When Must State Agencies Provide You with an Interpreter?
If you have trouble speaking or understanding English and you need a service from an agency, most agencies must provide "oral language services". This means that the agency will provide an interpreter when you visit the agency’s office. It also means that the agency will hire an interpreter who will be on the phone when you call for services. You are eligible for this type of help if all of the following are true.

• The law requiring interpretation covers the state agency or program. See the list of agencies that are covered by the law.
• There are many requests for help from people who also speak your language. The only way you will know if your language is covered is to make a request.
• You are unable to understand spoken or written English, or you are unable to speak or write English.

How Will Interpretation Be Provided?
There are many ways an agency can provide an interpreter. The choice of how the agency will handle your request is made by the agency. The agency may offer a staff interpreter, a bilingual staff person, use a special telephone interpretation service or the agency may hire an interpreter from a private interpretation programs.

Translation Services: Most of the agencies of the Maryland state government are required to translate “vital” documents into many languages.

When Must State Agencies Provide You with Translation?
First, you must be working with one of the state agencies that is required by the law to translate certain documents. See the list of agencies that are covered by the law.

Second, the documents produced by the state agency will be translated into Spanish if Spanish is spoken by 3% or more of the population that the agency serves.

For example, you need help from the Office of the Attorney General. If Spanish is spoken by at least 3% the population that requests services from Office of the Attorney General, the agency is required to translate “vital documents."

Will All Maryland Government Documents Be Translated?
No. A document will only be translated if all three of the following statements are true.

• The law requiring that documents be translated covers the state agency or program. See the list of agencies that are covered by the law.
• There are many requests for help from people who also speak your language. The only way you will know if your language is covered is to make a request.
• The document is a “vital document." "Vital Documents" usually includes applications for benefits or services, informational materials, notices and complaint forms that the agency or program. There are some exceptions.

Must a Government Agency Translate their Website?
The law does not specifically discuss websites. However, the law does require that “vital” documents be translated. If those vital documents are also posted on the website, there is a good chance that the translations are posted as well as the English versions. Look at the list of state agencies and program below. If there was information posted in Spanish, you will see a link to that information. (This was true as of the date that this page was last updated. See the bottom of the page for the date this page was last updated.)

Which State Agencies Are Required by Law to Provide Interpretation and Translation Services?

• Department of Human Resources (in Spanish),
• Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation: Special Help section in Spanish; and, main web site (in English),
• Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Even though the web site is in English, it can easily be translated into Spanish by scrolling to the bottom of the page, and selecting "Spanish" from a pull-down button in the bottom left-hand corner,
• Department of Juvenile Justice,
• The Worker's Compensation Commission,
• Department of Aging,
• Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services,
• Department of Transportation,
• Maryland Human Relations Commission: Section in Spanish that covers employment discrimination, Equality of Rights For All, Equality in Housing/Living Conditions, and Mediation; and, main web site (in English),
• Department of State Police,
• Comptroller of Maryland,
• Department of Housing and Community Development,
• Maryland Transit Administration,
• Department of Natural Resources: There is a section in Spanish that discusses frequently asked questions, how to plant a tree, and contact information for DNR offices throughout the state; main web site (in English),
• Maryland State Department of Education,
• Office of the Attorney General,
• Department of Agriculture,
• Department of Business and Economic Development,
• Department of Veterans Affairs,
• Department of the Environment: Even though the web site is in English, it can easily be translated into Spanish by scrolling to the bottom of the page, and selecting "Spanish" from a pull-down button in the bottom right-hand corner.

If the agency or program with which you are dealing is not listed, you should still request an interpreter. Even though the current law does not require the agency to have a special interpreter program:

• It is likely that the agency will be able to find you an interpreter. However, there is no guarantee.
• However, the law does require the agency to decide if they need to set up a system. Your request will help them to understand the need for an interpreter program.