The objectives of these Guidelines are to: (a) Improve access to and the quality of state services, programs and activities for non-English speakers and LEP persons; (b) Reduce disparities and delays, if any, in provision of state services/programs to eligible non-English speakers and LEP persons compared with eligible English speakers; and, (c) Increase agency effectiveness and public satisfaction. Additionally, these Guidelines are meant to establish a common baseline for creating access to non-English speakers and LEP persons. An agency may and should go beyond these guidelines as needs and circumstances dictate. Finally, these guidelines shall serve as the basis for the development of state agency language access plans.

The role of the Office of Access and Opportunity under Executive Order 519 is to ensure non-discrimination, diversity and equal opportunity in all aspects of state employment. Consistent with this authority, the Office of Access and Opportunity seeks to ensure consistency across state agencies in the treatment of LEP persons by way of creating a common baseline among agencies, while recognizing the various roles and needs of these agencies. Inconsistencies and contradictions across state agencies may needlessly increase costs without rendering meaningful access to non-English speakers and LEP persons.