California Code, Government Code - GOV § 7291

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the effective maintenance and development of a free and democratic society depends on the right and ability of its citizens and residents to communicate with their government and the right and ability of the government to communicate with them.

The Legislature further finds and declares that substantial numbers of persons who live, work and pay taxes in this state are unable, either because they do not speak or write English at all, or because their primary language is other than English, effectively to communicate with their government.  The Legislature further finds and declares that state and local agency employees frequently are unable to communicate with persons requiring their services because of this language barrier.  As a consequence, substantial numbers of persons presently are being denied rights and benefits to which they would otherwise be entitled.

It is the intention of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to provide for effective communication between all levels of government in this state and the people of this state who are precluded from utilizing public services because of language barriers.