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'Plain Writing Act of 2010' Seeks Clearer Government Communications

By Bruce Carton

The Legal Writing Prof Blog notes that last month, President Obama signed into law the Plain Writing Act of 2010. The Act's stated purpose 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." Hallelujah! The Act was introduced by Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, who stated in a press release that it will result in "tax returns, federal college aid applications, and Veterans Administration forms in simple easy-to-understand language, making government more transparent and saving the government millions of dollars." Braley says that a re-write of one letter from the Veterans Benefits Administration asking beneficiaries to update their contact information increased responses by 75 percent, saving the VA approximately $8 million in follow-up costs. The Act states that within nine months of its enactment, each federal agency will train its employees in plain writing and establish a process to ensure compliance with the new plain writing rules. The Act also requires that within one year of the date of enactment, "each agency shall use plain writing in every covered document of the agency that the agency issues or substantially revises." It is unclear how "enforcement"...

Full post as published by Legal Blog Watch on November 15, 2010 (boomark / email).