ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore this week signed an executive order (PDF) creating the Maryland Plain Language Initiative. The initiative aims to ensure that all Maryland residents have equal access to government-based communications, services, and supports.

The Maryland Department of Information Technology, the Maryland Department of Disabilities, and the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives will work together to assess the state’s capacity, needs, and resources in order to develop and implement best practices for plain language standards. The initiative will also provide ongoing community-based content reviews to ensure that the standards are effective.

“This Executive Order is based on a simple idea: It shouldn’t have to be so difficult for Marylanders to access the programs and services they need,” said Gov. Moore. “Our administration’s Plain Language Initiative will help ensure that every piece of writing that comes out of our administration — in print and online — is simple, accessible, and easy to read. This is what it looks like to leave no one behind.”

Plain language is intended to be accessible to all Marylanders, including those with disabilities. It is hoped that this initiative will make it easier for residents to access government services and information.

The progress of the initiative will be assessed and reported to the governor annually. The Maryland Plain Language Initiative is considered a significant step towards eliminating unnecessary jargon and making government communication more accessible and inclusive.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo via the Maryland Governor’s Office