To establish the Digital Literacy and Equity Commission, and for other purposes.
Bill: H.R.6373 | Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. (D-MI)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
This bill establishes the Digital Literacy and Equity Commission to conduct a study on digital literacy and equity, including the state of digital literacy and information literacy in the United States.

To establish the Digital Literacy and Equity Commission, 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. 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 literacy and 
equity, including--
            (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 information literacy; 
                and
                    (B) an analysis of digital literacy and information 
                literacy in low-income areas and disadvantaged 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 literacy 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 Communications 
        Commission or the delegate of the Chairperson of the Federal 
        Communications Commission;
            (3) the Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications 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 Services or the 
        delegate of the Secretary;
            (7) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 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, including--
                            (i) Federal, State, or local employees;
                            (ii) former Members of Congress; or
                            (iii) employees of academic institutions 
                        and non-governmental organizations; and
                    (C) who represent diverse economic, professional, 
                and cultural backgrounds; and
            (9) not more than 5 members appointed by the President, 
        from among the heads of Federal agencies, or delegates of the 
        heads of Federal agencies, who the President determines would 
        be beneficial to the Commission.
    (b) Chairperson; Vice Chairperson.--The Secretary of Education or 
the delegate of the Secretary shall serve as the Chairperson of the 
Commission, and the Chairperson of the Federal Communications 
Commission or the delegate of the Chairperson of the Federal 
Communications Commission shall serve as the Vice Chairperson of the 
Commission.
    (c) Meetings.--
            (1) First meeting.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Chairperson of the Commission 
        shall hold a meeting of the Commission.
            (2) Subsequent meetings.--The Commission shall meet not 
        less than once every 4 months at a time and place determined by 
        the Chairperson of the Commission, and may hold such other 
        meetings as the Chairperson of the Commission determines are 
        necessary to carry out this Act.
            (3) Public access.--All meetings of the Commission shall be 
        open to the public.
    (d) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall 
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number 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 member or agent of the 
Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action that 
the Commission is authorized 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 information literacy through early 
        education and community outreach, with a particular focus on 
        increasing equity in the availability of digital literacy and 
        information literacy resources;
            (3) recommendations for the Federal Government 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 literacy'' means 
        the ability to use information and communication technologies 
        to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, 
        requiring both cognitive and technical skills.
            (2) Information literacy.--The term ``information 
        literacy'' means--
                    (A) the ability to recognize when information 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 Housing and Community 
        Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4502).
            (4) Disadvantaged area.--The term ``disadvantaged area'' 
        means a community with an annual median household income that 
        is less than 80 percent of the statewide annual median 
        household income, determined on the basis of the latest 
        available decennial census of the United States.
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