H.R. 2255 (Introduced in House) — To make participation in the American Community Survey voluntary, except with respect to certain basic questions, and for other purposes.

1. Participation in American Community Survey

(a)

Optional questions— Section 193 of title 13, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “The Secretary shall include, in the instructions for completing any survey authorized under this section, a statement indicating that answering any question other than questions that solicit the information described in section 221(c)(2)(A) is optional.”.

(b)

Refusal To participate— Section 221 of title 13, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a), by striking “Whoever, being over eighteen years of age,” and inserting “Except as provided in subsection (c), any person older than 18 years of age who”; and

(2)

by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

“(c)

“(1) Notwithstanding any other provision under this title—

“(A) no person may be compelled to disclose information relative to the person's religious beliefs or to membership in a religious body; and

“(B) except as provided in paragraph (2), no person may be fined or otherwise compelled to answer questions in connection with the survey, conducted by the Secretary of Commerce, which is commonly referred to as the American Community Survey.

“(2) Paragraph (1)(B)—

“(A) shall not apply to any question that elicits—

“(i) the name of the respondent;

“(ii) contact information for the respondent;

“(iii) the date of the response; or

“(iv) the number of people living or staying at the same address; and

“(B) does not waive any penalty imposed for conduct described in subsection (b).”

To make participation in the American Community Survey voluntary, except with respect to certain basic questions, and for other purposes.

1. Participation in American Community Survey

Cite this provision

Incoming references