,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cfhj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,january #ae1 #bjbf,mr4 ,markey 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,mr4 ,welch1 ,ms4 ,warren1 ,mr4 ,schiff1 ,mr4 ,wyden1 and ,mr4 ,booker7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to require agencies that use1 fund1 or oversee algorithms to have an office of civil rights focused on bias1 discrimination1 and other harms of algorithms1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,eliminating ,bias in ,algorithmic ,systems ,act of #bjbf4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,agency ,the term agency has the meaning given the term in section #cejb of title #dd1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,covered agency ,the term covered agency means an agency that-- 7,a7 uses1 funds1 or procures a covered algorithm1 or funds or otherwise participates in the development of a covered algorithm2 or 7,b7 oversees1 regulates1 or advises on the development or use of a covered algorithm4 7#c7 ,covered algorithm ,the term covered algorithm means a process that-- 7,a7 is-- 7i7 a computational process that uses machine learning1 natural language processing1 artificial intelligence techniques1 or other computational processing techniques of similar or greater complexity2 or 7ii7 a computational process derived from a process described in clause 7i72 and 7,b7 has the potential to have a material effect on the impact of1 access to1 availability of1 eligibility for1 cost of1 terms of1 or conditions of-- 7i7 a program operated or funded by an agency2 7ii7 an economic opportunity regulated by an agency2 or 7iii7 rights protected by an agency4 7#d7 ,protected characteristic ,the term protected characteristic means any of the following actual or perceived traits of an individual or group of individuals3 7,a7 ,race4 7,b7 ,color4 7,c7 ,ethnicity4 7,d7 ,national origin1 nationality1 or immigration status4 7,e7 ,religion4 7,f7 ,sex 7including a sex stereotype1 pregnancy1 childbirth1 or a related medical condition1 sexual orientation or gender identity1 and sex characteristics1 including intersex traits74 7,g7 ,disability4 7,h7 ,limited ,english proficiency4 7,i7 ,biometric information4 7,j7 ,familial or marital status4 7,k7 ,source of income4 7,l7 ,income level 7not including the ability to pay for a specific good or service being offered74 7,m7 ,age4 7,n7 ,veteran status4 7,o7 ,genetic information or medical conditions4 7,p7 ,any other classification protected by ,federal law4 #c4 ,civil rights offices and reporting on ai bias1 discrimination1 and other harms 7a7 ,offices of civil rights ,the head of each covered agency shall ensure that the covered agency has an office of civil rights that employs experts and technologists focused on bias1 discrimination1 and other harms1 including the effect or tendency to subject communities1 groups1 or individuals to bias based on1 discrimination based on1 or other harms attributable to possessing or being perceived as possessing a protected characteristic4 7b7 ,bias1 discrimination1 and other harms reports ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and every #b years thereafter1 each office of civil rights of a covered agency established under subsection 7a7 shall submit to each congressional committee with jurisdiction over the covered agency a report that details-- 7#a7 the state of the field and technology of covered algorithms with respect to jurisdiction of the covered agency1 including risks relating to bias based on1 discrimination based on1 and other harms attributable to possessing or being perceived as possessing a protected characteristic2 7#b7 any relevant steps the covered agency has taken to mitigate harms from covered algorithms relating to bias based on1 discrimination based on1 and other harms attributable to possessing or being perceived as possessing a protected characteristic2 7#c7 actions the covered agency has taken to engage with relevant stakeholders1 including industry representatives1 businesses1 civil rights advocates1 consumer protection organizations1 other relevant civil society organizations1 academic experts1 individuals with technical expertise1 organizations representing workers1 and affected populations1 regarding bias1 discrimination1 and other harms including the effect or tendency to subject communities1 groups1 or individuals to bias based on1 discrimination based on1 and other harms attributable to possessing or being perceived as possessing a protected characteristic2 and 7#d7 any relevant recommendations for legislation or administrative action to mitigate bias based on1 discrimination based on1 and other harms attributable to possessing or being perceived as possessing a protected characteristic from covered algorithms1 as determined appropriate by the head of the office4 7c7 ,interagency working group ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,assistant ,attorney ,general in charge of the ,civil ,rights ,division of the ,department of ,justice shall establish an interagency working group on covered algorithms and civil rights1 of which each office of civil rights of a covered agency established under subsection 7a7 shall be a member4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to each covered agency such sums as may be necessary to carry out this ,act4