Colo. Senate Democrats: Senate Passes Gonzales' Bill to Ensure Language Access for Insurance Documents

DENVER, Colorado, March 10 -- The Colorado Senate Democrats issued the following news release on March 9, 2023:

The Senate today passed Senator Julie Gonzales', D-Denver, bill to ensure non-English speakers can read and understand critical insurance information.

HB23-1004 would require insurers to have insurance policy information professionally translated or be certified from a professional translator in a non-English language. It also requires insurers of auto, home, and renters' insurance to offer policy documents in the same language that is used for advertisements, and to provide the policy application, policy, and any related documents in any language upon request.

"Expanding language access requirements helps to even the playing field for non-English speakers," Gonzales said. "I'm proud to partner with Rep. Velasco to increase language access in the insurance space, and I will continue working to implement additional consumer protections for Colorado's non-English speaking communities."

Last session, Gonzales sponsored the Multilingual Ballot Access for Voters law, establishing a statewide hotline to provide translation services for ballot language.

HB23-1004 now heads back to the House for concurrence of amendments. You can follow the bill's progress HERE (https://senatedems.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b1b2e70aeceb6e338b0169101&id=860de4c56a&e=3cc7d11c8d).

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Original text here: https://www.senatedems.co/newsroom/senate-passes-gonzales-bill-to-ensure-language-access-for-insurance-documents