Title 20, EducationRelease 119-110

§9706 Studies by the Comptroller General

Title 20 › CHAPTER 77 — FINANCIAL LITERACY AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT › § 9706

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Comptroller General must study and report to Congress on how well the Commission helps people learn about money and credit. One report on the Commission’s effectiveness is due no later than 3 years after December 4, 2003 (by December 4, 2006). The Comptroller General must also study how much consumers know about credit reports, credit scores, and the dispute process, and look at ways to improve financial literacy. That study must cover five things: how many people look at their credit reports; why people get their reports and what share get them for each reason; how much people know about how data is collected; whether people know how to get a report; and whether people understand what changes credit scores. A report with findings and any recommendations for laws or agency actions must be sent to Congress by December 4, 2004.

Full Legal Text

Title 20, §9706

Education, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Effectiveness study
Not later than 3 years after December 4, 2003, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress assessing the effectiveness of the Commission in promoting financial literacy and education.
(b)Study and report on the need and means for improving financial literacy among consumers
(1)Study required
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to assess the extent of consumers’ knowledge and awareness of credit reports, credit scores, and the dispute resolution process, and on methods for improving financial literacy among consumers.
(2)Factors to be included
The study required under paragraph (1) shall include the following issues:
(A)The number of consumers who view their credit reports.
(B)Under what conditions and for what purposes do consumers primarily obtain a copy of their consumer report (such as for the purpose of ensuring the completeness and accuracy of the contents, to protect against fraud, in response to an adverse action based on the report, or in response to suspected identity theft) and approximately what percentage of the total number of consumers who obtain a copy of their consumer report do so for each such primary purpose.
(C)The extent of consumers’ knowledge of the data collection process.
(D)The extent to which consumers know how to get a copy of a consumer report.
(E)The extent to which consumers know and understand the factors that positively or negatively impact credit scores.
(3)Report required
Before the end of the 12-month period beginning on December 4, 2003, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress on the findings and conclusions of the Comptroller General pursuant to the study conducted under this subsection, together with such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Comptroller General may determine to be appropriate, including recommendations on methods for improving financial literacy among consumers.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section subject to joint

Regulations

establishing

Effective Date

s as prescribed by Federal Reserve Board and Federal Trade Commission, except as otherwise provided, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–159, set out as an

Effective Date

of 2003 Amendment note under section 1681 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. Definitions For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 2 of Pub. L. 108–159, set out as a note under section 1681 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

20 U.S.C. § 9706

Title 20, Education

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110