(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

1. (1) The provision of services that are culturally and linguistically responsive to consumers is instrumental to improving access and equity in the developmental services system.
2. (2) Direct service professionals are critical to the provision of services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
3. (3) In recognition of the value of effective communication between direct service professionals and the consumers and families they serve, the provision of a pay differential for bilingual and multilingual direct service professionals will increase consumer access to staff who speak their preferred language.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law, a direct service professional described in subdivision (b) is eligible for a bilingual or multilingual differential if both of the following conditions are met:

1. (1) The duties currently assigned to the direct service professional require regular communication in a language or medium other than English with an individual that has a developmental disability, and when appropriate, their families.
2. (2) The direct service professional passes an examination certifying their ability to communicate in the language or medium other than English.
3. (3) For the purpose of this section, “medium other than English” includes, but is not limited to, American Sign Language and other sign languages and augmentative and alternative communication.