,i #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #figa ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,march #h1 #bjbb,mr4 ,beyer introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to establish a commission to promote information and media literacy1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,educating ,against ,misinformation and ,disinformation ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4,title ,i--,commission to ,support ,information and ,media ,literacy and ,address ,misinformation and ,disinformation,sec4 #aja4 ,establishment and duties4,sec4 #ajb4 ,membership4,sec4 #ajc4 ,hearings4,sec4 #ajd4 ,commission personnel matters4,sec4 #aje4 ,national strategy for information and media literacy and preventing misinformation and disinformation4,sec4 #ajf4 ,report to ,congress4,sec4 #ajg4 ,authorization of appropriations4,title ,,ii--,department of ,education activities,sec4 #bja4 ,grants to improve the ,american public's information and media literacy and resilience to misinformation and disinformation4,sec4 #bjb4 ,study and report on information and media literacy among the ,american public4,sec4 #bjc4 ,department of ,education assessment4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,education and ,labor and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,,esea ,terms ,the terms elementary school1 local educational agency1 secondary school1 and ,state educational agency have the meanings given those terms in the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja et seq474 7#c7 ,information literacy ,the term information literacy means the integrated set of skills1 knowledge1 practices1 and dispositions that prepares individuals to discover1 interpret1 and create information ethically while gaining a critical understanding of how information systems interact to produce and circulate news1 information and knowledge 7including digital information such as website and social media content74 7#d7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#e7 ,media literacy ,the term media literacy means the ability to access1 analyze1 evaluate1 and participate in the creation and circulation of media messages regardless of format1 including learning the skills and dispositions to seek out1 critically evaluate1 and create media messages and understand the role of media and algorithmic information systems in society4 7#f7 ,social media ,the term social media means forms of interactive1 internet-based applications 7such as websites for social networking and microblogging7 through which users create online communities to share information1 ideas1 personal messages1 and other content 7such as videos74 7#g7 ,state higher education agency ,the term ,state higher education agency has the meaning given that term in section #ajc of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjc74 ,i ,commission to ,support ,information and ,media ,literacy and ,address ,misinformation and ,disinformation #aja4 ,establishment and duties 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established a commission to be known as the ,commission to ,support ,information and ,media ,literacy and ,prevent ,misinformation and ,disinformation 7referred to in this ,act as the ,commission74 7b7 ,duties of the commission ,the duties of the ,commission are as follows3 7#a7 ,identify and assess programs and interdisciplinary resources relating to information and media literacy in elementary1 secondary1 higher education1 and adult education programs1 including by-- 7,a7 identifying and assessing programs and other educational materials made available by the ,federal ,government2 7,b7 developing metrics to report on the status of information and media literacy education in elementary1 secondary1 higher1 and public informal education2 7,c7 requesting that the ,public ,library ,survey of the ,institute of ,museum and ,library ,services continue to collect such data on an ongoing basis2 and 7,d7 annually reporting on the status of such efforts4 7#b7 ,develop and regularly update1 not less frequently than annually1 a national strategy to promote information and media literacy in accordance with section #aje and coordinate the implementation of such strategy4 7#c7 ,report on how information on the internet and social media is created and consumed1 with a particular focus on how disinformation and misinformation are spread4 7#d7 ,develop age-appropriate materials to promote information and media literacy and education with a particular focus on misinformation and disinformation and disseminate such materials to the public4 7#e7 ,assess and report on strategies and techniques to help students and the public at large judge the trustworthiness and reliability of information and images4 7#f7 ,promote information and media literacy and related educational efforts and materials at the ,state and local levels1 including by promoting partnerships among ,federal1 ,state1 and local governments and nonprofit organizations with recognized expertise in media literacy4 ,these efforts include misinformation and disinformation educational and media literacy campaigns for the public4 7#g7 ,make recommendations to the appropriate congressional committees and the ,secretary of ,education4 7c7 ,areas of emphasis ,in carrying out the duties specified in subsection 7b71 the ,commission shall seek to-- 7#a7 increase public awareness of and education on-- 7,a7 how to find and identify if information is from a trustworthy source2 7,b7 how to craft arguments1 when claims are supported by evidence1 and how to analyze the validity of claims and strength of arguments being made2 7,c7 methods to understand the difference between fact or opinion or a mixture thereof2 7,d7 methods to identify misinformation and disinformation2 7,e7 how to find and evaluate context for information from different sources2 7,f7 how to detect manipulation of images or information on digital platforms2 and 7,g7 how influencers and various organizations target and manipulate audiences through digital platforms2 7#b7 improve information and media literacy and education by encouraging individuals to develop related skills1 including-- 7,a7 critical thinking skills1 including how to identify the difference between credible and noncredible claims and information2 7,b7 awareness of the impact of disinformation and misinformation on individuals and society2 7,c7 increased familiarity and facility with new and digital media with a particular emphasis on techniques individuals may use to-- 7i7 find reliable and trustworthy information sources2 and 7ii7 identify how information can be manipulated for the consumer2 and 7,d7 encourage habits that support the motivation to learn based on verifiably true facts when engaging with information sources2 and 7#c7 improve information and media literacy and resilience to misinformation and disinformation among students attending elementary schools1 secondary schools1 institutions of higher education1 and adult education institutions4 7d7 ,consultation ,in carrying out the duties under subsection 7b71 the ,commission shall actively consult with experts in media and information literacy and experts in misinformation and disinformation1 ,state and local educational agencies1 and ,state higher education agencies as determined appropriate by the ,commission4 7e7 ,periodic studies ,the ,commission may conduct periodic studies regarding the status of information and media literacy and educational resources in the ,united ,states1 as the ,commission determines appropriate4 7f7 ,materials in other languages ,the ,commission may take such steps as are appropriate to support the development of information and media literacy and education materials in languages other than ,english4 #ajb4 ,membership 7a7 ,membership ,the ,commission shall be composed of the following members3 7#a7 ,the ,secretary of ,education1 or the ,secretary's designee4 7#b7 ,the ,director of the ,institute of ,museum and ,library ,sciences1 or the ,director's designee4 7#c7 ,the ,chairman of the ,federal ,communications ,commission1 or the ,chair's designee4 7#d7 ,the ,chair of the ,federal ,trade ,commission1 or the ,chair's designee4 7#e7 ,the ,secretary of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 or the ,secretary's designee4 7#f7 ,not fewer than seven experts1 selected by the ,secretary of ,education1 who represent diverse populations in the field of information and media literacy1 including experts such as-- 7,a7 members of the ,international ,communication ,association and ,association for ,education in ,journalism and ,mass ,communication2 and 7,b7 experts cited in relevant professional journals such as ,first ,monday1 ,journal of ,information ,literacy1 and ,communications in ,information ,literacy4 7b7 ,alternates ,each member of the ,commission may designate an alternate if the member is unable to attend a meeting of the ,commission4 ,such alternate shall be an individual who exercises significant decision-making authority in the organization of the member1 as determined by the member concerned4 7c7 ,chairperson ,the ,secretary of ,education or the ,secretary's designee shall serve as the ,chairperson of the ,commission4 7d7 ,meetings 7#a7 ,frequency ,the ,commission shall meet at the call of the ,chairperson-- 7,a7 not less frequently than once every #d months during the period of one year following the date of the initial meeting of the ,commission under subsection 7f72 7,b7 not less frequently than biannually after the expiration of such period2 and 7,c7 at such other times as the ,chairperson determines appropriate to carry out this title4 7#b7 ,open to public ,all meetings of the ,commission shall be open to the public4 7e7 ,quorum ,a majority of the members of the ,commission shall constitute a quorum1 but a lesser number of members may hold hearings4 7f7 ,initial meeting ,the ,commission shall hold its first meeting not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #ajc4 ,hearings 7a7 ,in general ,the ,commission may hold such hearings1 sit and act at such times and places1 take such testimony1 and receive such evidence as the ,commission considers appropriate to carry out this title4 7b7 ,participation ,in hearings held under this subsection1 the ,commission shall consider inviting witnesses from-- 7#a7 ,state and local educational agencies and ,state higher education agencies with expertise in information or media literacy2 7#b7 recognized information or media literacy experts2 and 7#c7 recognized experts in online hate1 disinformation1 and misinformation4 #ajd4 ,commission personnel matters 7a7 ,compensation of members ,each member of the ,commission shall serve without compensation4 ,members of the ,commission who are full-time officers or employees of the ,united ,states may not receive additional pay1 allowances1 or benefits by reason of their service on the ,commission4 7b7 ,travel expenses ,the members of the ,commission shall be allowed travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 in accordance with applicable provisions subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7c7 ,detail of ,federal ,government employees ,any employee of the ,federal ,government may be detailed to the ,commission without reimbursement1 and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege4 #aje4 ,national strategy for information and media literacy and preventing misinformation and disinformation 7a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 develop a national strategy to promote information and media literacy and resilience to misinformation and disinformation among the ,american public2 and 7#b7 coordinate the efforts of the ,federal ,government to implement the strategy developed under paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,elements ,the strategy under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7#a7 be developed with the participation of ,state and local governments 7including ,state higher education agencies71 nonprofit organizations1 and institutions of higher education2 7#b7 include strategies for-- 7,a7 increasing the general information and media literacy education level of the ,american public2 7,b7 enhancing the public's general understanding of how information platforms operate2 and 7,c7 encouraging members of the public to critically analyze information sources and recognize manipulation1 misinformation1 and disinformation2 and 7#c7 include an assessment of existing efforts to promote information and media literacy and education with a particular focus on misinformation and disinformation4 7c7 ,national strategy review ,on a periodic basis at times determined appropriate by the ,commission1 the ,commission shall review the national strategy developed under subsection 7b7 and make such changes and recommendations as it determines necessary4 #ajf4 ,report to ,congress 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ah months after the date of the first meeting of the ,commission1 and annually thereafter1 the ,commission shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the progress of the ,commission in carrying out this title4 7b7 ,contents ,each report required under subsection 7a7 shall include-- 7#a7 a copy of the national strategy developed under section #aje2 7#b7 information concerning the implementation of the duties of the ,commission2 7#c7 an assessment of the availability1 utilization1 and effectiveness of existing information and media literacy and educational materials2 7#d7 a brief summary of the information and media literacy and education materials and data regarding the dissemination and impact of such materials2 7#e7 a brief summary of any hearings conducted by the ,commission1 including a list of witnesses who testified at such hearings2 7#f7 information about any activities of the ,commission planned for the year following the date of the report2 and 7#g7 such other information as the ,commission determines appropriate4 #ajg4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title4 ,,ii ,department of ,education activities #bja4 ,grants to improve the ,american public's information and media literacy and resilience to misinformation and disinformation 7a7 ,in general ,beginning after the ,commission completes the development of the national strategy under section #aje1 the ,secretary of ,education shall carry out a program under which the ,secretary awards grants1 on a competitive basis1 to one or more qualified nonprofit organizations1 including institutions of higher education1 to develop educational materials1 multimedia awareness campaigns1 and programming to support information and media literacy and to combat misinformation and disinformation for the greater ,american public4 7b7 ,relationship to ,commission activities ,the ,secretary of ,education shall carry out the grant program under this section in a manner that reflects the findings of the ,commission with respect to-- 7#a7 supporting public awareness of information and media literacy2 7#b7 improving individual information and media literacy skills2 7#c7 improving how information and media literacy is addressed in educational settings2 and 7#d7 improving the public's resilience to misinformation and disinformation4 7c7 ,multilingual materials ,in carrying out the program under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary may award grants for the development of educational materials1 multimedia awareness campaigns1 and programming in languages other than ,english as the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7d7 ,performance measures ,the ,secretary shall develop and implement a process to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities carried out with grants under this section4 7e7 ,report ,on an annual basis during each year of the grant program under this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the status of the program4 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #c1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb1 #bjbc1 and #bjbd4 #bjb4 ,study and report on information and media literacy among the ,american public 7a7 ,study required ,the ,secretary of ,education shall conduct a study to evaluate the extent of information and media literacy among the ,american public4 7b7 ,elements ,the study under subsection 7a7 shall examine the extent of the ,american public's knowledge and awareness of-- 7#a7 how social media content is created2 7#b7 how members of the public make choices about information as they consume1 create1 and share it2 7#c7 how intermediary technologies for search and social sharing use algorithms and personal information to influence the circulation and amplification or suppression of news1 information1 opinion1 and disinformation2 7#d7 methods to search and evaluate the reliability of information2 7#e7 how news is gathered and reported and how that process differs from opinion writing and information presented in talk-show formats2 and 7#f7 how disinformation and misinformation are shared and circulated4 7c7 ,report required ,not later than one year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,education shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the findings and conclusions the study conducted under subsection 7a71 together with-- 7#a7 recommendations for legislative or administrative action based on such study2 and 7#b7 recommendations for improving information and media literacy and resilience to misinformation and disinformation among the ,american public4 #bjc4 ,department of ,education assessment 7a7 ,effectiveness study ,the ,secretary of ,education shall conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of the ,commission in promoting information and media literacy and education in accordance with title ,i4 7b7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,department of ,education shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection 7a74