115th CONGRESS 2d Session |
To improve executive agency digital services, and for other purposes.
June 12, 2018
Mr. Portman introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
To improve executive agency digital services, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
This Act may be cited as the “21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act” or the “21st Century IDEA”.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Restoring the global leadership position of the United States Government in technology and electronic government requires a new approach that narrows the growing gap between the digital demands of the people of the United States and the manner in which the Government provides digital services to the people of the United States.
(2) Legislation is needed to accelerate the transition from an analog and paper-based Government to a 21st century digital Government.
(3) The recent passage of the Modernizing Government Technology Act as subtitle G of title X of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115–91; 131 Stat. 1283) and the Connected Government Act (Public Law 115–114; 131 Stat. 2278) has laid the foundation for the transformation of the Government to modern, digital platforms.
(4) Enhanced citizen-facing and internal digital service delivery will dramatically reduce the cost of Government operations and improve customer experience.
In this Act:
(1) DIGITAL SERVICE.—The term “digital service” means the delivery of electronic information (such as data or content) and transactional services (such as online forms or benefits applications) across a variety of platforms, devices, and delivery mechanisms (such as websites, mobile applications, or social media).
(2) DIRECTOR.—The term “Director” means the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
(3) EXECUTIVE AGENCY.—The term “executive agency” has the meaning given the term “Executive agency” in section 105 of title 5, United States Code.
(4) INTRANET.—The term “Intranet” means a network belonging to an organization or group of organizations and any subdepartment of the organization, accessible only by the authorized members and systems of the organization, employees of the organizations, or others with secure authentication.
SEC. 4. Website modernization.
(a) Requirements for existing executive agency websites and digital services.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of an executive agency that maintains a website or digital service that is made available to the public shall—
(1) eliminate or consolidate websites or web pages that are duplicative or overlapping;
(2) ensure that each public-facing website and digital service has a consistent appearance;
(3) ensure that each website, web-based form, and web-based application of the executive agency are accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d);
(4) ensure that each website or digital service contains a search function that allows users to easily search content intended for public use;
(5) provide the website or digital service through an industry standard secure connection;
(6) ensure that each website or digital service is designed around user needs with data-driven analysis influencing management and development decisions, using qualitative and quantitative data to determine user goals, needs, and behaviors, and continually test the website or digital service to ensure that user needs are addressed; and
(7) ensure that users of the website or digital service have the option for a more customized digital experience that allows users to complete digital transactions in an efficient and accurate manner.
(b) Research on development of websites and digital services.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, quantitative and qualitative research, including user testing, related to the development of websites or other public-facing digital services of an executive agency shall not be considered a collection of information for the purposes of section 3507 of title 44, United States Code.
(c) Requirements for new websites and digital services.—Any website or digital service of an executive agency that is made available to the public after the date of enactment of this Act shall meet the requirements described in subsection (a).
(d) Internal digital services.—The head of each executive agency shall ensure to the greatest extent practicable that any new Intranet conforms to the requirements in subsection (a).
(e) Public reporting.—The head of each executive agency shall submit to the Director an annual report on the progress of the executive agency in implementing the requirements described in this section for the previous year and shall make the report available to the public.
(f) Compliance with United States website standards.—Any website of an executive agency that is made available to the public after the date of enactment of this Act shall be in compliance with the website standards of the Technology Transformation Services of the General Services Administration.
SEC. 5. Digitization of Government services and forms.
(a) Digital service option required.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each executive agency shall make available to the public an online, mobile-friendly, digital service option for any in-person Government transaction or paper-based process in a manner that decreases cost, increases digital conversion rates, and improves customer experience.
(b) Forms and services required To be digital.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each executive agency shall ensure that any paper-based form, application, or service that is related to serving the public is made available to the public in a digital format.
SEC. 6. Electronic signatures.
(a) Plan for use of electronic signatures.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each executive agency shall submit to the Director and the appropriate congressional committees a plan to accelerate the use of electronic signatures standards established in the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.).
(b) Executive agency compliance.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each executive agency shall certify and report full compliance with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.) and Office of Management and Budget Circular A–130, or any successor thereto, to support the use of electronic signatures by the Federal Government.
SEC. 7. Customer experience and digital service delivery.
The Chief Information Officer of each executive agency, or a designee, shall—
(1) coordinate and ensure alignment of the internal and external customer experience programs and strategy of the executive agency;
(2) coordinate with the management leaders of the executive agency, including the head of the executive agency, the Chief Financial Officer, and any program manager, to ensure proper funding to support the implementation of this Act;
(3) continually examine the digital service delivery strategy of the executive agency to the public and submit recommendations to the head of the executive agency providing guidance and best practices suitable to the mission of the executive agency;
(4) using qualitative and quantitative data obtained from across the executive agency relating to the experience and satisfaction of customers, identify areas of concern that need improvement and improve the delivery of customer service; and
(5) coordinate and ensure, with the approval of the head of the executive agency, compliance by the executive agency with section 3559 of title 44, United States Code.