Helping Baltimore Residents with Limited English Skills

Baltimore is committed to making sure everyone can use City services, including people who don’t speak English well. People with limited English skills have the right to get important information in a language they understand. These language services are free for all people who live in or visit Baltimore.

Baltimore City Law 

In 2024, Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Baltimore City Council approved City Ordinance 24-440. 

This ordinance makes sure that: 

  • All City departments that serve the public provide fair language access;
  • Residents have a way to report departments that do not follow the law;
  • And departments can self-report that they are following the law.

Our Office's Role

The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs makes sure Baltimore follows the city's language access rules. Our goal is to help Baltimore stay a Welcoming City by following the law and making sure everyone, including people who don’t speak English well, can get the help they need.

"I Speak Baltimore"

The "I Speak" campaign represents Baltimore's language access programs that assist non-English speakers in communicating with government agencies and services. The federal government and other cities in the U.S. show their commitment to language access with "I Speak" campaigns of their own.

Contact

Please email language.access@baltimorecity.gov with any questions related to language access in Baltimore City.

Language Access Resources

Language Access Ordinance

Learn about the city's commitment to providing language access services for all residents.
Read about the law

I Speak Baltimore

Communicate your language needs by using these "I Speak" language access cards.
Download language access cards

Language Access Plans

Discover how city agencies are ensuring language access through tailored plans and services.
See agencies' language access plans

Resources for City Employees

Baltimore City employees can access language support resources and tools on the SharePoint site.
Access the Language Access SharePoint