An amendment numbered 15 printed in part C of House Report 111-506 to require the use of plain writing by the Department of the Treasury and the Small Business Administration for documents relevant to obtaining a benefit or service under the bill.

1. Adds TITLE IV--PLAIN WRITING ACT at the end of the bill

   Adds a title

   Inserted: TITLE IV--PLAIN WRITING ACT

   Inserted: SECTION 401. SHORT TITLE.

   Inserted: This title may be cited as the "Plain Writing Act of 2010".

   Inserted: SEC. 402. PURPOSE.

   Inserted: The purpose of this title 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.

   Inserted: SEC. 403. DEFINITIONS.

   Inserted: In this title:

   Inserted: (1) Agency.--The term "agency" means the Department of the Treasury and the Small Business Administration.

   Inserted: (2) Covered document.--The term "covered document"--

   Inserted: (A) means any document that--

   Inserted: (i) is relevant to obtaining any Federal Government benefit or service provided under title I, II, or III;

   Inserted: (ii) provides information about any Federal Government benefit or service provided under title I, II, or III; or

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   Inserted: (iii) explains to the public how to comply with a requirement the Federal Government administers or enforces under title I, II, or III;

   Inserted: (B) includes (whether in paper or electronic form) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction; and

   Inserted: (C) does not include a regulation.

   Inserted: (3) Plain writing.--The term "plain writing" means writing that the intended audience can readily understand and use because that writing is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices of plain writing.

   Inserted: SEC. 404. RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.

   Inserted: (a) Preparation for Implementation of Plain Writing Requirements.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this title, the head of each agency shall--

   Inserted: (A) designate 1 or more senior officials within the agency to oversee the agency implementation of this title;

   Inserted: (B) communicate the requirements of this title to the employees of the agency;

   Inserted: (C) train employees of the agency in plain writing;

   Inserted: (D) establish a process for overseeing the ongoing compliance of the agency with the requirements of this title;

   Inserted: (E) create and maintain a plain writing section of the agency's website that is accessible from the homepage of the agency's website; and

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

   Inserted: (i) agency implementation of this title; and

   Inserted: (ii) the agency reports required under section 405.

   Inserted: (2) Website.--The plain writing section described under paragraph (1)(E) shall--

   Inserted: (A) inform the public of agency compliance with the requirements of this title; and

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

   Inserted: (i) agency implementation of this title; and

   Inserted: (ii) the agency reports required under section 405.

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

   Inserted: (c) Guidance.--In carrying out the provisions of this title, agencies may follow the guidance of--

   Inserted: (1) the writing guidelines developed by the Plain Language Action and Information Network; or

   Inserted: (2) guidance provided by the head of the agency.

   Inserted: SEC. 405. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

   Inserted: (a) Initial Report.--Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this title, 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 title.

   Inserted: (b) Annual Compliance Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this title, 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 title.

   Original wording

   Add at the end the following new title:

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As printed