Policies and Regulations

The relevant laws, policies, and regulations for federal agencies.

Requirements for strengthening the federal government’s commitment to digital accessibility

Learn how to implement Section 508, and strengthen and maintain your agency’s commitment to digital accessibility.
Requirements for the registration and use of .gov domains in the federal government

Learn how to implement the DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act and understand how to register federal internet domain names.
Requirements for improving access to services for people with limited English proficiency (LEP)

Learn how to strengthen and improve meaningful language access for all people in the U.S., regardless of the language they speak.
An introduction to the Digital Experience Council

The Digital Experience (DX) Council plays a critical role in coordinating governmentwide efforts and assisting agencies in delivering digital experiences that meet the public’s needs and expectations.
M-24-08 Strengthening Digital Accessibility and the Management of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Provides requirements and recommendations to support agency integration of digital accessibility into their missions and operations, helping government technology and information resources better serve a diverse public and federal workforce.
An introduction to web security

Guidance on meeting security requirements for federal websites.
An introduction to ATOs

What is an Authorization to Operate? Before you use software in government, you need to make sure it is allowed. You should know what an ATO is, and when you need one.
An introduction to security and privacy controls

What do the control families of NIST 800-53 mean? Here’s an overview of the control families that create the foundation of federal security compliance.
M-23-10: The Registration and Use of .gov Domains in the Federal Government

Provides guidance to all federal agencies on the acceptable use and registration of Internet domain names as required by the DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act of 2020.
DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act of 2020

Title IX of Public Law No. 116-260, §§ 901-907 (DOTGOV Act of 2020), which outlines responsibilities, authorities, duties, strategies, and requirements related to the process of creating top-level .gov domains, authorizes the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to manage the domain registration process for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.

Resources.Data.gov

An online repository of policies, schema standards, tools, best practices, and case studies to provide agencies with resources for federal data management.
Section508.gov

Guidance for federal agencies on IT accessibility compliance.
The Guide to the Paperwork Reduction Act

Get help with the PRA, planning and submitting an information request, and finding your agency’s PRA contact.
Challenge.gov

Provides resources and collaborative opportunities to facilitate the use of prize competitions in government.
FedRAMP

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management (FedRAMP) is a process that authorizes cloud products and services.

Join the Web Managers

Create a better online experience for the public alongside government web content managers.

News and Events on Policies and Regulations

39 posts

User research and the Paperwork Reduction Act

User research is an important part of customer experience transformation. Different types of research require different approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). Through seven case studies, the U.S. Digital Service shows how agencies conducted valuable user research that did not require PRA approval and successfully integrated findings into their projects. Their work illustrates how thoughtful user research transforms delivery of services and helps agencies build trust in government.— via U.S. Digital Service

Aug 20, 2024

Department of Justice recognizes anniversary of executive order to improve access for people with limited English profiency

The Department of Justice recently marked the 24th anniversary of Executive Order 13166, which aims to improve access to federal services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). Its Civil Rights Division reviewed language access plans across federal agencies, emphasizing progress in hiring and staff training, improving language assistance services, and expanding multilingual content. The department is committed to eliminating language barriers in federal programs, improving communication and access for all communities.— via Department of Justice

Aug 12, 2024

IT warning banners: How GSA is working to stop unnecessarily frightening users

OMB Memo M-23-22 discourages the use of pop-ups and modals. GSA IT updated security policies so that IT warning banners are presented less intrusively to users.

Jessica Marine

Aug 07, 2024

Bridge the gap between policy and implementation: Impactful solutions and strategies for success from Digital.gov’s spring 2024 summit

The summit highlighted digital transformation, emphasizing the significance of recent OMB memos for improving accessibility and customer experience.

Frances Carden

Jul 08, 2024

FedRAMP governance

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) has recently updated its governance structure to better serve its customers. Learn about their recently-formed FedRAMP Board, composed of federal executives; the FedRAMP Technical Advisory Group (TAG), composed of technology experts; and updates made to the Federal Security Cloud Advisory Committee (FSCAC). These groups collectively aim to strengthen and expand FedRAMP’s cloud service capabilities.— via FedRAMP

Jun 04, 2024

Progress towards delivering a digital-first public experience

Each year, more than 400 million individuals, families, businesses, organizations, and local governments get information and services from about 430 federal agencies and sub-agencies. The Biden-Harris administration is driving a bold vision for how government agencies serve their customers digitally with OMB’s ten-year roadmap for a modern digital experience. Agencies have already made significant strides. Learn about recent successes by the IRS, CDC, NASA, and FEMA, and how OMB will continue to collaborate with agencies to ensure ongoing improvement in digital government services.— via The White House

Apr 17, 2024

Justice department to publish final rule to strengthen web and mobile app access for people with disabilities

On April 8, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland signed a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure the accessibility of web content and mobile applications for people with disabilities. This final rule clarifies the obligations of state and local governments to make their websites and mobile applications accessible. Learn more about this rule and why the Attorney General believes it will “break down barriers that have kept people with disabilities from fully participating in American Life.”— via Department of Justice

Apr 08, 2024

Equity in action: GSA’s study on remote identity-proofing technologies

The Biden-Harris President’s Management Agenda (PMA) emphasizes an effective, equitable and accountable government. As part of this effort, the General Services Administration (GSA) is conducting a study on the equity of remote identity proofing. The study aims to assess and improve the accessibility and equity of remote identity verification technologies such as facial matching systems. Learn more about the context, purpose, and progress of the study, and how it supports GSA’s goal of enhancing digital government services and prioritizing equitable design practices.— via Performance.gov

Mar 13, 2024

Who is controlling your control system?

Best practices for security administration of control systems and their components. Specific guidance and lessons learned from a federal information system manager.

Michael Marin

Oct 31, 2023

Navigating the NIST industrial control systems overlay

A quick-start user guide for information technology professionals to begin using overlays as a part of their regular security assessments.

Michael Marin

Oct 25, 2023

Why the American People Deserve a Digital Government

OMB released new policy guidance for government that includes a variety of actions and standards to help federal agencies design, develop, and deliver modern websites and digital services. Memo M-23-22, Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience, will make it seamless for the public to obtain government information and services online, and help agencies fully implement the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (21st Century IDEA).— via The White House

Sep 22, 2023

Tune in to learn what the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is doing to ensure financial products and services are accessible to all consumers, including those with limited English proficiency.

A digital accessibility catalyst for your next policy refresh

Use GSA’s IT Accessibility Policy Framework to update digital accessibility language in your agency’s policies.

Andrew Nielson

May 15, 2023

Join us to discuss the plain language and cultural components of effectively translating digital content into multiple languages.

Watch Video

Join the best and brightest plain language practitioners from across the federal government.

Amanda Damewood

Donna Ledbetter

Dr. Rachael Bradley Montgomery

Heather Holland

Katherine Spivey

Katina Stapleton

Katy Karnell

Laura Rabuck

Sheila Walsh

Shuly Babitz

Stanley Dambroski

Stephanie M. Morrison, MPH

Measuring and Justifying the Government Experience

Measuring and Justifying the Government Experience—Private sector organizations use revenue as the primary measurement to justify improving experiences. Many government services don’t have revenue as a lever, so how can we justify work to improve experience? The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) leveraged a few metrics on their team that fall into three categories: laws and regulations, improving the experience for users, and saving time for employees.— via Office of Natural Resources Revenue

Aug 19, 2022

The DOD released a policy that for the first time spells out, from the highest levels of the defense community, how DOD military and civilian personnel should use official social media accounts to best advance the mission of the U.S. military and further instill trust in the credibility of the DOD.

Aug 15, 2022

Get tips and lessons learned from the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division on using plain language to increase their impact and influence.

Daniel Yi

Katherine Spivey

Katina Stapleton

Five Procurement Strategies for Diverse Digital Services

Modern digital services require a close connection between federal agencies and contractors, as well as customers and other stakeholders. Use these five practical tips to attract and empower contractors who value diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Stephen Carroll

Jun 30, 2022

A discussion with members of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and U.S. Access Board (USAB) on best practices for buying information and communications technology and services that can be used by anyone.

Andrew Nielson

Bruce Bailey

Megan Reed

Michael Horton

Robert Jolly

Hurricane guidance for U.S. government websites and social media

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News and Events on Policies and Regulations