A Santa Barbara legislator wants cities and counties to do more to get information to non-English speakers during emergencies like brush fires.
SB 160 would require local governments to integrate interpreters and translators into emergency communications, and including members of community groups in disaster preparedness efforts.
The bill was introduced by Democratic State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson of Santa Barbara.
Jackson says that 44% of the state’s residents speak a language other than English in their homes, and that emergency plans must take their needs into account.
