California’s AB 2341 Changes Emergency Communications for People Who Do Not Speak English

California has changed the rules for emergency communications aimed at people with limited English proficiency. Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2341 on August 31, and its designation as an urgency statute made the provisions effective immediately.

The law applies to cities, counties and departments operating under those jurisdictions. It covers services including police, fire departments and emergency medical teams when they respond to situations requiring immediate action.

AB 2341 keeps the initial 5% threshold used to trigger translation obligations, but changes the population reference used to determine which languages must be included. Agencies must use data from the American Community Survey or another source considered equally reliable. They must also review demographic information every five years to determine whether residents’ language needs have changed.

The legislation seeks to ensure that people who struggle to understand English receive information needed to protect themselves during natural disasters and other crises. Its purpose is not simply to reproduce part of an English warning in another language.

Translated emergency information must match the English material in completeness, timeliness and usefulness for taking action. People receiving the message in another language should have the information needed to understand what is happening and what steps they must take.