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H.R. 4524: Equity in Government Act

The Equity in Government Act is legislation aimed at improving the fairness and accessibility of government services for underserved communities and individuals. Here are the key points of the bill in layman's terms:

Strategic and Performance Planning

Government agencies will be required to include specific goals in their strategic and performance plans that focus on enhancing the equitable provision of services to underserved communities. Specifically:

Each agency must set at least one goal, or a minimum of 20% of their total goals, to improve service equity for these communities.
Agencies will need to consult with various stakeholders, including academic partners, local governments, and community organizations, to explore how to better serve these communities.

Creation of an Agency Equity Advisory Team

The bill establishes an Agency Equity Advisory Team within each federal agency. Key functions of this team will include:

Providing guidance on implementing equitable service practices and evaluating current methodologies.
Consisting of at least 10 members, including agency heads and other senior officials responsible for different aspects of the agency's operations.
Working with outside organizations to gather input on improving equity in services.

Equity Subcommittee

A new Equity Subcommittee will be formed under the Performance Improvement Council to:

Assist in identifying needed guidance for equitable service delivery.
Share best practices across agencies.
Coordinate with other working groups concerned with equity and data practices.

Chief Data Officers and Equitable Data Practices

The bill enhances the role of Chief Data Officers in agencies, requiring them to implement equitable data collection and use across all operations. They will:

Ensure that agency decisions are informed by equity considerations when using data.
Facilitate collaboration with various sectors to gather data that supports equitable practices.

Governance and Oversight

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will evaluate the impact of these new obligations after four years, determining if they have led to improved equity in service delivery. Additionally, the Council will continue its work until at least two years after this evaluation, ensuring ongoing oversight of equitable practices.

Definition of Underserved Communities

The bill clearly defines "underserved communities" as groups that have been systematically denied full participation in economic, social, and civic life, ensuring that agencies target their efforts appropriately.

Support for Continuous Improvement

By mandating regular reports and meetings by the Equity Advisory Team and the Equity Subcommittee, the bill promotes a culture of continuous feedback and improvement in how federal agencies serve these communities.