Limited English Proficiency Procedures

Minneapolis in any language. The City is strongly committed to making City services available to everyone, regardless of language barriers.

The City of Minneapolis is strongly committed to making City services and information about those services available to everyone, regardless of language barriers. This commitment stems from overall city goals of responsive government, community engagement, and customer service. As residents, workers or visitors who contribute to city life, people with limited English proficiency (LEP) are entitled to fair and equal access to service.

The City of Minneapolis and its departments are required by federal law to plan and provide meaningful access to services for those with limited English proficiency. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related federal regulations, state law and municipal ordinances apply to all city department and contracted vendors.

In November 2003, the City Council passed a resolution approving the creation of a citywide Limited English Proficiency Plan, to give specific direction to staff about how to make city services accessible to those who speak limited English. The plan detailed below is the result of months of planning, consultation and review of legal mandates and LEP plans created by other cities and counties.

Limited English Proficiency Plan

Complete Limited English Proficiency Plan

Table of Contents

  • Summary
  • Introduction
    • How to use this plan
    • The LEP population in Minneapolis
    • Legal mandates for LEP services
  • What is LEP Service
    • Definitions of LEP service
    • Components of LEP service
    • Notice and identification; interpreting and translation; hiring and training
    • General policies for LEP service and primary language groups
    • General procedures for LEP service
  • Notice and Identification
    • Definitions for notice
    • Policies for notice
    • Definitions for identification
    • Policies for identification
    • Procedures for identification
  • Interpreting and Translation
    • Definitions for interpreting
    • Policies for interpreting
    • Procedures for interpreting
    • Definitions for translation
    • Policies for translation
    • Procedures for translation
  • Staffing and Training
    • Definitions for staffing
    • Policies for staffing
    • Procedures for staffing
    • Policies for training
    • Procedures for training
  • Carrying out the LEP Plan
    • Implementing the plan
    • Monitoring and updating the plan
    • The role of the Multicultural Services Coordinator
    • Resolving complaints about LEP services
    • Resources and References
  • Print Resources
    1. Report on Minneapolis LEP services as of April 2004
    2. Legal opinion from Assistant City Attorney
    3. How to calculate primary languages
    4. Summary of Minneapolis LEP community member comments
    5. "Safe harbors provision" of Department of Justice guidance on vital documents and primary languages