Sec. 515. (a) In General. – The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall, by not later than September 30, 2001, and with public and Federal agency involvement, issue guidelines under sections 3504(d)(1) and 3516 of title 44, United States Code, that provide policy and procedural guidance to Federal agencies for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information (including statistical information) disseminated by Federal agencies in fulfillment of the purposes and provisions of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, commonly referred to as the Paperwork Reduction Act.

(b) Content of Guidelines. – The guidelines under subsection (a) shall –

(1) apply to the sharing by Federal agencies of, and access to, information disseminated by Federal agencies; and

(2) require that each Federal agency to which the guidelines apply –

(A) issue guidelines ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information (including statistical information) disseminated by the agency, by not later than 1 year after the date of issuance of the guidelines under subsection (a);

(B) establish administrative mechanisms allowing affected persons to seek and obtain correction of information maintained and disseminated by the agency that does not comply with the guidelines issued under subsection (a); and

(C) report periodically to the Director –

(i) the number and nature of complaints received by the agency regarding the accuracy of information disseminated by the agency; and

(ii) how such complaints were handled by the agency.

Paperwork Reduction Act References in the Data Quality Law

As quoted above, section 515 of the new Data Quality law notes that its provisions are in furtherance of certain key provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). The following are the PRA referenced in the Data Quality law.

§ 3501. Purposes

"The purposes of this chapter are to –. . .

(2) ensure the greatest possible public benefit from and maximize the utility of information ... disseminated by or for the Federal Government;. . .

(4) improve the quality and use of Federal information to strengthen decision making, accountability, and openness in Government and society;. . .

(7) provide for the dissemination of public information on a timely basis, on equitable terms, and in a manner that promotes the utility of the information to the public and makes effective use of information technology;. . .

(9) ensure the integrity, quality, and utility of the Federal statistical system;. . .

(11) improve the responsibility and accountability of the Office of Management and Budget and all other Federal agencies to Congress and to the public for implementing the ... policies and guidelines established under this chapter."

§ 3504. Authority and functions of the Director . . .

"(d) With respect to information dissemination, the Director shall develop and oversee the implementation of policies, principles, standards, and guidelines to –

(1) apply to Federal agency dissemination of public information, regardless of the form or format in which such information is disseminated; ...."

§ 3516. Rules and regulations

"The Director shall promulgate rules, regulations, or procedures necessary to exercise the authority provided by this chapter."