    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 111-274
    111th Congress

    An Act

    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. <>

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
    United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
    SECTION 1. <> SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Plain Writing Act of 2010''.
    SEC. 2. <> PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to improve the effectiveness and
    accountability of Federal agencies to the public by promoting clear
    Government communication that the public can understand and use.
    SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
    (1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' means an Executive agency,
    as defined under section 105 of title 5, United States Code.
    (2) Covered document.--The term ``covered document''--
    (A) means any document that--
    (i) is necessary for obtaining any Federal
    Government benefit or service or filing taxes;
    (ii) provides information about any Federal
    Government benefit or service; or
    (iii) explains to the public how to comply
    with a requirement the Federal Government
    administers or enforces;
    (B) includes (whether in paper or electronic form) a
    letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction; and
    (C) does not include a regulation.
    (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.
    SEC. 4. <> RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL
    AGENCIES.

    (a) Preparation for Implementation of Plain Writing Requirements.--
    (1) In general.-- <> Not later than 9
    months after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each
    agency shall--
    (A) <> designate 1 or more
    senior officials within the agency to oversee the agency
    implementation of this Act;

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    (B) communicate the requirements of this Act to the
    employees of the agency;
    (C) train employees of the agency in plain writing;
    (D) establish a process for overseeing the ongoing
    compliance of the agency with the requirements of this
    Act;
    (E) <> create and maintain a plain
    writing section of the agency's website as required
    under paragraph (2) that is accessible from the homepage
    of the agency's website; and
    (F) <> designate 1 or more
    agency points-of-contact to receive and respond to
    public input on--
    (i) agency implementation of this Act; and
    (ii) the agency reports required under section
    5.
    (2) Website.--The plain writing section described under
    paragraph (1)(E) shall--
    (A) inform the public of agency compliance with the
    requirements of this Act; and
    (B) <> provide a mechanism
    for the agency to receive and respond to public input
    on--
    (i) agency implementation of this Act; and
    (ii) the agency reports required under section
    5.

    (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.

    (c) Guidance.--
    (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.
    (2) Interim guidance.--Before the issuance of guidance under
    paragraph (1), agencies may follow the guidance of--
    (A) the writing guidelines developed by the Plain
    Language Action and Information Network; or
    (B) guidance provided by the head of the agency that
    is consistent with the guidelines referred to in
    subparagraph (A).
    SEC. 5. <> REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

    (a) Initial Report.--Not later than 9 months after the date of
    enactment of this Act, the head of each agency shall publish on the
    plain writing section of the agency's website a report that describes
    the agency plan for compliance with the requirements of this Act.
    (b) Annual Compliance Report.--Not later than 18 months after the
    date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the head of each
    agency shall publish on the plain writing section of the agency's
    website a report on agency compliance with the requirements of this Act.
    SEC. 6. <> JUDICIAL REVIEW AND
    ENFORCEABILITY.

    (a) Judicial Review.--There shall be no judicial review of
    compliance or noncompliance with any provision of this Act.

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    (b) Enforceability.--No provision of this Act shall be construed to
    create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable by
    any administrative or judicial action.
    SEC. 7. <> BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF PAYGO
    LEGISLATION FOR THIS ACT.

    The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying
    with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by
    reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO
    Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional
    Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such
    statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

    Approved October 13, 2010.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 946:
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    HOUSE REPORTS: No. 111-432 (Comm. on Oversight and Government Reform).
    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 156 (2010):
    Mar. 17, considered and passed House.
    Sept. 27, considered and passed Senate, amended.
    Sept. 29, House concurred in Senate amendments.