Washington HB2475: Language access

What the bill says

An act Relating to providing language accessible public programs, activities, and services conducted, operated, or administered by state agencies; and adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW. NEW SECTION.

From the enrolled text:

AN ACT Relating to providing language accessible public programs, activities, and services conducted, operated, or administered by state agencies; and adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that: (a) Even before the founding of our state and country, multiple languages, including the languages of indigenous people, immigrants, people who were enslaved, and signed languages, were used by the people who lived on this land. These traditions and practices have continued through to the present day. As such, multilingualism is one of the oldest and most consistently practiced American traditions. (b) The use of multiple languages and modalities of communication in government, business, and private affairs supports the state's effective competition in the global economy. The shared prosperity of Washingtonians can be attributed to the collective knowledge, innovation, ideas, connections, and perspectives carried out in all languages used in Washington. When language accessible programs, activities, and services are not provided, it has a negative impact on the state's economic prosperity, which is in part a result of the negative impact on small business. (c) Washington has long recognized and enforced language access rights to ensure nondiscrimination in public programs, activities, and services in accordance with federal and state law. To this end, numerous language access laws have been enacted in Washington and …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Lillian Ortiz-Self (D) · primary sponsor
• Sharlett Mena (D)
• Mary Fosse (D)
• Cindy Ryu (D)
• Sharon Santos (D)
• Tarra Simmons (D)
• Janice Zahn (D)
• Lisa Parshley (D)
• My-Linh Thai (D)
• Osman Salahuddin (D)
• Alex Ramel (D)
• Mia Gregerson (D)

Latest actions

1. March 23, 2026: Effective date 6/11/2026.
2. March 23, 2026: Chapter 142, 2026 Laws.
3. March 23, 2026: Governor signed.
4. March 10, 2026: Delivered to Governor.
5. March 9, 2026: President signed.
6. March 6, 2026: Speaker signed.
7. March 5, 2026: Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 17; absent, 1; excused, 1.
8. March 5, 2026: Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
9. March 3, 2026: Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
10. March 2, 2026: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

Votes

• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 5, 2026): 30 yea, 17 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Ways & Means: Do pass (March 2, 2026): 16 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections: Do pass (February 24, 2026): 5 yea, 1 nay, passed
• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 16, 2026): 62 yea, 33 nay, passed
• House Committee on Appropriations: The substitute bill by Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 9, 2026): 24 yea, 3 nay, passed
• House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 4, 2026): 4 yea, 3 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB2475?

HB2475 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Language access.

What does HB2475 do?

In its own words: An act Relating to providing language accessible public programs, activities, and services conducted, operated, or administered by state agencies; and adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW. NEW SECTION.

What is the status of HB2475?

Signed into law as of March 23, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 23, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2475?

Lillian Ortiz-Self (D), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2475?

On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2475&Year=2025