Short title

This Act may be cited as the

21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act

or the

21st Century IDEA

Findings

The Congress finds the following: (1)Restoring the United States Government’s global leadership position in technology and electronic government requires a new approach—one that narrows the growing gap between the digital demands of citizens and the fashion in which the Government provides digital services to the American people. (2)Legislation is needed to accelerate the transition from an analog and paper-based Government to a 21st century digital Government. (3)The recent passage of the Modernizing Government Technology Act and the Connected Government Act has laid the foundation for Government’s transformation to modern, digital platforms. (4)Enhanced citizen-facing and internal digital service delivery will dramatically reduce the cost of Government operations and improve customer experience.

Website modernization

(a)

Requirements for Existing Executive Agency Websites and Digital Services

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of an executive agency that maintains a website or digital service that is available to the public shall ensure that such website or service meets the following requirements: (1)

Website Consolidation and Consistent Look

Eliminate or consolidate websites or web pages that are duplicative or overlapping. Ensure a consistent look of public-facing websites and digital services. (2)

Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities

Ensure that each website, web-based form, and web-based application of an executive agency are accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d). (3)

Information Searchable and Discoverable

Contain a search function that allows users to easily search content intended for public use. (4)

Secure Connection

Provision through an industry standard secure connection. (5)

Data Analytics

Designed around user needs with data-driven analysis influencing management and development decisions, using qualitative and quantitative data to determine user goals, needs, and behaviors, and continually testing websites and digital services to ensure that user needs are addressed. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, quantitative and qualitative research, including user testing, related to the development of websites or other public facing digital services shall not be considered a collection of information for the purposes of section 3507 of title 44, United States Code. (6)

Content personalization

Ensure users have the option for a more customized digital experience, allowing them to complete digital transactions in an efficient and accurate manner. (b)

Requirements for new websites and digital services

Any website or digital service of an executive agency that is made available to the public after the date of the enactment of this Act shall meet the minimum requirements described in subsection (a). (c)

Internal Digital Services

The head of each executive agency shall ensure to the greatest extent practicable that any new Intranet conforms to the requirements in subsection (a). (d)

Public reporting

The head of each executive agency shall submit to the Director an annual report on the progress an executive agency is making in implementing the requirements described in this section for the previous year and shall make the report available to the public. (e)

Compliance with United States website standards

Any new website of an executive agency shall be in compliance with the website standards of the Technology Transformation Services of the General Services Administration.

Digitization of Government services and forms

(a)

Digital service option required

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each executive agency shall make available to the public an online, mobile-friendly, digital service option for any in-person Government transaction or paper-based process in a manner that decreases cost, increases digital conversion rates, and improves customer experience. (b)

Forms and services required To be digital

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each executive agency shall ensure that any paper-based form, application, or service that is related to serving the public is made available to the public in a digital format.

Electronic signatures

(a)

Plan for use of electronic signatures

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each executive agency shall submit to the Director and appropriate congressional committees a plan to accelerate the use of electronic signatures standards established in the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.). (b)

Executive agency compliance

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each executive agency shall certify and report full compliance with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (Public Law 106–229) and the OMB Circular A–130—Managing Information as a Strategic Resource guidance, to support the use of electronic signatures by the Federal Government.

Customer experience and digital service delivery

The Chief Information Officer of each executive agency, or a designee, shall: (1)Coordinate and ensure alignment of the executive agency’s internal and external customer experience programs and strategy. (2)Coordinate with the executive agency management leaders (the head of the executive agency, the Chief Financial Officer, and any program manager) to ensure proper funding to support implementation of this bill. (3)Continually examine the digital service delivery strategy of the executive agency to the public and submit recommendations to the head of the relevant executive agency providing guidance and best practices suitable to the mission of the executive agency. (4)Using qualitative and quantitative data obtained from across the executive agency relating to customers’ experience and satisfaction, identify areas of concern that need improvement and improve the customer service delivery. (5)Coordinate and ensure, with the approval of the head of the executive agency, executive agency compliance with section 3559 of title 44, United States Code.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Digital service

The term digital service means the delivery of electronic information (such as data or content) and transactional services (such as online forms or benefits applications) across a variety of platforms, devices, and delivery mechanisms (such as websites, mobile applications, or social media). (2)

Director

The term Director means the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (3)

Executive agency

The term executive agency has the meaning given the term Executive agency in section 105 of title 5, United States Code. (4)

Intranet

The term Intranet means a network belonging to an organization or group of organizations and any sub department of the organization, accessible only by the authorized members and systems of the organization, employees of organizations, or others with secure authentication.