San Francisco County Municipal Code Ch. 90A Promoting and Sustaining Music and Culture

Sec. 90A.1. Findings and Purpose. Sec. 90A.2. Music and Culture Sustainability Policy. Sec. 90A.3. Streamlined Permitting. Sec. 90A.4. Hearings on Permit Criteria. Sec. 90A.5. Revision of City Codes. Sec. 90A.6. Amendment of General Plan. Sec. 90A.7. Annual Hearing. Sec. 90A.8. Arts and Other Departments and Commissions. Sec. 90A.9. Definitions.

(a) San Francisco has a rich music and cultural heritage manifested in numerous outdoor events such as street fairs and music festivals and in many indoor venues such as community centers, nightclubs, and theaters. Music and cultural events and performances are a distinct and important feature of San Francisco that make it both an exceptional and a desirable place to live. (b) Indoor and outdoor music, theater, performance, nightlife, dancing, and other entertainment venues and cultural events are a vital component of the quality of life for all the diverse communities of San Francisco. Such venues and events offer important social avenues for individuals and groups of all ages, foster positive and meaningful interactions between individuals and within communities in San Francisco, and strengthen neighborhoods in San Francisco. (c) San Francisco's vibrant music, nightlife, and cultural life is a central component of its attractiveness not only to residents but also to visitors; both those coming from the greater San Francisco bay Area, and tourists, business visitors, and convention attendees who come to San Francisco from other parts of the United States and the world. The wide variety of music, entertainment, and cultural events are a boon to the tourism industry in San Francisco and have a major, positive impact on the San Francisco economy. (d) It is the policy of the City, and the purpose of this Chapter, to foster, promote, and sustain music and culture in San Francisco. This Chapter shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of state law, the City Charter, and any fiduciary obligations. (Added by Ord. 9-09, File No. 081125, App. 1/16/2009)

The following general principles constitute the City's music and culture sustainability policy. All City officials, boards, commissions, departments, and other entities shall implement these principles in conducting the City's affairs. (a) The City is committed to a general policy of sustaining indoor music and performance venues, and outdoor special events such as, but not limited to, parades, festivals, neighborhood celebrations, and street fairs. As development proceeds in San Francisco, with new buildings constructed, possible zoning changes, evolving infrastructure, changes in transportation systems and traffic patterns, and the like, the City must be vigilant to ensure that San Francisco remains a hospitable environment for music and cultural venues and events. San Francisco's music and performance venues and indoor and outdoor cultural events should be preserved and enhanced and protected from displacement due to development. (b) The City is committed to a general policy of supporting and encouraging the use of City and County property, including Port property, for indoor and outdoor music and other cultural events. By making public property available for such events, more residents and visitors to San Francisco are able to attend such events and thereby share in the rich musical and cultural experiences that San

Francisco offers. (c) The City supports and encourages the use of galleries, art studios, salons, warehouses, coffee houses, community centers, and other unique places for cultural events, such as but not limited to musical performances, DJ events, readings, theater, dance events, fairs, festivals, workshops, fundraisers, and other community events. Limitations of space within San Francisco make it important for the City to be creative and expansive in recognizing the value of many different kinds of venues for music, entertainment, and cultural events. (d) The City supports and encourages music, theater, performance, dance, street fairs, and other programs and events that reflect the cultural diversity of San Francisco. For San Francisco's musical and cultural life to remain vibrant, the City must be receptive to new and evolving perspectives on music and culture. (e) The City supports and encourages innovative approaches to the provision of low-cost housing to musicians, artists, performers, event planners, and others who have an integral role in San Francisco's music and cultural life. (f) The City supports and encourages educational programs to promote music, theater, dance, and other performance arts, including but not limited to after-school programs, continuing education programs, performance career paths, and education in media and digital arts and video and audio technology. (g) The City supports and encourages workforce development efforts between event organizers and the City, such as but not limited to training workers in providing security for outdoor events and in facilitating the clean-up of neighborhoods impacted by large outdoor events. (h) The City supports and encourages ongoing research activities on the economic impact of street fairs, nightlife, dance clubs, music halls, other performance and entertainment venues, and cultural events. These research activities should include not merely research efforts by officials, boards, commissions, departments, and other entities of the City, but also research efforts of persons or entities outside of City government. Through contracts, grants, or other funding by the City of outside research efforts, policymakers and decisionmakers within City government and their staffs can learn and benefit from the expertise, perspective, and insights that others can bring to this issue. (i) The City supports and encourages advertising and promotion of music and cultural events and venues, such as street fairs, nightlife, dance clubs, music halls, and other performance and entertainment venues and cultural events. These advertising and promotion efforts should include not merely advertising and promotion by officials, boards, commissions, departments, and other entities of the City, but also advertising and promotion by persons or entities outside of City government who may be specially capable of reaching diverse or specialized audiences, including diverse communities in San Francisco, visitors from the greater San Francisco Bay Area, tourists, business visitors, and convention attendees. Through contracts, grants, or other funding by the City in support of such advertising and promotion efforts, music and cultural events and venues in San Francisco can be sustained and strengthened. (j) It is the policy of the City and County to have a system of coordinated policy development, event planning, and permitting for music, culture, nightlife, performance, entertainment, special events, and entertainment establishments. To facilitate this goal, the Entertainment Commission shall coordinate these policy development, event planning, and permitting functions. All City officials, boards, commissions, departments, and other entities shall cooperate with and assist the Entertainment Commission in these efforts. (Added by Ord. 9-09, File No. 081125, App. 1/16/2009)

The City is committed to employing modern technologies, and to developing an on-line permitting system, to provide for more economical and expeditious processing of entertainment-related permits, as defined by ordinance, and other permits or licenses that must be granted or determinations that must be made for a music or cultural event or other entertainment event to take place. To that end, the Entertainment Commission shall develop a proposal for an on-line system that simplifies and expedites the permit process with features such as, but not limited to, on-line application, payment, and permit tracking, and reduction or elimination of paper use. In developing the proposal, the Executive Director of the Entertainment Commission and/or staff shall consult as appropriate with City boards, commissions, departments, entities, and officials, including but not limited to the Planning Commission, Recreation and Park Commission, Port Commission, Police Commission, Fire Commission, Building Inspection Commission, Municipal Transportation Agency, Health Commission, and Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation (ISCOTT), each of which shall cooperatively assist as appropriate in developing the proposal. The Department of Telecommunications and Information Services shall provide assistance in developing the proposal. The Arts Commission, Grants for the Arts, and the charitable trust departments may, in their discretion, make recommendations to the Executive Director of the Entertainment Commission and/or staff or the Entertainment Commission regarding the proposal. The City may contract with an outside consultant or consultants to facilitate development of the proposal. The Executive Director of the Entertainment Commission and/or staff may hold one or more public hearings to aid in development of the proposal. The Entertainment Commission shall hold at least one public hearing regarding this proposal no later than December 1, 2009 and shall submit the proposal, and in the Entertainment Commission's discretion an accompanying report, to the Board of Supervisors no later than January 15, 2010, in order for the proposal to be fully considered during negotiations and deliberations pertaining to the budget for the fiscal year that commences on July 1, 2010. (Added by Ord. 9-09, File No. 081125, App. 1/16/2009)

(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to new criteria including criteria for fees for the issuance of an entertainment-related permit, as defined by ordinance, or other permit or license that must be granted or determination that must be made for a music or cultural event or other entertainment event to take place, if the permit, license, or determination is under the jurisdiction of the Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation (ISCOTT), the Arts Commission, Grants for the Arts, the charitable trust departments, the California Academy of Sciences, the Library Commission, the Port Commission, or the Recreation and Park Commission. To the extent any of these entities hold a public hearing on said new criteria, the entity shall notify the Entertainment Commission of the public hearing and afford the Entertainment Commission and/or its Executive Director or his or her designee an opportunity to testify at the hearing. This subsection (b) shall not preclude the Entertainment Commission or any other City official, board, commission, department, or other entity from holding its own hearing on new criteria for permits, licenses, or determinations under the jurisdiction of the entities named in subsection (b). (Added by Ord. 9-09, File No. 081125, App. 1/16/2009)

By no later than July 1, 2010, the Entertainment Commission shall submit a report to the Board of Supervisors and all affected City officials, boards, commissions, departments, and other entities, with recommendations for revising City Codes to conform to and implement the principles contained in the music and culture sustainability policy described in Section 90A.2. In developing the report, the Executive Director of the Entertainment Commission and/or staff shall consult as appropriate with City boards, commissions, departments, entities, and officials, including but not limited to the Planning Commission, Recreation and Park Commission, Port Commission, Police Commission, Fire Commission, Building Inspection Commission, Municipal Transportation Agency, Health Commission, and Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation (ISCOTT), each of which shall cooperatively assist as appropriate in developing the report. The Arts Commission, Grants for the Arts, and the charitable trust departments may, in their discretion, make recommendations to the Executive Director of the Entertainment Commission and/or staff or the Entertainment Commission regarding the report to be submitted to the Board of Supervisors under this section. Before the Entertainment Commission submits any report to the Board of Supervisors under this section, the Executive Director of the Entertainment Commission and/or staff shall consult with the Arts Commission, Grants for the Arts, and the charitable trust departments with respect to the proposed report. The Executive Director of the Entertainment Commission and/or staff may hold one or more public hearings to aid in development of the report to be submitted to the Board of Supervisors under this section. The Entertainment Commission shall hold at least one public hearing regarding the report no later than May 1, 2010. The Entertainment Commission may submit to the Board of Supervisors the report mandated by this section in separate parts at separate times, provided that all parts of the report are the subject of a hearing before the Entertainment Commission by May 1, 2010 and before being submitted to the Board of Supervisors; and provided further that all parts of the report are submitted to the Board of Supervisors by no later than July 1, 2010. Nothing in this section is intended or shall be construed to interfere with or override Section 4.105 of the Charter or any other Charter provision. Nothing in this section is intended or shall be construed to prevent any official, board, commission, department, or other entity at any time from proposing a revision to City Codes to conform to and implement the music and culture sustainability policy or otherwise affect the ability of an official, board, commission, department, or other entity to submit proposed legislation to the Board of Supervisors. (Added by Ord. 9-09, File No. 081125, App. 1/16/2009)

To the extent the principles contained in the music and culture sustainability policy described in Section 90A.2 relate to the future physical development of the City and County, the Board of Supervisors urges the Planning Commission to consider incorporating those principles into the City's General Plan and elaborating on and implementing with greater specificity those principles in the General Plan, either as a distinct element or as part of one or more existing elements or other features of the General Plan, or as some combination of those approaches. The Board of Supervisors urges the Planning Commission to submit by no later than July 1, 2011 a proposed amendment or amendments to the General Plan to accomplish this objective. The Board of Supervisors urges the Planning Department (and Planning Commission, to the extent it is involved) to work on an ongoing and collaborative basis with Entertainment Commission staff (and the Entertainment Commission, to the extent it is involved) in developing said amendment or amendments to the General Plan,

as well as working with other affected officials, boards, commissions, departments, and other entities. Nothing in this section is intended or shall be construed to interfere with or override Section 4.105 of the Charter or any other Charter provision. Nothing in this section is intended or shall be construed to prevent the Entertainment Commission or its Executive Director, or any other City official, board, commission, department, or other entity from proposing to the Planning Commission or the Director of City Planning amendments to the General Plan that would elaborate on and implement with greater specificity the principles contained in the music and culture sustainability policy. (Added by Ord. 9-09, File No. 081125, App. 1/16/2009)

Beginning with calendar year 2012, during the first six months of every year the Executive Director of the Entertainment Commission or his or her designee shall hold a public hearing to review the City's implementation of the principles contained in the music and culture sustainability policy described in Section 90A.2; consider whether the policy should be amended; consider whether further action should be taken to implement the policy, including whether any City Codes should be revised to implement the policy; and consider whether the General Plan should be amended to implement the policy. Other City officials may attend and participate as appropriate in the hearing. The Executive Director or his or her designee shall report on the hearing to the Entertainment Commission, and make recommendations as appropriate. Prior to submitting any such recommendation following the hearing, the Executive Director of the Entertainment Commission or his or her designee shall consult as appropriate with the Arts Commission, Grants for the Arts, and the charitable trust departments, and any official, board, commission, department, or other entity affected by the recommendation. The Entertainment Commission may choose to hold the annual hearing mandated by this section in lieu of its being held by the Executive Director of the Entertainment Commission or his or her designee. In that event, the Entertainment Commission shall invite a representative of the Arts Commission, Grants for the Arts, and the charitable trust departments, as well as any official, board, commission, department, or other entity likely to have an interest in the hearing, to attend and participate as appropriate. Following the hearing, the Entertainment Commission may make recommendations as appropriate on the subjects covered in the hearing. This section is not intended and shall not be construed to limit the number of hearings the Executive Director or his or her designee may have per year on the subjects to be covered in the annual hearing mandated by this section; or to limit the Entertainment Commission's ability to hold one or more hearings on those subjects; or to limit the ability of any other official, board, commission, department, or other entity to hold one or more hearings on those subjects; or to preclude any hearing on those subjects prior to calendar year 2012; or to preclude the Entertainment Commission or any other official, board, commission, department, or other entity at any time from making recommendations on those subjects. (Added by Ord. 9-09, File No. 081125, App. 1/16/2009)

Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to limit or abridge the powers or exclusive jurisdiction of the Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation (ISCOTT), the charitable trust departments, the Arts Commission, Grants for the Arts, the California Academy of Sciences, the Library Commission, the Port Commission, or the Recreation and Park Commission, over their activities; the land and buildings set aside for their use; or over the other assets entrusted to their care. This Chapter shall not be construed to impose additional hearing or approval procedures for any policies, guidelines, permits, or licenses issued by the above-listed agencies. (Added by Ord. 9-09, File No. 081125, App. 1/16/2009)

(a) "Charitable trust departments" means those departments so designated in Charter section 5.101. (b) "City" means the City and County of San Francisco. (c) "Entertainment-related permits, as defined by ordinance" means those permits and licenses as defined in Administrative Code section 90.2 as amended from time to time. (Added by Ord. 9-09, File No. 081125, App. 1/16/2009) CHAPTER 91:

LANGUAGE ACCESS Sec. 91.1. Purpose and Findings. Sec. 91.2. Definitions. Sec. 91.3. Scope. Sec. 91.4. Utilization of Bilingual Employees. Sec. 91.5. Translation of Materials, Signage and Digital Content. Sec. 91.6. Dissemination of Translated Materials from the State and Federal Government. Sec. 91.7. Public Meetings and Hearings. Sec. 91.8. Recorded Telephonic Messages. Sec. 91.9. Crisis Situations. Sec. 91.10. Complaint Procedure. Sec. 91.11. Annual Compliance Report. Sec. 91.12. Annual Compliance Reports Submittals, Language Access Ordinance Summary Report, and Recommendations for Emerging Language Populations. Sec. 91.13. Recruitment. Sec. 91.14. Department Responsibilities. Sec. 91.15. Commission Responsibilities. Sec. 91.16. Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs' Responsibilities. Sec. 91.17. Rules and Regulations. Sec. 91.18. Enforcement. Sec. 91.19. Disclaimers.

(a) Title. This Chapter 91 shall be known as the "Language Access Ordinance." (b) Findings. (1) The City and County of San Francisco (“the City”) seeks to ensure a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment where every person, regardless of immigration status or language spoken can readily access information about City services and programs. (2) San Francisco provides an array of services and information that can be made accessible to persons who are not proficient in the English language, or for whom English is not their primary language..1 The City of San Francisco is committed to providing equal access to information about City services and programs by providing language access services, including language interpretation and written translations..1 (3) Despite a long history of commitment to language access as embodied in federal, state, and local law, beginning with the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, there is a still a significant gap in providing governmental services and programs to Limited English Proficient (“LEP”) P1 . (4) In 1973, the Legislature adopted the Dymally-Alatorre Bilingual Services Act, which required certain state and local agencies to provide language services to LEP Persons whenever they serve a Substantial Number of Non-English Speaking People and to hire a sufficient number of bilingual staff. (5) In 1999, the California State Auditor concluded that some state agencies were not in compliance with the Dymally-Alatorre Bilingual Services Act,;1 therefore, not providing equitable services to people who require bilingual assistance..1 (6) In 2001, in response to these findings, the City enacted the Equal Access to Services Ordinance, Ordinance No. 126-01, which required major departments to provide language access services to LEP Persons who comprise 5% or more of the total city population. (7) In 2009, in Ordinance No. 202-09, the City enacted a number of significant changes to the ordinance, renaming it the Language Access Ordinance and assigning roles and responsibilities for implementation and compliance to the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (“OCEIA”) and the Immigrant Rights Commission. Since amendment of the Language Access Ordinance in 2009, City departments have made significant progress in providing language access services. However, as of 2023, significant gaps remain in language access consistency, quality, budgeting and implementation across departments. (8) The COVID-19 pandemic and health emergency highlighted the barriers to language access services and inequities for many LEP Persons. The pandemic made it clear that City departments must prioritize language access services during health-related emergencies, disaster-related activities, and all other public safety crisis situations. A community-focused approach to language access

services ensures that residents can receive information about City programs and services, including public service announcements, to effectively communicate with City agencies, policymakers, and elected officials. (9) Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the City’s use of digital services, web-based content, and on-line mediums for providing information about City programs and services has increased. To meet the needs of City residents, the City’s language access services must also expand to those media to make them accessible to LEP Persons. (10) In 2023, the Legislature amended the Dymally-Alatorre Bilingual Services Act to require translation services in emergency situations, involving an immediate threat of serious harm or mass casualties, including conditions of natural disaster or conditions posing extreme peril to the safety of persons and property. The Legislature’s amendments were in response to critical incidents that severely impacted communities. In January 2023, mass shootings in Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park impacted communities of color where English was not the primary language spoken and concerns were raised as to whether vital information was being effectively communicated. In March 2023, the broken levee in Monterey County flooded the entire town of Pajaro and forced more than 2,000 people to evacuate. Various news media documented the local agencies’ failure to provide language services to communicate vital information on safety and access to recovery with impacted communities. The Legislature’s amendments expanded the Act’s application to cover all languages spoken jointly by 5% or more of the population whenever 5% of those affected also speak English less than “very well.” (11) Despite the City’s progress in providing language access services, as of 2024 there are still gaps in language services affecting the City’s ability to serve all of its residents and provide timely access to information to enable full participation in City services and programs. (12) The United States Census Bureau’s 2018 - 2022 American Community Survey reveals that 33.9% of San Franciscans are foreign-born and 42.9% over the age of five can speak a language other than English at home. (13) Historically, the City has offered language access services in three languages 1 Chinese, Spanish and Filipino. According to the 2018-2022 ACS, 18.9% of the total City population who self-identify as LEP Persons, 56.4% are Chinese speakers, 20.3% are Spanish speakers, 5% are Filipino speakers, 4.4% are Vietnamese speakers, and 3.16% are Russian speakers. (14) While the City remains a national leader in language access, much remains to be done to continue fighting for full inclusion of our LEP community. The City must continue to make every effort to ensure City departments comply with the Language Access Ordinance and removes barriers to participation in City processes by increasing bilingual staffing levels and language services budgets; improving accessibility through continued digital and telephonic language services; and increasing language services planning and coordination for public health crises, disasters, and emergencies. (Added by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; amended by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; Ord. 27-15 , File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 116-24.

As used in this Chapter 91, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings: “Advisory Body” shall mean a body other than a City Board or City Commission that is created by ordinance for the purpose of providing policy advice to the Board of Supervisors, the Mayor, or City Departments. “Annual Compliance Report” is set forth in Section 91.11 of this Chapter. “Bilingual Employee” shall mean a City employee who is fluent in both English and a second language and who is able to conduct the department’s business in both languages. A bilingual employee shall include a City employee who (i) is in a classification that provides information or direct services to the public requiring language proficiency in English and a second language; or (ii) is either a certified interpreter or translator by the Department of Human Resources or accredited training or academic institution; or (iii) receives premium pay and regularly uses the second language in their city employment; or (iv) is self-designated as competent in a second language for purposes of sporadic translation services. “City” shall mean the City and County of San Francisco. “City Boards” shall mean all boards listed in Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Section 3.1-103(a)(1), as amended from time to time. “City Commissions” shall mean all commissions listed in Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Section 3.1-103(a)(1), as amended from time to time. “Commission” shall mean the Immigrant Rights Commission. “Department” shall mean any City department, agency, or office with a service or program that provides information or services directly to the public, or interacts with the public. “Department’s Service or Program” shall mean anything a Department, agency,1 provides that involves direct services to the public as

part of ongoing operations and those direct services administered by the Department for program beneficiaries and participants. Activities include, but are not limited to, information provided to or communication with the public, spaces or department facilities used by the public, and programs that provide Direct Services to the Public. “Direct Services to the Public” shall mean any service that requires City employees to provide responses to inquiries about official documents, licenses, financial matters, and benefits that are related to the public’s health, safety, and general welfare. “Districts” shall refer to the 11 geographical districts by which the people of the City elect the members of the Board of Supervisors. “Emerging Language Population” shall mean any new or smaller language population that is at at1 least 2.5% of persons who share a primary language other than English, or for whom there are identified language access needs. “First Responders” shall mean all City Departments that respond to crisis situations as set forth in Section 91.9. “Interpretation” means a live service that communicates information from one language into another language that is provided in the moment through oral or gestured means. The live service may be provided either through simultaneous or consecutive interpretation of the original speech. “Language Access Services” shall mean translation and interpretation of oral or spoken information that is accessible and enables communication with persons for whom English is not their primary language or for persons who have a greater capacity for speaking or writing a language other than English. This may also include, interpretation of communications provided through oral, video, remote, or telephonic mediums. “Limited English Proficient Person” or “LEP Person” shall mean an individual who does not speak speak,1 read, understand, or communicate English, is otherwise unable to communicate effectively in English because English is not the individual’s primary language or prefers to conduct the interaction in their native language..1 “OCEIA” shall mean the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs or any successor agency. “Public Contact or Public Information Position” shall mean a position, a primary job responsibility of which consists of meeting, contacting, and dealing with the public in the performance of the duties of that position. “Public Service Announcement” means vital information to the public about the Department’s services or programs. “Required languages” shall mean Language Access Services in Chinese, Spanish, Filipino, and any other language for which the requisite number of persons qualifies as a Substantial Number of Limited English Proficient Persons. “Substantial Number of Limited English Proficient Persons” shall mean, prior to January 1, 2026, 10,000 City residents with limited English proficiency who speak a shared language other than English. The City will provide Language Access Services to a Substantial Number of Limited English Proficient Persons. OCEIA shall determine annually whether at least 10,000 LEP Persons speak a shared language other than English in order that their shared language will render them eligible for Language Access Services in that language. OCEIA shall make this determination by referring to the best available data from the United States Census Bureau or other reliable source and shall certify its determination to Departments and the Commission no later than January 31 of each year or an annual date as determined by OCEIA. Prior to certifying any new language as set forth in this definition, OCEIA shall comply with the provisions in Section 91.16(d). Starting January 1, 2026, the number 6,000 shall replace the number 10,000 as the annual threshold amount in this definition. “Translation” means any written communication of information from one language into another language. (Added by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; amended by Ord. 187-04, File No. 040759, App. 7/22/2004; Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; Ord. 27- 15 , File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015 ; Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 116-24

This Chapter 91 shall apply to any Department, agency, or office program or service that provides direct services to the public. (Added by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015) (Former Sec. 91.3 redesignated as Sec. 91.4 and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015)

(a) Utilizing sufficient Bilingual Employees in public contact or public information positions, Departments shall provide information and services to the public in the required languages, languages spoken by a Substantial Number of Limited English Proficient Persons, or

to the public served by their respective Department in each language spoken by LEP Persons. Departments comply with their obligations under this Section 91.4 if they provide the same level of service to LEP Persons as they provide English speakers. (b) Departments may consider hiring Bilingual Employees for public contact or public information positions made available through retirement or normal attrition. Departments may also consider recruiting culturally and linguistically qualified bilingual employees to provide language services for both translation and interpretation. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize the dismissal of any City employee in order to carry out the Language Access Ordinance. (c) Departments shall maintain an up-to-date list of employees and languages the Department offers through the use of Bilingual Employees. (Added as Sec. 91.3 by Ord. 128-01, File No. 011051, App. 6/15/2001; amended by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) (Former Sec. 91.4 redesignated as Sec. 91.5 and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015)

(a) Translation of Materials. Departments shall translate the following written materials that provide vital information to the public about the Department’s services or programs into the the require languages languages1 spoken by a Substantial Number of LEP Persons: applications or forms to participate in a Department’s program or activity or to receive its benefits or services; written notices of rights to, determination of eligibility for, award of, denial of, loss of, or decreases in benefits or services, including the right to appeal any Department’s decision; written tests that do not assess English language competency, but test competency for a particular license or skill for which knowledge of written English is not required; notices advising LEP Persons of free language assistance; materials, including publicly-posted documents, explaining a Department’s services or programs; complaint forms; any other written documents related to direct services to the public that could impact the community or an individual seeking services from or participating in a program of a Department. Upon request, a LEP Person may request written materials that provide vital information to the public about the Department’s services or programs into a language not captured by the required languages. However, the Public Utilities Commission and the Tax Collector shall make resources available for LEP Persons to understand their property tax and utility bills. (b) Signage. Departments that post signage that provides information to the public that relates to the Department’s Service or Program shall translate those materials in the required languages or languages as prescribed by a Substantial Number of LEP Persons. (c)1 Departments shall prioritize the translation of written materials by giving highest priority to vital information and materials that affect benefits, eligibility, public safety 1 health, and critical services. (d)1 Departments shall post translated notices in the public areas of their facilities in the relevant language(s) indicating that Language Access Services are available. (3) Departments shall translate all signage posted in their facilities that is intended to assist members of the public utilizing the Department’s services or programs. Departments shall also translate all signage posted in public spaces that is meant to inform the community about a service or program or a benefit or change that impacts the community. The translated notices shall be posted prominently and shall be readily visible to the public. Departments shall also provide translated written materials, in a conspicuous location, providing information about the OCEIA complaint process described in Section 91.10. (c) Digital Content. Departments shall translate digital content that meets the parameters of subsection 91.5(a) that they provide on digital platforms such as web sites, social media platforms, third-party digital content providers, or various on-line mediums. Departments shall also translate all public service announcements or information that raises awareness about an issue of public interest or affects the community that they publish on websites, social media platforms, third-party digital content providers, or various on-line mediums. (d) Departments shall take a community-focused approach to ensure all translations are accurate and appropriate for the target audience. Translations should match literacy levels of the target audience. (e) Each Department shall designate a staff member responsible for ensuring that all translations of the Department’s written materials meet the accuracy and appropriateness standard set in subsection (d) of this Section 91.5. Departments are encouraged to have their staff check the quality of written translations, but where a Department lacks biliterate personnel, the responsible staff member shall obtain quality checks from external translators. Departments may contact OCEIA for assistance in locating a qualified translator or translation equipment. Departments are also encouraged to solicit feedback on the accuracy and appropriateness of translations from bilingual staff of community groups whose clients receive services from the Department. (Added as Sec. 91.4 by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; amended by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) (Former Sec. 91.5 redesignated as 91.6 by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015) CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 116-24.

GOVERNMENT. If the State or federal government or any agency thereof makes available to a Department written materials in a language other than English, the Department shall maintain an adequate stock of the translated materials and shall make them readily available to persons who use the Department's services. (Added as Sec. 91.5 by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; redesignated by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015) (Former Sec. 91.6 redesignated as Sec. 91.7 and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015)

(a) Notwithstanding the requirements of any other provisions of Chapter 91, City Boards, City Commissions, advisory bodies, and Departments shall translate meeting notices, agendas, and minutes upon written request. When a City Board, City Commission, and advisory body receives a written request for translated meeting minutes, the body shall translate the meeting minutes only after the body adopts them and within a reasonable time thereafter. (b) City Boards, City Commissions, advisory bodies, and Departments shall provide Language Access Services in the language the member of the public requests at any public meeting or hearing, if requested at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting or hearing. (Added as Sec. 91.6 by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; amended by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) (Former Sec. 91.7 redesignated as Sec. 91.8 and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015)

All Departments with recorded telephonic messages about the Department’s operation or services shall maintain such messages in each language spoken by a Substantial Number of LEP Persons, or where applicable, a Concentrated Number of LEP Persons. Such Departments are encouraged to include in the telephonic messages information about business hours, office location(s), services offered and the means of accessing such services, and the availability of Language Access Services. The requirements of this Section 91.8 shall apply only to recordings prepared by a Department to provide general information to the public about the Department’s operations and services, and shall not apply to voicemail recordings on City employees’ telephone lines. (Added as Sec. 91.7 by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; redesignated and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) (Former Sec. 91.8 redesignated as Sec. 91.9 and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015)

(a) All Departments involved in health-related emergencies, including but not limited to pandemics, refugee relief, disaster-related activities, and all other crisis situations shall work with OCEIA to include Language Access Services protocols in the Department’s Annual Compliance Report. During these events, all Departments involved shall prioritize Language Access Services and to the extent feasible ensure bilingual staff are present and available to assist LEP Persons with critical needs. If these situations require the posting of warning signs, the Department shall translate those signs in the required languages. (b) By January 1, 2025, all Departments providing emergency response services, including but not limited to the Police Department, Fire Department, and Department of Emergency Management in the event of crisis situations and disaster-related activities, involving an immediate threat of serious harm, mass casualties, conditions of natural disaster, or conditions posing extreme peril to the safety of persons and property shall: (1) provide language access services related to the emergency in English and in all languages spoken jointly by 5% or more of the population that speaks English less than “very well”; (2) ensure that the quality of information translated and provided to individuals that speak English less than “very well” is as comprehensive, actionable, and timely as the information provided to LEP persons; and (3) endeavor to utilize community members with the cultural competencies and language skills necessary to effectively communicate with those that speak English less than “very well” using, whenever feasible, native speakers of the relevant languages who also speak English fluently. OCEIA shall reassess the data every five years to ensure that the language or languages in which the Departments provide information are consistent with the requirements of subsection (b)(1). (c) Subject to the budgetary and fiscal provisions of the Charter, OCEIA shall develop strategies for Departments to use in deploying

rapid response Language Access Services to advise First Responders serving the public in crisis situations as listed in Section 91.9. OCEIA shall collaborate with Departments to ensure a community-focused approach is incorporated in the operation of rapid response Language Access Services. (Added as Sec. 91.8 by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) (Former Sec. 91.9 redesignated as 91.10 and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015)

(a) Complaint Process. OCEIA shall be responsible for accepting, investigating, and resolving complaints from persons alleging violations of this Chapter 91. A person alleging that a Department violated a provision of this Chapter may submit a complaint to OCEIA by either: (1) completing and submitting a complaint form; (2) calling OCEIA and speaking with an employee who will document the complaint; or (3) designating another person or entity to lodge the complaint on their behalf. Within five days of receiving the complaint, OCEIA shall notify the Department and commence an investigation. OCEIA shall resolve all complaints within 30 days of their receipt unless OCEIA finds good cause to extend the time for resolving the complaint. OCEIA shall prepare a summary report of its investigation that will include findings and recommendations to address the issues raised in the complaint, including what action, if any, was undertaken by the Department in response to the complaint to ensure the Department’s compliance with this Chapter 91 and whether a Department cooperated or failed to cooperate with OCEIA’s investigation..1 (b) Department and City Board, City Commission, and Advisory Body’s Complaint Procedure. If a Department, a City Board, a City Commission, or an Advisory Body receives a complaint from an individual, it shall immediately forward a copy of the complaint to OCEIA. In addition, City Boards, City Commissions, and Advisory Bodies, shall cooperate in good faith with OCEIA in resolving the complaint within the applicable time frame. (c) Annual Tracking of Complaints and Summary Reports. Annually OCEIA shall track the number of complaints received and summary reports in progress and completed. OCEIA shall maintain copies of all complaints and summary reports for a period of not less than five years. (d) Quarterly Reports. On a quarterly basis, OCEIA shall submit a written report to the Board of Supervisors and Commission containing the following information: (1) the number of complaints filed during that quarter, including an analysis of individual cases with departmental trends; (2) the number of complaints filed for the year-to-date; (3) a comparison of those numbers with the filings for the previous year; (4) a brief description of the nature of each complaint filed, including the Department named in the complaint, the,1 and (5) OCEIA’s summary report of its investigation with findings and recommendations..1 (Added as Sec. 91.8 by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; redesignated as Sec. 91.9 and amended by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) (Former Sec. 91.10 redesignated as Sec. 91.11 and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 116-24.

Using information collected during the preceding fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30, each Department shall draft an Annual Compliance Report including the following information: (a) A description of the Department’s language access policy; (b) The language services offered by the Department; (c) The number and percentage of people who are LEP Persons who use the Department’s services Citywide; (d) A roster of bilingual employees, their titles, office locations, the language(s) other than English that they speak; excluding those bilingual employees who are self-designated as competent in a second language other than English; (e) The name and contact information of the Department’s language access coordinator; (f) A description of any use of telephone-based interpretation services, including the number of times telephone-based interpretation services were used, the language(s) for which they were used, and the number of times bilingual employees provided in-person interpretation services; (g) An explanatory assessment of the procedures used to facilitate communication with LEP Persons, which shall include, but is not limited to, an evaluation of the following (1) the content of recorded telephonic messages provided to the public and the language of the

message; (2) telephone requests for translation or interpretation services; (3) in-person requests for translation or interpretation services; and (4) public notices of the availability of translation or interpretation services upon request; (h) Ongoing employee development and training strategy to maintain well trained bilingual employees and general staff. Employee development and training strategy should include a description of quality control protocols for bilingual employees; and a description of language service protocols for LEP Persons in crisis situations as outlined in Section 91.9; (i) If the Department determines that additional bilingual employees are needed to meet the requirements of Section 91.4, the Department must provide a description of its plan for meeting those requirements; (j) The name, title, and language(s) other than English spoken, if any, by the staff member designated with responsibility for ensuring the accuracy and appropriateness of Language Access Services for each language in which services must be provided under this Chapter 91; (k) A list of the Department’s written materials that have been translated under this Chapter 91, the language(s) into which they have been translated, and the persons who have reviewed the translated material for accuracy and appropriateness; (l) The Department’s written policies on providing services to LEP Persons; (m) A list of goals for the upcoming year and, for all Annual Compliance Reports except the first, an assessment of the Department’s success at meeting last year’s goals; (n) Annual expenditures from the previous fiscal year for services that are related to language access, including: (1) Compensatory pay for bilingual employees who perform bilingual services, excluding regular annual salary expenditures; (2) Telephonic interpretation services provided by City vendors; (3) Document translation services provided by City vendors; (4) On-site language interpretation services provided by City vendors; (5) The Department’s budget 1 Language Access Services and projected budget to support progressive implementation of the Department’s Annual Compliance Report; (o) A summary of changes between the Department’s previous Annual Compliance Report submittal and the current submittal, including but not limited to: (1) an explanation of strategies and procedures that have improved the Department’s Language Access Services from the previous year; and (2) an explanation of strategies and procedures that did not improve the Department’s language services and proposed solutions to achieve the overall goal of this Language Access Ordinance; and (p) Any other information OCEIA deems appropriate for the implementation of this Chapter 91. (Added as Sec. 91.9 by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; redesignated as Sec. 91.10 and amended by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015) (Former Sec. 91.11 redesignated as Sec. 91.12 and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 116-24.

SUMMARY REPORT, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EMERGING LANGUAGE POPULATIONS. (a) Annual Compliance Reports Submittals. All Departments shall submit their Annual Compliance Report on October 1 of each year to OCEIA. (b) Language Access Ordinance Summary Report. On February 1 of each year, OCEIA shall submit to the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors, and the Commission a Language Access Ordinance Summary Report which compiles and summarizes all departmental Annual Compliance Reports. OCEIA shall also include in the Language Access Ordinance Summary Report a current determination of: (1) the total number of LEP Persons in the City; (2) the number of LEP Persons in the City delineated according to language spoken; (3) the number of LEP Persons for each District delineated according to language spoken; (4) the number of complaints received; (5) the number of complaints investigated; and (6) the number of investigative summary reports. OCEIA shall translate in the required languages the key findings and recommendations of the Language Access Ordinance Summary Report within 30 days after its completion. (c) OCEIA may include in the Language Access Ordinance Summary Report recommended changes to all departmental Annual Compliance Reports, including changes to language access policies in order to meet the needs of Emerging Language Populations. (Added as Sec. 91.11 by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) (Former Sec. 91.12 redesignated as 91.13 by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015)

It shall be the policy of the City to publicize job openings for Departments’ Public Contact Positions in an inclusive and appropriate manner including, but not limited to, in ethnic, and1 and non-English language media, and in multiple languages. (Added as Sec. 91.10 by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; redesignated as Sec. 91.12 by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated by Ord. 27- 15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015) (Former Sec. 91.13 redesignated as Sec. 91.15 and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 116-24.

In addition to the duties and responsibilities provided elsewhere in this Chapter 91, Departments shall: (a) Provide Language Access Services in the required languages or languages spoken by a Substantial Number of LEP Persons that provides vital information to the public about the Department’s services or programs; (b) Maintain data based on the Language Access Services provided to the public; (c) Upon request, provide Language Access Services in languages not covered by the required languages that provide vital information to the public about the Department’s services or programs. The Department shall acknowledge the request within 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. Departments shall make good faith efforts to translate the requested materials within a reasonable amount of time and provide the requester with a due date. (d) Inform LEP Persons who seek services, in their native tongue, of their right to request Language Access Services and their right to file a complaint; e1 Create a process where all persons may provide feedback on the Department’s Language Access Services; (f) Use OCEIA’s standardized vocabulary list; (g) Prominently post in main entrance or reception areas the availability of Language Access Services and OCEIA’s know-your-rights brochure translated in the required languages; (h) Create and maintain a language access policy and review it annually; (b)1 Create and maintain a language access policy and review it annually; (i) Designate a language access coordinator who is responsible for managing the Department’s Language Access Services; (j) Use a community-focused approach to language access services to ensure that residents receive information about City programs and services, including public service announcements; (k) Upon request, translate the investigative summary report; (l) Budget and plan for the Department’s delivery of Language Access Services; and (m) Use good faith efforts to comply with the provisions of this Chapter 91 1 OCEIA’s recommendations and directives. Departments shall prioritize Language Access Services 1 Over time, Departments shall fully comply with the provisions of this Chapter 91 . (Added by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015) (Former Sec. 91.14 redesignated as Sec. 91.16 and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 116-24.

In its advisory capacity, the Commission may make recommendations to improve Chapter 91. The Commission’s duties shall include: (a) reviewing all OCEIA reports; (b) reviewing complaints and OCEIA’s resolution of them; (c) recommending policy changes to language access; (d) identifying new trends that may present new challenges tor language access; (e) identifying new practices that further the objectives of this Chapter; and (f) conducting public hearings related to items (a) through (e). (Added as Sec. 91.11 by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; redesignated as Sec. 91.13 and amended by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015) (Former Sec. 91.15 redesignated as 91.17 by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024)

Subject to the budgetary and fiscal provisions of the Charter, OCEIA shall work with all Departments providing emergency response services under Section 91.9 to aid in their compliance with its provisions and may provide technical assistance to support the Departments’ Language Access Services, and investigate, monitor, and facilitate Departmental compliance with this Chapter 91. OCEIA may: (a) Provide technical assistance for Language Access Services for all Departments, including but not limited to, create a vocabulary list with standardized terms applicable to all Departments, yearly trainings for department staff, consultations as needed, and language access tools and resources;;1 (b) Coordinate Language Access Services across Departments, including but not limited to maintaining a directory of qualified language service providers for Departments to utilize and carry out their responsibilities under this Chapter 91, maintaining Language Access Services, translations, and interpretations contracts for all Departments, maintaining an inventory of language services equipment, and providing assistance to Departments, the Board of Supervisors, and the Mayor’s Office in identifying bilingual staff; (c) Provide Departments with model Annual Compliance Reports and language access policies; (d) If OCEIA determines a new language meets the annual threshold amount in section 91.2 (“Substantial Number of LEP Persons”), OCEIA shall notify all affected Departments of its determination. OCEIA shall also post that determination on its website for 120 days prior to certifying the new language. During that time period, OCEIA may conduct a study to confirm its determination. If OCEIA conducts such a study, the 120 days shall commence the day the study is published. The certification of a new language as a language spoken by a Substantial Number of LEP Persons shall take effect after the conclusion of the process described in this subsection (d); (e) Maintain a complaint form on OCEIA’s website in all certified languages spoken by a Substantial Number of LEP Persons; (f) Create a know-your-rights brochure for Language Access Services, that at a minimum explains the complaint process, provides information on how to file a complaint, and outlines possible resolutions to the complaint. The know-your-rights brochure shall be translated and made available in at least the top 20 languages in San Francisco that are most spoken and have the highest rate of language access needs; (g) Create and maintain a website for the posting of OCEIA’s investigative summary reports; (h) Perform audits, as needed, for compliance with the provisions of this Chapter; and (I)1 Investigate all potential violations of this Chapter. (Added as Sec. 91.14 by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) (Former Sec. 91.16 redesignated as Sec. 91.18 and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015) CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 116-24.

In order to effectuate the terms of this Chapter, OCEIA may adopt rules and regulations consistent with this Chapter. (Added as Sec. 91.12 by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; redesignated as Sec. 91.15 and amended by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) (Former Sec. 91.17 added as Sec. 91.14 by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; redesignated and amended by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; repealed by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015)

OCEIA shall be responsible for enforcement of this Chapter 91. OCEIA may investigate all potential violations of this Chapter. OCEIA may attempt to resolve noncompliance with this Chapter by any Department through informal processes, including mediation and conference and conciliation. OCEIA shall prepare a summary report of each investigation that will include findings and recommendations to address the issues raised in the complaint, including what action, if any, was undertaken by the Department in response to the complaint to ensure the Department’s compliance with this Chapter 91 and whether a Department failed to cooperate with OCEIA’s investigation 1 shall transmit 1 OCEIA shall transmit its investigative summary report to the Department, the Department of Human Resources, the Commission, the Mayor, and the Board of Supervisors. (Added as Sec. 91.13 by Ord. 126-01, File No. 010409, App. 6/15/2001; redesignated as Sec. 91.16 by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015; amended by Ord. 116-24, File No. 230868, App. 6/21/2024, Eff. 7/22/2024) (Former Sec. 91.18 redesignated as 91.19 and amended by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015) CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 116-24.

(a) By providing the public with equal access to language services, the City and County of San Francisco is assuming an undertaking only to promote the general welfare. It is not assuming, nor is it imposing on its officers and employees, an obligation for breach of which it is liable in money damages to any person who claims that such breach proximately caused injury. (b) The obligations set forth in the Language Access Ordinance are directory and the failure of the City to comply shall not provide a basis to invalidate any City action. (c) The Language Access Ordinance shall be interpreted and applied so as to be consistent with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, and Article X of the San Francisco Charter and so as not to impede or impair the City's obligations to comply with any court order or consent decree. (Added as Sec. 91.18 by Ord. 202-09, File No. 090461, App. 8/28/2009; redesignated by Ord. 27-15, File No. 141149, App. 3/12/2015, Eff. 4/11/2015)