Moua

MEMORANDUM OF OPINION AND ORDER

The central issue in this case is whether the Equal Protection Clause requires a police department to provide an interpreter for any non-English-speaking victim of a crime who seeks police assistance. The plaintiffs in this case are Chico residents of Hmong ancestry who speak Hmong as their primary language and have limited proficiency in English. Invoking the Equal Protection Clause, they seek to compel the City of Chico to provide interpretation services to translate between Chico law enforcement officers and Hmong residents with limited English proficiency. In our diverse nation, such a result would have far-reaching implications as to what is required of local governments in the provision of municipal services.

Plaintiffs bring claims against the municipal defendants under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 , the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”), and for a writ of mandate to enforce California Government Code § 11135. Plaintiffs also bring suit against Chad Keichler (“Keichler”) for violations of the FHA, FEHA, the California Ralph Civil Rights Act, Civ.Code § 51.7, the California Bane Civil Rights Act, Civ.Code…