Plain Writing Act of 2010
PL 111-274 (H.R.946), enacted 10/13/2010

124 STAT. 2861 
PUBLIC LAW 111–274—OCT. 13, 2010 
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 Govern-
ment 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 DOCU-
MENTS.—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 Manage-
ment and Budget shall develop and issue guidance on imple-
menting 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 Lan-
guage Action and Information Network; or 
(B) guidance provided by the head of the agency that 
is consistent with the guidelines referred to in subpara-
graph (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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124 STAT. 2863 
PUBLIC LAW 111–274—OCT. 13, 2010 
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. 
(b) ENFORCEABILITY.—No provision of this Act shall be con-
strued 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 Com-
mittee, 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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