I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6373 
To establish the Digital Literacy and Equity Commission, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 12, 2022 
Mrs. LAWRENCE (for herself, Ms. NORTON, Ms. TLAIB, Ms. SCANLON, Mr. 
BOWMAN, Ms. SEWELL, Mr. COSTA, and Ms. TITUS) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce 
A BILL 
To establish the Digital Literacy and Equity Commission, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established a commission to be known as the 
‘‘Digital Literacy and Equity Commission’’ (in this Act 
referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
SEC. 2. DUTIES. 
The Commission shall conduct a study on digital lit-
eracy and equity, including— 
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(1) the state of digital literacy and information 
literacy in the United States, including— 
(A) Federal, State, and local programs 
aimed at increasing digital literacy and infor-
mation literacy; and 
(B) an analysis of digital literacy and in-
formation literacy in low-income areas and dis-
advantaged areas; 
(2) programs in other countries with the goal of 
increasing digital literacy and information literacy; 
and 
(3) the identification of strategies and best 
practices to maintain increased levels of digital lit-
eracy and information literacy in the United States. 
SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission 
shall be composed of— 
(1) the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Communications and Information or the delegate of 
the Assistant Secretary; 
(2) the Chairperson of the Federal Communica-
tions Commission or the delegate of the Chairperson 
of the Federal Communications Commission; 
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(3) the Chief of the Wireless Telecommuni-
cations Bureau of the Federal Communications 
Commission or the delegate of the Chief; 
(4) the Director of the Institute of Museum and 
Library Services or the delegate of the Director; 
(5) the Secretary of Education or the delegate 
of the Secretary; 
(6) the Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices or the delegate of the Secretary; 
(7) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Devel-
opment or the delegate of the Secretary; 
(8) 3 members appointed by the Chairperson of 
the Commission— 
(A) with knowledge or expertise in digital 
literacy and equity; 
(B) from the public or private sector, in-
cluding— 
(i) Federal, State, or local employees; 
(ii) former Members of Congress; or 
(iii) employees of academic institu-
tions and non-governmental organizations; 
and 
(C) who represent diverse economic, pro-
fessional, and cultural backgrounds; and 
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(d) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the 
Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser num-
ber may hold hearings. 
SEC. 4. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission 
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold such 
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such 
testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission 
considers appropriate. 
(b) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any mem-
ber or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the 
Commission, take any action that the Commission is au-
thorized to take by this section. 
SEC. 5. REPORT. 
Within 2 years after the appointment of the members 
of the Commission, the Chairperson of the Commission 
shall submit to the Congress a report that contains— 
(1) the results of the study required by section 
2; 
(2) recommendations on how to improve and 
maintain the digital literacy and information literacy 
of individuals in the United States and education in 
the United States relating to digital literacy and in-
formation literacy through early education and com-
munity outreach, with a particular focus on increas-
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ing equity in the availability of digital literacy and 
information literacy resources; 
(3) recommendations for the Federal Govern-
ment to create and implement a method to measure 
digital literacy in the United States, in order to aid 
future efforts to address digital literacy; and 
(4) a plan to increase inter-agency coordination 
to improve digital literacy services provided by the 
Federal Government. 
SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) DIGITAL LITERACY.—The term ‘‘digital lit-
eracy’’ means the ability to use information and 
communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, 
and communicate information, requiring both cog-
nitive and technical skills. 
(2) INFORMATION LITERACY.—The term ‘‘infor-
mation literacy’’ means— 
(A) the ability to recognize when informa-
tion is needed; and 
(B) the ability to locate, evaluate, and use 
needed information effectively. 
(3) LOW-INCOME.—The term ‘‘low-income’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 1303 of the 
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Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 
(12 U.S.C. 4502). 
(4) DISADVANTAGED
AREA.—The term ‘‘dis-
advantaged area’’ means a community with an an-
nual median household income that is less than 80 
percent of the statewide annual median household 
income, determined on the basis of the latest avail-
able decennial census of the United States. 
Æ 
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