Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act

Key Points

• Lets the Smithsonian’s American Latino Museum be placed in the National Mall’s protected central area, overriding earlier limits.
• Updates the rules so if the chosen site is controlled by another federal agency, that agency must be notified, notify key congressional committees, and then transfer control of the site to the Smithsonian.
• Tells the museum’s leaders to seek input from a wide range of Hispanic/Latino voices, including different political viewpoints and lived experiences, when creating or making major changes to exhibits.
• Requires the Smithsonian to report to Congress within 120 days after the law takes effect, and then every 2 years, about how it is meeting the “broad viewpoints” requirement.
• For everyday visitors, this mainly affects where the museum could be built on the Mall and how exhibit content is guided and reviewed.