Queens, NY – State Senator Jessica Ramos (D-Jackson Heights) and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) announced that legislation (A6466A/S1022A) they sponsor has been signed into law. The legislation would ensure that the New York State Workers Compensation Board increases language access by providing interpretation services and translation of documents into the ten most common non-English languages.

“One of my top priorities as Labor Chair is to pass laws that create dignity, safety, and accessibility in the workplace – S1022A is an essential part of that effort,” says State Senator Jessica Ramos. “When a worker is injured on the job, they need to be able to understand their rights and access the support they need to recover. In a state as rich in diversity as New York, language is a key part of that accessibility. I’m thrilled to see this bill signed.”

“Despite New York’s incredible diversity, there is still more to do to ensure adequate language access services,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “This legislation will ensure that all New Yorkers eligible for Workers’ Compensation have the interpretation and translation services they need to understand proceedings that are essential to their health and livelihood.”

This new law will codify and expand previous executive action to strengthen the state’s dedication to language access.