117 S2287 IS: LGBTQ Data Inclusion Act U.S. Senate 2021-06-24 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2287IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 24, 2021Ms. Baldwin (for herself, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Markey, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Smith, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Kaine, and Ms. Rosen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsA BILLTo improve Federal population surveys by requiring the collection of voluntary, self-disclosed information on sexual orientation and gender identity in certain surveys, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the LGBTQ Data Inclusion Act.

2.

Requirement to collect data on sexual orientation and gender identity

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Agency

The term agency has the meaning given the term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.(2)

Demographic data

The term demographic data means information about the race or ethnicity, sex, and age of a survey participant or population.(3)

Gender identity

The term gender identity means an individual’s sense of being male, female, transgender, or another gender, as distinct from the individual’s sex assigned at birth.(4)

Sexual orientation

The term sexual orientation—(A)means how a person identifies in terms of their emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions; and (B)includes identification as straight, heterosexual, gay, lesbian, or bisexual, among other terms.(5)

Survey

The term survey—(A)means a data collection activity involving observation or questionnaires for a sample of a population; and (B)includes the decennial census.(b)

Survey requirement

Any agency that collects information through a survey that includes demographic data where subjects either self-report information or a knowledgeable proxy provides information about the subject or responds for all persons in a household shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, establish data standards that require, with regard to such a survey, the following:(1)

Review

The review of existing data sets to determine in which data sets information about sexual orientation and gender identity is not included.(2)

Methods

An identification of appropriate methods to include questions on sexual orientation and gender identity in surveys that facilitate categorization, voluntary participation, and preserve privacy and confidentiality.(3)

Data collection

The use of the appropriate methods identified in paragraph (2) to gather data on sexual orientation and gender identity.(4)

Assessment

The implementation of a process to routinely assess needed changes in survey methods related to asking questions on sexual orientation and gender identity.(c)

Data reports

Any report published by an agency that relies on survey demographic data shall include information on sexual orientation and gender identity.(d)

Confidentiality

Any information collected relating to the sexual orientation or gender identity of a survey participant shall be maintained in accordance with the confidentiality and privacy standards and policies for the protection of individuals applicable to that survey.(e)

Applicability

(1)

Construction

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require an individual to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to an agency.(2)

Exemption from penalty

An individual shall not be subject to any fine or other penalty for refusing to answer, or providing a false answer to, any survey question regarding gender identity or sexual orientation, including any fine or penalty under subchapter II of chapter 7 of title 13, United States Code.(f)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the use of information collected under this section in a manner that would adversely affect any individual.