Plain Writing Act
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 promotes “clear Government communication that the public can understand and use.”
On October 13, 2010, President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act into law. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued final guidance to implement the law on April 13, 2011.
Under the Act, the Bureau must make best efforts to use plain language in any document that:
- Is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes;
- Provides information about any federal government benefit or service; or
- Explains to the public how to comply with a requirement that the federal government administers or enforces.
The Act does not apply to formal regulations published in the Federal Register. You can find more information on the Plain Writing Act and plain language in the federal government from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN).