Bill > HR4820

This bill aims to make participation in the American Community Survey (ACS), a detailed census survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, entirely voluntary by removing potential penalties for not responding and explicitly stating the voluntary nature of the survey. Specifically, the bill modifies two sections of Title 13 of the United States Code: first, it amends Section 221 to eliminate any legal consequences for individuals who refuse to answer questions on the ACS, and second, it modifies Section 193 to require that the survey itself include a clear statement informing respondents that participation is voluntary. The ACS is a comprehensive annual survey that collects detailed information about American households, including demographics, housing, income, and other socioeconomic characteristics. By making the survey explicitly voluntary, the bill seeks to protect individuals' privacy and reduce what some view as government overreach in collecting personal information, while potentially reducing the survey's response rate and comprehensiveness.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4820/all-info