Law
The Plain Writing ActSEC. 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:AGENCY.The term agency means an Executive agency, as defined under section 105 of title 5, United States Code.COVERED DOCUMENT.The term covered documentmeans any document thatis necessary for obtaining any Federal Government benefit or service or filing taxes;provides information about any Federal Government benefit or service; orexplains to the public how to comply with a requirement the Federal Government administers or enforces;includes (whether in paper or electronic form) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction; anddoes not include a regulation.PLAIN WRITING.The term plain writing means writing that is clear, concise and well-organized, and that follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience.SEC. 4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.PREPARATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAIN WRITING REQUIREMENTS.IN GENERAL.Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each agency shalldesignate one or more senior officials within the agency to oversee the agency implementation of this Act;communicate the requirements of this Act to the employees of the agency;train employees of the agency in plain writing;establish a process for overseeing the ongoing compliance of the agency with the requirements of this Act;create and maintain a plain-writing section of the agencys website as required under paragraph (2) that is accessible from the home page of the agencys website; anddesignate 1 or more agency points of contact to receive and respond to public input on implementation and reports required under section 5.WEBSITE.The plain-writing section described under paragraph (1)(E) shallinform the public of agency compliance with the requirements of this Act; andprovide a mechanism for the agency to receive and respond to public input on implementation and reports required under section 5.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.GUIDANCE.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.INTERIM GUIDANCE.Before the issuance of guidance under paragraph (1), agencies may follow the guidance of the writing guidelines developed by the Plain Language Action and Information Network or guidance provided by the head of the agency that is consistent with those guidelines.QuestionFor website pages on tax shelters, the Plain Writing Act requires that which of the following be considered?