# Plain Language Summary of the SHAWL Act

The SHAWL Act (Smithsonian History of American Women and Latino Act) allows two new Smithsonian museums to be built on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Currently, federal law restricts where new museums can be placed on the Mall, but this bill removes those restrictions for the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women's History Museum. In practical terms, this means these two museums can now have prime real estate on one of America's most visited tourist destinations, rather than being located elsewhere in the city or region.

The bill also handles the logistics of making this happen. If the Smithsonian wants to use land or buildings that are currently controlled by another federal agency (like the Department of Defense or National Park Service), the Smithsonian must notify that agency first. Once notified, Congress gets informed, and the other agency must transfer control of the property to the Smithsonian as soon as possible. This ensures that decisions about National Mall real estate don't happen in secret and gives Congress a chance to weigh in.

Additionally, the bill requires both museums to present diverse viewpoints and authentic experiences in their exhibits and programs. For the Latino museum, this means seeking guidance from a wide range of Hispanic and Latino communities with different political views and lived experiences. For the women's history museum, the same principle applies—exhibits should reflect the varied perspectives and experiences of different groups of women across America. Both museums must report to Congress every two years about how they're meeting these requirements, ensuring they're truly representing the communities they serve rather than presenting a narrow or one-sided view of history.