PUBLIC LAW 111–274—OCT. 13, 2010 124 STAT. 2861 

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; 

Designation. 

Deadline. 

5 USC 301 note. 

5 USC 301 note. 

5 USC 301 note. 

Plain Writing Act 

of 2010. 

Oct. 13, 2010 

[H.R. 946] 


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124 STAT. 2862 PUBLIC LAW 111–274—OCT. 13, 2010 

(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. 

5 USC 301 note. 

Publication. 

Web posting. 

5 USC 301 note. 

Deadline. 

Effective date. 

Public comment. 

Designation. 

Web site. 


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PUBLIC LAW 111–274—OCT. 13, 2010 124 STAT. 2863 

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. 

Æ 

(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. 

5 USC 301 note. 


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