HR 946 EAS

To enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing that Government documents issued to the public must be written clearly, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

’, do pass with the following

AMENDMENTS:

( 1 ) On page 2, line 17, strike [Struck out->][ relevant to ][<-Struck out] and insert necessary for

( 2 ) On page 3, strike lines 5 through 9 and insert the following:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

In this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AGENCY- The term ‘agency’ means an Executive agency, as defined under section 105 of title 5, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) COVERED DOCUMENT- The term ‘covered document’--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) means any document that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) is necessary for obtaining any Federal Government benefit or service or filing taxes;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) provides information about any Federal Government benefit or service; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) explains to the public how to comply with a requirement the Federal Government administers or enforces;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) includes (whether in paper or electronic form) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) does not include a regulation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PLAIN WRITING- The term ‘plain writing’ means writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(a) Preparation for Implementation of Plain Writing Requirements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each agency shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) designate 1 or more senior officials within the agency to oversee the agency implementation of this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) communicate the requirements of this Act to the employees of the agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) train employees of the agency in plain writing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) establish a process for overseeing the ongoing compliance of the agency with the requirements of this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) create and maintain a plain writing section of the agency’s website as required under paragraph (2)

Attest:

Secretary.

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

H.R. 946

AMENDMENTS

that is accessible from the homepage of the agency’s website; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink




(F) designate 1 or more agency points-of-contact to receive and respond to public input on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) agency implementation of this Act; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the agency reports required under section 5.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) WEBSITE- The plain writing section described under paragraph (1)(E) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) inform the public of agency compliance with the requirements of this Act; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) provide a mechanism for the agency to receive and respond to public input on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) agency implementation of this Act; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the agency reports required under section 5.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Requirement to Use Plain Writing in New Documents- Beginning not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, each agency shall use plain writing in every covered document of the agency that the agency issues or substantially revises.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Guidance-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall develop and issue guidance on implementing the requirements of this section. The Director may designate a lead agency, and may use interagency working groups to assist in developing and issuing the guidance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) INTERIM GUIDANCE- Before the issuance of guidance under paragraph (1), agencies may follow the guidance of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the writing guidelines developed by the Plain Language Action and Information Network; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) guidance provided by the head of the agency that is consistent with the guidelines referred to in subparagraph (A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink