In an effort to make emergency communications more inclusive, Attorney General Nick Brown, joined by a coalition of 13 other attorneys general and New York City, is turning the heat on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The group is demanding the FCC to end its stall tactics and publish a rule that would revolutionize how multilingual populations receive critical alerts during emergencies. The rule, which promises to incorporate 13 additional languages and American Sign Language (ASL), aims to extend the reach of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) beyond English and Spanish-speaking communities.
Despite the unanimous adoption of the rule by the FCC in January 2025, there's been a concerning delay in its implementation. Almost 10 a months since the Multilingual Alerts Order was given the green light, its absence from the Federal Register keeps the 30-month countdown for wireless carriers to update their systems on hold. This bureaucratic stall is more than just a procedural hiccup; it stands in the way of ensuring that all Americans, regardless of language preference, have access to life-saving information during times of dire need. "The law is clear: the FCC can’t refuse to publish its own rules. Trump is again disregarding the safety of people who speak languages other than English," Brown stated, as reported by the Washington State Office of the Attorney General.
The inclusion of additional languages into the emergency alert system is a pivotal change; these messages warn the public of imminent threats such as natural disasters and public safety emergencies. Before the proposed expansion, WEAs were primarily issued in just English, later incorporating Spanish. Now, with the new rule, there's a potential to embrace a diversity of languages, ensuring equitable access to potentially life-saving communications.
However, the FCC's inertia on the matter has palpable implications. By not moving forward, non-English speakers nationwide continue to be at a disadvantage, potentially missing out on crucial alerts. The coalition is not taking this lightly; they've warned the FCC that failure to submit the rule for publication within 30 days could trigger legal action. The attorneys general's letter cites the Administrative Procedure Act and the FCC’s own regulations, stating that a failure to publish is a violation of federal law, regardless of the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Joining forces with Brown, New York Attorney General Letitia James leads the coalition that encompasses attorneys general from states like Connecticut, Delaware, and Illinois, to name a few.
