New York Language Access Compliance Map for Healthcare Organizations
A tiered overview of New York's own healthcare language-access requirements for limited English proficient patients, which add to the federal baseline of Title VI and Section 1557: the statewide language access policy, the hospital language assistance program under 10 NYCRR 405.7, the SafeRx pharmacy translation law, New York City Local Law 30, and Medicaid and behavioral-health requirements.
NEW YORK · STATE EDITION
New York Language Access Compliance Map
New York's own healthcare language-access requirements for limited English proficient (LEP) patients.
These add to the federal baseline (Title VI and Section 1557); they do not replace it.
1
STATEWIDE POLICY
· State agencies and the Department of Health
Statewide language access policy
STATE AGENCIES · VITAL DOCUMENTS
State agencies, including the Department of Health, must translate vital documents into the
state's most common non-English languages and provide free interpretation.
2
HOSPITALS
· 10 NYCRR 405.7, reinforced by 2025 statute
PRIMARY REQUIREMENT
Hospital language assistance program
Every hospital must operate a language assistance program under 10 NYCRR 405.7:
• Designate a language access coordinator and assess LEP needs each year
• Translate significant forms and instructions into the area's primary languages
• Provide interpreters and post multilingual signage about free services
• Train patient-facing staff and document the language services provided
3
PHARMACIES
· Prescription translation and interpreting
SafeRx pharmacy language access
EDUCATION LAW §6829 · 8 NYCRR 63.11
Chain pharmacies must provide free translation of prescription and warning labels, plus oral
interpretation, for LEP patients in the pharmacy's primary languages.
4
NEW YORK CITY
· Citywide agencies and public hospitals
NYC Local Law 30
CITYWIDE LANGUAGE ACCESS
New York City agencies, including NYC Health + Hospitals, must translate documents and offer
telephonic interpretation in the city's designated citywide languages.
5
MEDICAID & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
· Coverage and treatment settings
Medicaid and behavioral health
10 NYCRR PART 86 · OASAS PART 815
Medicaid can reimburse hospitals for language assistance, and addiction-treatment programs must
provide interpretation and translation, including American Sign Language.
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