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Language Access Program

Learn about King County's Language Access Program, led by the Office of Equity and Racial and Social Justice.

About the King County Language Access Program

The King County Language Access Program provides oversight, guidance, and tools to support departments, agencies, and contractors in meeting their responsibilities under King County Code Chapter 2.15. This includes ensuring access to County services for individuals regardless of English proficiency, citizenship, or immigration status, in accordance with applicable law.

The program also supports compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires effective communication with individuals with communication-related disabilities, such as people who are Deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing.

We support County compliance by:

  • Monitoring adherence to local, state, and federal language and accessibility requirements
  • Helping departments provide timely, qualified interpretation and translation services
  • Supporting the development of agency-level Language Assistance Plans
  • Creating tools, templates, and trainings to help staff meet diverse communication needs
  • Partnering with communities to raise awareness and improve access to County services and information

    • Our goal is to reduce communication barriers and promote equitable access to information and services for all King County residents.

     

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    Your Rights Under King County Code Chapter 2.15

    King County Code Chapter 2.15 sets standards to help ensure that residents can access County programs and services regardless of their citizenship, immigration status, or ability to speak English.

    Under King County Code Chapter 2.15:

  • County services shall not be conditioned on immigration or citizenship status, unless required by state or federal law, regulation, or court order (KCC 2.15.010.A, F).

  • You may be entitled to free interpretation and translation services when accessing services or programs from County agencies or contractors, if you are limited-English-proficient. Services must be provided in a timely manner and should not result in unreasonable delays (KCC 2.15.030.A).

  • You may not be subject to verbal abuse, coercion, or threats related to your national origin, English proficiency, or immigration status by County employees or agents (KCC 2.15.010.F).

  • County agencies must develop language assistance plans and identify which vital documents and public communication materials need to be translated into the County’s top six languages (KCC 2.15.030.B).

  • Questions about your citizenship, immigration status, or place of birth may only be asked when required by law or necessary for program eligibility or reimbursement. If asked, you must be clearly informed that you have the right to decline to respond without fear of retaliation (KCC 2.15.010.E).

  • The Sheriff’s Office may not stop or investigate you solely based on your immigration status, race, or English proficiency (KCC 2.15.015.D).

  • King County does not honor immigration detainer requests or administrative warrants unless accompanied by a judicial criminal warrant issued by a federal judge (KCC 2.15.020.B.2).

  • ICE access to nonpublic County areas or personal information is prohibited unless a judicial criminal warrant is presented or required by law (KCC 2.15.020.B.3–4).

  • You may file a complaint with the Office of Equity, Racial, and Social Justice if you believe your rights under this chapter have been violated (KCC 2.15.100).


    • While King County limits cooperation with civil immigration enforcement, some exceptions apply. The law allows the County to share immigration status information with federal authorities when required under federal law (KCC 2.15.110).

     

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