{"id":273,"date":"2022-12-21T19:54:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T19:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/sandra-ung\/?p=273"},"modified":"2026-08-06T19:56:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T19:56:15","slug":"city-council-passes-cm-ungs-bill-expanding-language-access-services-for-small-business-owners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/sandra-ung\/2022\/12\/21\/city-council-passes-cm-ungs-bill-expanding-language-access-services-for-small-business-owners\/","title":{"rendered":"City Council Passes CM Ung’s Bill Expanding Language Access Services for Small Business Owners"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The City Council on Wednesday passed a bill introduced by Council Member Sandra Ung to expand language access and translation services for small business owners during their interactions with city agencies. A key component of the legislation will require the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), when requested by a respondent, to translate their rulings when a city summons is contested.  <\/p>\n

\u201cFor small business owners who are focused on their day-to-day operations, staying knowledgeable of and complying with the myriad rules and regulations imposed by the city can be a challenge,\u201d said Council Member Sandra Ung<\/strong>. \u201cBut for business owners with limited English proficiency it can be an especially daunting task. Immigrant-owned small businesses are the backbone of the city\u2019s economy, and these efforts to expand language access will remove another barrier to their success.\u201d<\/p>\n

The translation of OATH decisions will apply to summonses issued by the departments of Buildings, Consumer and Worker Protection, Health and Mental Hygiene, Environmental Protection and Sanitation, as well as the Fire Department.<\/p>\n

Once a decision is rendered by OATH, a respondent will receive a form translated into the citywide designated languages instructing them how to request a translation of the decision in the language of their choice, how to appeal the ruling, and how to file for an extension.<\/p>\n

The translated decision, which is not restricted to the citywide designated languages, must also include information on how to file for an appeal and an extension.<\/p>\n

Some other key provisions of Intro 699-A include:<\/p>\n

\u25cf Require each agency to submit a report on the number of inspectors who are fluent in a language other than English annually, beginning January 1, 2024.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Require the city to translate the Business Owner Bill of Rights into at least six of the citywide designated languages most commonly spoken by limited English proficient New Yorkers and make the translation available online.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Require the city to translate the Inspection Code of Conduct, and instruct inspectors to inform business owners of translation services for contesting a violation or making a complaint about an inspector.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The City Council on Wednesday passed a bill introduced by Council Member Sandra Ung to expand language access and translation services for small business owners during their interactions with city agencies. A key component of the legislation will require the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), when requested by a respondent, to translate their rulings when a city summons is contested.  <\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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