LimitedENGLISH PROFICIENCYOFFICE(LEP)

Title VI of the Civil RightsAct of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basisof race,color,or national origin in anyprogram or activity that receivesfederal fundsor other federal financial assistance.Asa recipient of federal assistance,the Northern Mariana IslandsJudiciaryisrequired to take reasonable stepsto provide meaningful accessto programs,services,and information to Limited English Proficiency (?LEP?) and Deaf and Hard of Hearing (?DHH?).In response to this mandate,in November 2015,the Judiciaryadopted itsLanguage AccessPolicy and Plan through Supreme Court Administrative Order 2015-ADM-0023-RUL.

The Language AccessPolicy and Plan wasadopted to provide timely,meaningful,and equal accessto Judiciaryprograms,services,and information to LEPand DHH individualsand isconsistent with Title VI of the Civil RightsAct of 1964.When creating the Language AccessPolicyand Plan,the Judiciaryfollowed the United StatesDepartment of Justice Civil RightsDivision?recommended four-factor analysisto determine reasonable steps in implementing a policyfor LEPand DHH individuals.The factorsinclude the number or proportion of LEP/DHH personsserved or encountered in the eligible service population; the frequency with which LEP/DHH personscome in contact with the program; the nature and importance of the program,activity,or service provided bythe program; and the resources available to the recipient.

Thisyear the Judiciarywasable to conduct a number of important training sessionswith court staff and certifyadditional court interpreters. Additionally,General Counsel Hyun Jae Lee traveled to Hawaii to observe multiple sessionsof specialtycourtsand court interpreting services.

MEMBERS

Associate Justice PerryB.Inos,Chairman

Clerk of Court for the Supreme Court JudyT.Aldan,Esq.

Clerk of Court for the Superior Court Patrick V.Diaz

AttorneyGeneral Edward Manibusan

Chief PublicDefender DouglasHartig

AttorneyCristopher A.Heeb,Esq.