AB-2341 • 2026

Local government: emergency response services: use of languages other than English.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Fong
Last action: 2026-04-20
Official status: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance.

Local Government Emergency Response Services: Language Requirements

This law requires local agencies to provide emergency information in English and other languages spoken by at least 5% of the population that speaks English less than 'very well'.

What This Bill Does

Requires local agencies to give out emergency information in multiple languages if needed.
Specifies that these languages must be those used by at least 5% of people who speak English poorly within their area.

Who It Names or Affects

Local government agencies providing emergency services
Communities where more than 5% of the population speaks a language other than English and has limited English proficiency

Terms To Know

Emergency response services: Services provided by local governments to help people during emergencies, like fires or floods.
American Community Survey (ACS): A survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau that collects detailed demographic and economic information about communities.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a local agency fails to follow these requirements.
It is unclear how this law will be enforced or monitored.

Bill History

2026-04-20 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Ordered to second reading.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Withdrawn from committee.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-07 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on E.M.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.M. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on E.M.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.M. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on E.M.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2341, as amended, Fong.
Local government: emergency response services: use of languages other than English.
Existing law requires, in the event of an emergency within the jurisdiction of a local agency that provides emergency response services and that serves a population within which 5% or more of the people speak English less than “very well,” according to American Community Survey data, and jointly speak a language other than English, that the local agency provide information related to the emergency in English and in all languages spoken jointly by the 5% or more of the population that speaks English less than “very well,” as specified.
This bill would revise these provisions to
instead
require the local agency to provide information related to
the
an
emergency
within a local agency’s jurisdiction
in English and
translated
in each language spoken
jointly
by 5% or more of the population that speaks English less than “very well.”
The bill, to determine whether a language meets the criteria for translation, would require a local agency to calculate the total population of those within its jurisdiction that speaks English less than “very well,” and, for each language included in the American Community Survey data, determine whether speakers of any language who speak English less than “very well” comprise at least 5% of the total population of
that jurisdiction that speaks English less than “very well.” The bill would make organizational and clarifying changes to the above-described provisions, as specified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF