House Passes IDEA Act, a Bill to Improve Government’s Digital Services

The House passed by bipartisan voice vote the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act, or 21st Century IDEA, which would require agencies to improve online customer experience by making new websites more user-friendly. The bill ultimately aims to make citizens less reliant on paper processes when interacting with federal agencies. The bill would set minimum accessibility, searchability and security standards for all new government websites, and require agencies to adopt web analytics tools to constantly improve sites’ functionality. Organizations would also need to make all sites mobile-friendly and comply with website standards set by the General Service Administration. If signed into law, agencies would have 180 days to meet the new benchmark. Any sites that launch after the bill is passed would need to comply with the standards from day one. Agencies would also have to roll out online versions of every paper-based form within two years. “It’s time our government agencies adopt the innovative technologies of the 21st century,” said Rep Ro Khanna (D-CA) who introduced the bill in May. “Government exists to serve citizens, and this bill ensures government leverages available technology to provide the cohesive, user-friendly online service that people around this country expect and deserve.”