Assemblymember Mike Fong Secures Nearly $11 Million To Expand Language Access
SACRAMENTO, CA （July 13, 2023)– Assemblymember Mike Fong (D – Alhambra) announced today that he secured $10.8 million in the 2023-2024 state budget for crucial language access initiatives.
“In a state as diverse as California, we must ensure residents have access to important information in languages they understand, especially when it comes to court proceedings or gun violence prevention,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong.
Funds secured in the budget include:
- $6.8 million to increase the number of court interpreters.
- $4 million to educate the public and law enforcement personnel on protective orders, such as gun violence restraining orders, also known as red flag laws, in at least 10 of the most commonly spoken languages other than English.
The request to increase the number of court interpreters is based on AB 432, authored by Assemblymember Mike Fong, to establish a Court Interpreter Workforce Pilot Program. The funds will pay for costs of training, coursework and exam fees for participants, who will be employed by a court upon successful completion of the program.
In response to the tragic mass shooting in Monterey Park earlier this year, Assemblymember Fong secured funds to raise public awareness of red flag laws, in order to increase the removal of weapons from people at risk of hurting themselves or others.
Governor Newsom signed the budget bills on Monday, July 10th, completing the final step in the state budget process for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
