Law and requirements

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<label class="usa-sr-only" for="search-input">Search</label> <input id="search-input" placeholder="Search..." type="search" name="q"> <button type="submit"> <span class="usa-sr-only">Search</span> </button> </div> </form> </div> </div> </nav> </header> <div class="usa-overlay"></div> <div class="flex-auto"> <div class="usa-grid usa-alert usa-alert-info"> <div class="usa-alert-body"><h3 class="usa-alert-heading">Information Status</h3><p class="usa-alert-text">We are currently revising content on plainlanguage.gov, including the federal guidelines, training materials, and other online resources. We’ve temporarily paused accepting training requests until after this update is complete. We hope to resume training later in the fall 2023.</p> </div> </div> <main id="main-content" class="usa-grid usa-content usa-layout-docs"> <aside class="usa-width-one-third usa-layout-docs-sidenav py3 sticky pr5 lg-show clearfix"> <h4 class="caps">In this section</h4> <ul class="usa-sidenav-list"> <li> <a href="/web/20230927053731/https://www.plainlanguage.gov/law/agency-programs/" class=" "> Agency programs and contacts </a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20230927053731/https://www.plainlanguage.gov/law/page-template/" class=" "> Plain writing page template </a> </li> </ul> <h4 class="caps mt5 mb3">Downloads</h4> <div class="guidelines clearfix"> <img src="/web/20230927053731im_/https://www.plainlanguage.gov/assets/img/guidelines-cover.png" class="left mr3" alt=""> <div class="overflow-hidden"> <h5 class="h4 mt0">Federal Plain Language Guidelines</h5> <p class="usa-text-small mb1"> Published: March 2011<br> Revised: May 2011 </p> <h6 class="my0">Download:</h6> <ul class="usa-unstyled-list"> <li class="inline-block"><a href="/web/20230927053731/https://www.plainlanguage.gov/media/FederalPLGuidelines.pdf" class="usa-label usa-text-small white bg-blue sans-serif text-decoration-none">PDF</a></li> <li class="inline-block"><a href="/web/20230927053731/https://www.plainlanguage.gov/media/FederalPLGuidelines.docx" class="usa-label usa-text-small white bg-blue sans-serif text-decoration-none">Word</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </aside> <div class="usa-width-two-thirds usa-layout__docs-main-content clearfix"> <h1>Law and requirements</h1> <p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230927053731/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ274/content-detail.html">Plain Writing Act of 2010</a> was signed on October 13, 2010. The law requires that federal agencies use clear government communication that the public can understand and use.</p> <p>While the Act does not cover regulations, three separate Executive Orders emphasize the need for plain language: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230927053731/https://www.archives.gov/files/federal-register/executive-orders/pdf/12866.pdf">E.O. 12866</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230927053731/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-1996-02-07/pdf/96-2755.pdf">E.O. 12988</a>, and <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230927053731/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2011-01-21/pdf/2011-1385.pdf">E.O. 13563</a>.</p> <h2 id="requirements">Requirements</h2> <p>Executive departments and agencies must:</p> <ol> <li> <p>Follow the <a href="/web/20230927053731/https://www.plainlanguage.gov/guidelines/">Federal Plain Language Guidelines</a>.</p> </li> <li> <p>Follow <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230927053731/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/memoranda/2011/m11-15.pdf">OMB’s Guidance on Implementing the Plain Writing Act</a>.</p> </li> <li> <p>Have a plain writing section on your website. Start with our templates for your <a href="/web/20230927053731/https://www.plainlanguage.gov/law/page-template/">plain writing page</a> and <a href="/web/20230927053731/https://www.plainlanguage.gov/media/agency_compliance_report_template.doc">compliance report</a> (DOC).</p> </li> </ol> <h2 id="deadlines">Deadlines</h2> <h3 id="by-july-13-2011-agencies-must">By July 13, 2011, agencies must:</h3> <ul> <li>designate a senior official for “plain writing”</li> <li>explain the Act’s requirements to staff</li> <li>establish a procedure to oversee the implementation of the Act within the agency</li> <li>train agency staff in plain writing</li> <li>designate staff as points of contact for the agency plain writing web page</li> <li>publish a <a href="/web/20230927053731/https://www.plainlanguage.gov/media/agency_compliance_report_template.doc">compliance report</a> (DOC) for meeting the requirements of the Act on its plain language web page</li> </ul> <h3 id="by-october-13-2011-agencies-must">By October 13, 2011, agencies must:</h3> <ol> <li>Use plain language in any document that: <ul> <li>is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes</li> <li>provides information about a federal government benefit or service, or</li> <li>explains to the public how to comply with a requirement that the federal government administers or enforces</li> </ul> </li> <li>Write annual compliance reports and post these reports on its plain language web page.</li> </ol> <h2 id="questions">Questions?</h2> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230927053731/mailto:info@plainlanguage.gov">Contact us</a> or <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230927053731/https://www.digitalgov.gov/communities/plain-language/">subscribe to our mailing list</a> for the latest updates.</p> </li> <li> <p>Request a free <a href="/web/20230927053731/https://www.plainlanguage.gov/training/">training session</a> for your federal agency.</p> </li> </ul> </div> </main> </div> <footer class="usa-footer" role="contentinfo"> <div class="usa-footer-primary-section usa-section bg-tan"> <div class="usa-grid"> <h2>Subscribe to our mailing list</h2> <div class="usa-width-one-whole lg-flex items-center"> <p class="mb2 lg-mb0 lg-mr2">Learn about upcoming events and get the latest news from the federal plain language community.</p> <a class="usa-button usa-button-primary m0 nowrap" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230927053731/https://www.digitalgov.gov/communities/plain-language/">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="usa-footer__secondary-section usa-section bg-tan-dark"> <div class="usa-grid"> <div class="usa-width-one-half h4"> <p> The <a href="/web/20230927053731/https://www.plainlanguage.gov/about/">Plain Language Action and Information Network</a> develops and maintains the content of this site with support from the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230927053731/https://www.gsa.gov/node/87579">General Services Administration</a>. </p> <p> You may use any of the content on this site without explicit permission. 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Law and requirements