages; Survey state agencies, counties, municipalities, sheriff's offices, fire districts, fire authorities, and local 911 agencies to identify the capabilities of existing emergency alert systems in Colorado compared to the identified essential components; Identify gaps in the capabilities of existing emergency alert systems requiring correction; Identify resources, including federal funding opportunities, to implement a grant program to assist municipalities, sheriff's offices, counties, fire districts, and local 911 agencies in obtaining emergency response technology systems that can provide emergency alerts in minority languages; Determine best practices, which may be identified by reviewing programs in other states, for hiring multilingual and multicultural staff; Determine best practices for engaging local community organizations with connections to populations that speak a minority language; and Present research regarding effective emergency alerts for people with disabilities after consultation with a statewide organization that advocates for people with disabilities. The university of Colorado's natural hazard center shall submit its study report to the division of homeland security and emergency management in the department of public safety and to the general assembly by January 8, 2024. The act appropriates $77,009 from the general fund to the department of higher education to implement the study. APPROVED by Governor May 12, 2023 EFFECTIVE May 12, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes