1. État, peuple, Authorities » 17. Authorities » 170. General Provisions

1 The present law aims to promote the use of the French language and to enhance its influence within the cantonal territory.

2 In particular, it seeks to develop the use of the French language in all areas of everyday life.

1 This law is enacted in compliance with the freedom of language, the principle of territoriality of languages, as well as in respect for minorities and linguistic diversity.

2 In particular, the freedom of language and the rights of citizens residing or having their registered office in a part of the cantonal territory that is not French-speaking, as well as the rights of the concerned public authorities, are not affected by this law.

Special provisions, particularly those concerning procedure, are reserved.

1. The terms used in this law to designate persons apply equally to both women and men.

2. In this law, the term

a) "authority" refers to any State body and its members;

b) "Department" refers to the department to which the Office of Culture is affiliated;

c) "administered" refers to any individual or group of individuals or properties, regardless of their legal status, that have contact with an authority;

d) "other entities" refers to

- municipalities, other public bodies, and public law institutions;

- groups of individuals or properties, regardless of their legal status, in which the State has at least a majority stake, which are entrusted with carrying out public tasks or receive financial benefits from the State.

1 French is the language of the authorities.

2 They are required to use it correctly, understandably, and with quality.

3 They take into account its regular adaptations to the evolution of science and technology.

1 Regardless of the method used, the authorities communicate in French with the citizens, among themselves, and within their own organization.

2 The citizens communicate in French with the authorities.

The authorities ensure that other bodies apply the provisions of this section by analogy.

Communications that an authority, another organization, or a private citizen disseminates in a language other than French are reserved, particularly if federal or cantonal law, specifically Article 2, the protection of a police interest, informational or technical reasons, private legal relations, or courtesy require or permit it.

1 The State promotes the use of French.

2 To this end

a) it ensures education that enables mastery and fosters a love of the French language;

b) it supports the use of French by any person in the public sphere (while respecting, in particular, economic freedom), especially when a person communicates in the media, at their workplace, or in dealings with consumers;

c) it supports the creation and various forms of cultural expression in the French language;

d) it ensures that individuals who benefit from State services use French in activities related to those services;

e) it issues recommendations, particularly to avoid unnecessary or shocking Anglicisms;

f) it launches any initiative aimed at promoting the use of quality French;

g) it develops intercantonal and international exchanges related to the French language.

3 It takes multilingualism into consideration, especially when it concerns national languages.

The State may also take measures to promote heritage linked to the vernacular language.

The State Chancellery coordinates the implementation of Section 2.

1 A Council for the French Language (hereinafter referred to as "the Council") is established.

2 The head of the Office of Culture is a member. The Council consists of six to eight other members, four of whom are proposed by the Bureau of Parliament. The members are appointed by the Government for the duration of the legislative term. Their mandate is renewable.

3 The Government designates the president.

4 The Parliament Secretariat provides the secretariat for the Council.

The Council has the following responsibilities

a) It gives its opinion, at the request of the Government or the Department, on any matter related to the language;

b) It may submit proposals to the Government or the Department concerning the language, particularly in accordance with Article 5, paragraph 3, and Section 3, or when requested by a citizen, an authority, or another organization;

c) It reviews legislative projects in accordance with Article 14;

d) It advises the State Chancellery in the application of Article 11;

e) It coordinates its actions with French language management bodies in Switzerland and abroad;

f) It submits an annual report to the Government on its activities;

g) It handles matters entrusted to it by the Government.

1 A delegation of the Council, composed of at least its president and the four members proposed by the Bureau of Parliament, reviews the draft constitutional revisions and laws after the first reading by Parliament.

2 The Bureau of Parliament may also submit other texts to it, notably draft decrees of particular importance.

3 The review focuses on the French text. Material modifications to the drafts are excluded.

4 The Council delegation conducts its review in such a way that it does not hinder the legislative process.

5 It consults the Legal Service and, if necessary, the president of the parliamentary committee to which the project is assigned.

1 Members of the Council are subject to the provisions on official secrecy applicable to public officials.

2 The operating expenses of the Council are charged to the budget and accounts of the Office of Culture. Within this budgetary framework, the Council may employ experts.

3 Furthermore, the provisions relating to cantonal commissions apply to the Council.

The Government may enact the necessary provisions for the execution of this law.

The Regulation of the Parliament of the Republic and Canton of Jura of December 16, 1998, is amended as follows

Article 46

Repealed.

This law is subject to an optional referendum.

The Government determines the commencement of this law.