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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor

Health and Human Services Agency
California Department of Public Health


AFL 15-27
December 15, 2015


TO:
General Acute Care Hospitals

SUBJECT:
Assembly Bill (AB) 389 – Hospital language assistance services


​AUTHORITY:      Health and Safety Code section 1259


All Facilities Letter (AFL) Summary

This AFL notifies general acute care hospitals (GACHs) of the chaptering of AB 389, which requires each GACH to make its language assistance services policy available on its internet website.

AB 389 (Chapter 327, Statutes of 2015) requires each GACH to make its language assistance policy and a notice of availability of language assistance services publically available on its internet website by July 1, 2016. Each hospital must publish the notice in English and up to five other of the most commonly spoken languages within the hospital’s service area.

Additionally, each GACH must submit the policy to its respective California Department of Public (CDPH) district office no later than July 1, 2016, and CDPH will make the policy publically available on its internet website.

The information in this AFL is a brief summary of the provisions of AB 389. Facilities are responsible for following all applicable laws. CDPH’s failure to expressly notify facilities of statutory or regulatory requirements does not relieve facilities of their responsibility for following all laws and regulations. Facilities should refer to the full text of all applicable sections of the Health and Safety Code.

If you have any questions regarding this AFL, please contact your respective district office.

 

Sincerely,

Original signed by Jean Iacino

Jean Iacino
Deputy Director

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