Plain Language: It's the law

President Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 on October 13, 2010. The law requires that federal agencies use "clear Government communication that the public can understand and use." On January 18, 2011, he issued a new Executive Order, "E.O. 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review." It states that "[our regulatory system] must ensure that regulations are accessible, consistent, written in plain language, and easy to understand."

Two other executive orders (E.O. 12866 and E.O. 12988) cover the use of plain language in regulations.

We've written a model plain language webpage for you to use.

Federal Agency Requirements
Learn what agencies have to do under the Act and what documents are covered by it.

Plain Language in Federal Agencies
See how federal agencies are using and promoting plain language on a day-to-day basis.

Yes, Virginia, plain language regulations do exist.
Regulations that are unclear or unreadable make work for the reader and for the agency that issues them. Writing all our regulations in a clear and easily readable style would result in a tremendous savings of time and effort for the federal government and for citizens affected by them.