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<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-19</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Arambula</ns0:AuthorText>
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<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Arambula</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Title> An act to amend Section 6219 of the Government Code, relating to state agencies. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>state agencies</ns0:RelatingClause>
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<ns0:Subject>State agencies: governmental linguistics.</ns0:Subject>
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<html:p>Existing law requires each department, commission, office, or other administrative agency of state government to write each document, as defined, that it produces in plain, straightforward language, avoiding technical terms as much as possible, and using a coherent and easily readable style.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would specify that the plain, straightforward language requirement applies to both digital and printed documents, and would define “plain language” for purposes of that provision. The bill would require each state agency, as described above, to create, adopt, and post on its internet website a plain language policy that identifies how the state agency will incorporate or strengthen plain language writing and design principles and practices. The bill would require the head of each state agency to, among other things, designate one or more senior
officials within the state agency to oversee state agency implementation of these provisions.</html:p>
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<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
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<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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Section 6219 of the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Num>6219.</ns0:Num>
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(a)
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Each state agency shall write each document that it produces, either digitally or in print, in plain, straightforward language, avoiding technical terms as much as possible, and using a coherent and easily readable style.
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(b)
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Each state agency shall create, adopt, and post on its internet website a plain language policy that identifies how the state agency will incorporate or strengthen plain language writing and design principles and practices.
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(c)
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Within existing personnel and resources, the head of each state agency shall do all of the following:
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(1)
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Designate one or more senior officials within the state agency to oversee state agency implementation of this section.
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(2)
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Communicate the requirements of this section to the employees of the state agency.
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(3)
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Establish a process for overseeing the ongoing
compliance of the state agency with the requirements of this section.
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(4)
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Within existing personnel resources, designate one or more state agency points of contact to receive and respond to public input, questions, comments, or suggestions on state agency implementation of this section, or on any state agency document that is not easily readable or in plain language.
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(d)
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As used in this section, the following definitions apply:
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(1)
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“Plain language” means language that is clear and easily understood by the intended audience, avoids unnecessary legal or technical jargon, and uses words, sentences, and structures that facilitate comprehension and accessibility for common literacy levels, including individuals with disabilities or limited English proficiency.
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(2)
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“State agency” means each department, commission, office, or other administrative agency of state government.
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(3)
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“State agency document” means any contract, form, license, announcement, regulation, manual, memorandum, or any other written communication that is necessary to carry out the state agency’s responsibilities
under the law.
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