[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Bridgeport 9-26-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-04, approved 9-26-2006. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Personnel policies — See Ch. 78.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited
as the "Borough of Bridgeport Official English Ordinance."
The people of the Borough of Bridgeport find
and declare:
A.
That the English language is the common language of
the Borough of Bridgeport, of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and
of the United States.
B.
That the use of a common language removes barriers
of misunderstanding and helps to unify the people of the Borough of
Bridgeport, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States
and helps to enable the full economic and civic participation of all
its citizens, regardless of national origin, creed, race or other
characteristics, and thus a compelling governmental interest exists
in promoting, preserving and strengthening the use of the English
language.
C.
That proficiency in the English language, as well
as in languages other than the English language, benefits the Borough
of Bridgeport both economically and culturally and should be encouraged.
D.
That in addition to any other ways to promote proficiency
in the English language, the government of the Borough of Bridgeport
can promote proficiency in English by using the English language in
its official actions and activities.
E.
That in today's modern society, the Borough of Bridgeport
may also need to protect and preserve the rights of those who speak
only the English language to use or obtain governmental programs and
benefits.
F.
That the government of the Borough of Bridgeport can
reduce costs and promote efficiency in its roles as an employer and
as a government of the people by using the English language in its
official actions and activities.
A.
The English language is the official language of the
Borough of Bridgeport.
B.
The Borough Council, Mayor, and officials of the Borough
of Bridgeport shall take all steps necessary to ensure that the role
of English as the common language of the Borough of Bridgeport is
preserved and enhanced.
C.
The government of the Borough of Bridgeport shall
make no policy that diminishes or ignores the role of English as the
common language of the Borough of Bridgeport.
D.
Official actions of the Borough of Bridgeport that
bind or commit the Borough of Bridgeport or that give the appearance
of presenting the official views or position of the Borough of Bridgeport
shall be taken in the English language and in no other language. Unofficial
or nonbinding translations or explanations of official actions may
be provided separately in languages other than English, if they are
appropriately labeled as such and reference is made to a method to
obtain the official action; unless otherwise required by federal law
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, no person has a right to such
an unofficial or nonbinding translation or explanation, and no liability
or commitment of the Borough of Bridgeport shall be based on such
a translation or explanation.
E.
No ordinance, decree, program or policy of the Borough of Bridgeport or any of its subdivisions shall require the use of any language other than English for any documents, regulations, orders, transactions, proceedings, meetings, programs, or publications, except as provided in § 60-4.
F.
A person who speaks only the English language shall be eligible to participate in all programs, benefits and opportunities, including employment, provided by the Borough of Bridgeport and its subdivisions, except when required to speak another language as provided in § 60-4.
G.
No law, ordinance, decree, program or policy of the
Borough of Bridgeport or any of its subdivisions shall penalize or
impair the rights, obligations or opportunities available to any person
solely because a person speaks only the English language.
The Borough of Bridgeport and its subdivisions
may use a language other than English for any of the following purposes,
whether or not the use would be considered part of an official action:
A.
To teach or encourage the learning of languages other
than English.
B.
To protect the public health or safety.
C.
To teach English to those who are not fluent in the
language.
D.
To comply with the Native American Languages Act,
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Voting Rights
Act, or any other federal law or law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
E.
To protect the rights of criminal defendants and victims
of crime.
F.
To promote trade, commerce and tourism.
G.
To create or promote mottos or designations, inscribe
public monuments, and perform other acts involving the customary use
of a language other than English.
H.
To utilize terms of art or terms or phrases from other
languages which are commonly used in communications otherwise in English.
The declaration and use of English as the official
language of the Borough of Bridgeport should not be construed as infringing
upon the rights of any person to use a language other than English
in private communications or actions, including the right of government
officials (including elected officials) to communicate with others
while not performing official actions of the Borough of Bridgeport.
Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted
as conflicting with the statutes of the United States or the laws
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
