,,ii #aad? ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bifh ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates ,may #bc1 #bjaf ,mr4 ,johnson 7= himself & ,mr4 ,grassley7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to reau?orize ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel ,reau?orization ,act ( #bjaf4 #b4 ,adequate access ( ,special ,c\nsel to in=mation ,section #abab7;b7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7#e7 7,a7 ,! ,special ,c\nsel1 9 c>ry+ out ?is sub*apt]-- 7i7 %all h timely access to all records1 data1 reports1 audits1 reviews1 docum5ts1 pap]s1 recomm5dations1 or o!r mat]ial available to ! applicable ag5cy :i* relate to a matt] )9 ! jurisdiction or au?ority ( ! ,special ,c\nsel2 7ii7 may reque/ f any ag5cy ! in=mation or assi/ance t may be necess>y = ! ,special ,c\nsel to c>ry out ! duties & responsibilities ( ! ,special ,c\nsel "u ?is sub*apt]2 & 7iii7 may require1 dur+ an inve/igation1 review1 or inquiry ( an ag5cy1 any employee ( ! ag5cy to provide to ! ,special ,c\nsel any record or o!r in=mation t relates to a matt] )9 ! jurisdiction or au?ority ( ! ,special ,c\nsel4 7,b7 7i7 ,a claim ( common law privilege by an ag5cy1 or an (fic] or employee ( an ag5cy1 %all n prev5t ! ,special ,c\nsel f obta9+ any mat]ial describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a77i7 ) respect to ! ag5cy4 7ii7 ,! submission ( mat]ial describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a77i7 by an ag5cy to ! ,special ,c\nsel may n be deem$ to waive any ass]tion ( privilege by ! ag5cy aga9/ a non-,f$]al entity or aga9/ an individual 9 any o!r proce$+4 7iii7 ,) respect to any record or o!r in=mation made available to ! ,special ,c\nsel by an ag5cy "u subp>agraph 7,a71 ! ,special ,c\nsel may only disclose ! record or in=mation = a purpose t is 9 fur!rance ( any au?ority provid$ to ! ,special ,c\nsel 9 ?is sub*apt]4 7#f7 ,! ,special ,c\nsel %all submit to ! ,committee on ,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate1 ! ,committee on ,ov]sight & ,gov]nm5t ,re=m ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 & ea* committee ( ,congress ) jurisdiction ov] ! applicable ag5cy a report reg>d+ any case ( contumacy or failure to comply ) a reque/ submitt$ by ! ,special ,c\nsel "u p>agraph 7#e77;,a74 4 #c4 ,prohibit$ p]sonnel practices2 in=mation on :i/lebl[] protections ,section #bcjb ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection 7a77#b77;,a7-- 7,a7 9 clause 7xi71 by /rik+ & at ! end2 7,b7 by r$esignat+ clause 7xii7 z clause 7xiii72 & 7,c7 by ins]t+ aft] clause 7xi7 ! foll[+3 7xii7 = ! purposes ( p>agraph 7#h7 or 7#i7 ( subsection 7b71 ! access+ ( a m$ical record ( ! employee or applicant = employm5t2 & 2 7#b7 9 subsection 7b77#i77;,d71 by ins]t+ 1 rule1 or regulation aft] ord]2 & 7#c7 by /rik+ subsection 7c7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 7c7 7#a7 ,9 ?is subsection-- 7,a7 ! t]m new employee means an individual-- 7i7 appo9t$ to a position z an employee on or aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel ,reau?orization ,act ( #bjaf2 & 7ii7 :o has n previ\sly s]v$ z an employee2 & 7,b7 ! t]m :i/lebl[] protections means ! protections aga9/ & rem$ies = a prohibit$ p]sonnel practice describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#h7 or subp>agraph 7,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d7 ( p>agraph 7#i7 ( subsection 7b74 7#b7 ,! head ( ea* ag5cy %all be responsible =-- 7,a7 prev5t+ prohibit$ p]sonnel practices2 7,b7 comply+ ) & en=c+ applicable civil s]vice laws1 rules1 & regulations1 & o!r aspects ( p]sonnel managem5t2 & 7,c7 ensur+1 9 consultation ) ! ,special ,c\nsel & ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ag5cy1 t employees ( ! ag5cy are in=m$ ( ! rights & rem$ies available to ! employees "u ?is *apt] & *apt] #ab1 includ+-- 7i7 in=mation ) respect to :i/lebl[] protections available to new employees dur+ a probation>y p]iod2 7ii7 ! role ( ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel & ! ,m]it ,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d ) respect to :i/lebl[] protections2 & 7iii7 ! means by :i*1 ) respect to in=mation t is o!rwise requir$ by law or ,executive ord] to be kept classifi$ 9 ! int]e/ ( national def5se or ! conduct ( =eign affairs1 an employee may make a lawful disclosure ( ! in=mation to-- 7,i7 ! ,special ,c\nsel2 7,,ii7 ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( an ag5cy2 7,,iii7 ,congress2 or 7,,iv7 ano!r employee ( ! ag5cy :o is designat$ to receive su* a disclosure4 7#c7 ,! head ( ea* ag5cy %all ensure t ! in=mation describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 is provid$ to ea* new employee ( ! ag5cy n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date on :i* ! new employee is appo9t$4 7#d7 ,! head ( ea* ag5cy %all make available in=mation reg>d+ :i/lebl[] protections applicable to employees ( ! ag5cy on ! public website ( ! ag5cy & on any onl9e portal t is made available only to employees ( ! ag5cy1 if su* portal exi/s4 7#e7 ,any employee to :om ! head ( an ag5cy delegates au?ority = any aspect ( p]sonnel managem5t %all1 )9 ! limits ( ! scope ( ! delegation1 be responsible = ! activities describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b74 4 #d4 ,additional :i/lebl[] provisions 7a7 ,explanations = failure ,to take action ,section #abac ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection 7b71 by /rik+ #ae days & ins]t+ #de days2 7#b7 9 subsection 7e7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#a71 by /rik+ ,any su* report & ins]t+ ,any report requir$ "u subsection 7c7 or p>agraph 7#e7 ( ?is subsection2 7,b7 by /rik+ p>agraph 7#b7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 7#b7 ,^u receipt ( any report t ! head ( an ag5cy is requir$ to submit "u subsection 7c71 ! ,special ,c\nsel %all review ! report & det]m9e :e!r-- 7,a7 ! f9d+s ( ! head ( ! ag5cy appe> reasonable2 & 7,b7 if ! ,special ,c\nsel requires ! head ( ! ag5cy to submit a supplem5tal report "u p>agraph 7#e71 ! reports submitt$ by ! head ( ! ag5cy collectively conta9 ! in=mation requir$ "u subsection 7d74 2 7,c7 9 p>agraph 7#c71 by /rik+ ag5cy report receiv$ pursuant to subsection 7c7 ( ?is section & ins]t+ report submitt$ to ! ,special ,c\nsel by ! head ( an ag5cy "u subsection 7c7 or p>agraph 7#e7 ( ?is subsection2 & 7,d7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7#e7 ,if1 aft] conduct+ a review ( a report "u p>agraph 7#b71 ! ,special ,c\nsel concludes t ! ,special ,c\nsel requires additional in=mation or docum5tation to det]m9e :e!r ! report submitt$ by ! head ( an ag5cy is reasonable & suffici5t1 ! ,special ,c\nsel may reque/ t ! head ( ! ag5cy submit a supplem5tal report-- 7,a7 conta9+ ! additional in=mation or docum5tation id5tifi$ by ! ,special ,c\nsel2 & 7,b7 :i* ! head ( ! ag5cy %all submit to ! ,special ,c\nsel )9 a p]iod ( "t specifi$ by ! ,special ,c\nsel4 2 & 7#c7 by /rik+ subsection 7h7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 7h7 ,! ,special ,c\nsel may n respond to any inquiry or disclose any in=mation ab\t any p]son :o makes a disclosure "u ?is section except 9 accordance ) section #eeb;a or z requir$ by any o!r provision ( ,f$]al law4 4 7b7 ,retaliatory inve/igations ,section #abad ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7i7 ,! ,special ,c\nsel may petition ! ,bo>d to ord] corrective action1 includ+ fees1 co/s1 or damages reasonably incurr$ by an employee due to an inve/igation ( ! employee by an ag5cy1 if ! inve/igation by an ag5cy 0 comm5c$1 exp&$1 or ext5d$ 9 retaliation = a disclosure or protect$ activity describ$ "u section #bcjb7;b77#h7 or section #bcjb7;b77#i7 7,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d71 ev5 if no p]sonnel action1 z def9$ "u section #bcjb7;a71 is tak5 or n tak54 4 7c7 ,s5sitive positions ,section #ggja ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by r$esignat+ subsection 7k7 z subsection 7l72 & 7#b7 by ins]t+ aft] subsection 7j7 ! foll[+3 7k7 7#a7 ,! ,bo>d has au?ority to review on ! m]its an appeal by an employee or applicant = employm5t ( an action aris+ f a det]m9ation t ! employee or applicant = employm5t is ineligible = a s5sitive position if-- 7,a7 ! s5sitive position does n require a security cle>ance or access to classifi$ in=mation2 & 7,b7 su* action is o!rwise appealable4 7#b7 ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m s5sitive position means a position designat$ z a s5sitive position "u ,executive ,ord] #ajdej 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 #gcaa note71 or any successor !reto4 4 7d7 ,protection ( :i/lebl[]s z crit]ia 9 p]=mance appraisals 7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ( sy/ems ,section #dcjb ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7,a7 by r$esignat+ subsections 7b7 & 7c7 z subsections 7c7 & 7d71 respectively2 & 7,b7 by ins]t+ aft] subsection 7a7 ! foll[+3 7b7 7#a7 ,! head ( ea* ag5cy1 9 consultation ) ! ,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t & ! ,special ,c\nsel1 %all develop crit]ia t-- 7,a7 ! head ( ! ag5cy %all use z a critical elem5t = e/abli%+ ! job requirem5ts ( a sup]visory employee2 & 7,b7 promote ! protection ( :i/lebl[]s4 7#b7 ,! crit]ia requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all include pr9ciples = ! protection ( :i/lebl[]s1 su* z ! degree to :i* sup]visory employees-- 7,a7 respond con/ructively :5 employees ( ! ag5cy make disclosures describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 ( section #bcjb7;b77#h72 7,b7 take responsible actions to resolve su* disclosures2 & 7,c7 fo/] an environm5t 9 :i* employees ( ! ag5cy feel com=table mak+ su* disclosures to sup]visory employees or o!r appropriate au?orities4 7#c7 ,9 ?is subsection-- 7,a7 ! t]m ag5cy means any entity ! employees ( :i* are cov]$ by p>agraphs 7#h7 & 7#i7 ( section #bcjb7;b71 )\t reg>d to :e!r any o!r provision ( ?is section is applicable to ! entity2 7,b7 ! t]m sup]visory employee means an employee :o w\ld be a sup]visor1 z def9$ 9 section #gajc7;a71 if ! ag5cy employ+ ! employee 0 an ag5cy = purposes ( *apt] #ga2 & 7,c7 ! t]m :i/lebl[] means an employee :o makes a disclosure describ$ 9 section #bcjb7;b77#h74 4 7#b7 ,crit]ia = p]=mance appraisals ,section #dcac ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#d71 by /rik+ & at ! end2 7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#e71 by /rik+ ! p]iod at ! end & ins]t+ 2 &2 & 7,c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7#f7 protect+ :i/lebl[]s1 z describ$ 9 section #dcjb7;b77#b74 4 7e7 ,annual report to ,congress on unacceptable p]=mance 9 :i/lebl[] protection 7#a7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]ms ag5cy & :i/lebl[] h ! mean+s giv5 ! t]ms 9 section #dcjb7;b77#c7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ by subsection 7d74 7#b7 ,report ,ea* ag5cy %all annually submit to ! ,committee on ,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate1 ! ,committee on ,ov]sight & ,gov]nm5t ,re=m ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 & ea* committee ( ,congress ) jurisdiction ov] ! ag5cy a report t details-- 7,a7 ! numb] ( p]=mance appraisals1 = ! ye> cov]$ by ! report1 t det]m9$ t an employee ( ! ag5cy fail$ to meet ! /&>ds = protect+ :i/lebl[]s t 7 e/abli%$ "u section #dcjb7;b7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ by subsection 7d72 7,b7 ! reasons = ! det]m9ations describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a72 & 7,c7 ea* discipl9>y or corrective action tak5 by ! ag5cy 9 response to a det]m9ation "u subp>agraph 7,a74 7f7 ,te*nical & con=m+ am5dm5t ,section #dcja ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$1 9 ! matt] prec$+ p>agraph 7#a71 by /rik+ ,= ! purpose ( & ins]t+ ,except z o!rwise expressly provid$1 = ! purpose (4 #e4 ,t]m9ation ( c]ta9 inve/igations by ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel ,section #abad7;a7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph 7#a77;,d71 9 ! fir/ s5t5ce1 by ins]t+ o!r ?an a t]m9ation ( an inve/igation describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#f77;,a7 aft] inve/igation ( a prohibit$ p]sonnel practice2 & 7#b7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7#f7 7,a7 ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] receiv+ an allegation ( a prohibit$ p]sonnel practice "u p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,special ,c\nsel may t]m9ate an inve/igation ( ! allegation )\t fur!r inquiry or an opportunity = ! individual :o submitt$ ! allegation to respond if ! ,special ,c\nsel det]m9es t-- 7i7 ! same allegation1 bas$ on ! same set ( facts & circum/ances _h previ\sly be5-- 7,i7 7aa7 made by ! individual2 & 7bb7 inve/igat$ by ! ,special ,c\nsel2 or 7,,ii7 fil$ by ! individual ) ! ,m]it ,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d2 7ii7 ! ,special ,c\nsel does n h jurisdiction to inve/igate ! allegation2 or 7iii7 ! individual knew or %\ld h kn[n ( ! alleg$ prohibit$ p]sonnel practice on or be=e ! date t is #c ye>s be=e ! date on :i* ! ,special ,c\nsel receiv$ ! allegation4 7,b7 ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! date on :i* ! ,special ,c\nsel t]m9ates an inve/igation "u subp>agraph 7,a71 ! ,special ,c\nsel %all provide a writt5 notification to ! individual :o submitt$ ! allegation ( a prohibit$ p]sonnel practice t /ates ! basis ( ! ,special ,c\nsel = t]m9at+ ! inve/igation4 4 #f4 ,allegations ( wrongdo+ )9 ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel ,section #abab ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7i7 ,! ,special ,c\nsel %all ent] into at lea/ #a agreem5t ) ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( an ag5cy "u :i*-- 7#a7 ! ,inspector ,g5]al %all-- 7,a7 receive1 review1 & inve/igate allegations ( prohibit$ p]sonnel practices or wrongdo+ fil$ by employees ( ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel2 & 7,b7 develop a me?od = an employee ( ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel to directly communicate ) ! ,inspector ,g5]al2 & 7#b7 ! ,special ,c\nsel-- 7,a7 may n require an employee ( ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel to seek au?orization or approval be=e directly contact+ ! ,inspector ,g5]al 9 accordance ) ! agreem5t2 & 7,b7 may reimburse ! ,inspector ,g5]al = s]vices provid$ "u ! agreem5t4 4 #g4 ,report+ requirem5ts 7a7 ,annual report ,section #abah ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3 #abah4 ,annual report ,! ,special ,c\nsel %all submit to ,congress1 on an annual basis1 a report on ! activities ( ! ,special ,c\nsel1 :i* %all include1 = ! ye> prec$+ ! submission ( ! report-- 7#a7 ! numb]1 types1 & disposition ( allegations ( prohibit$ p]sonnel practices fil$ ) ! ,special ,c\nsel & ! co/s ( resolv+ su* allegations2 7#b7 ! numb] ( inve/igations conduct$ by ! ,special ,c\nsel2 7#c7 ! numb] ( /ays or discipl9>y actions negotiat$ ) ag5cies by ! ,special ,c\nsel2 7#d7 ! numb] ( subpo5as issu$ by ! ,special ,c\nsel2 7#e7 ! numb] ( in/ances 9 :i* ! ,special ,c\nsel reop5$ an inve/igation aft] ! ,special ,c\nsel _h made an initial det]m9ation ) respect to ! inve/igation2 7#f7 ! actions t result$ f reop5+ inve/igations z describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#e72 7#g7 ! numb] ( in/ances 9 :i* ! ,special ,c\nsel did n make a det]m9ation be=e ! end ( ! #bdj-;day p]iod describ$ 9 section #abad7;b77#b77;,a77i7 reg>d+ :e!r !re 7 reasonable gr\nds to believe t a prohibit$ p]sonnel practice _h occurr$1 exi/$1 or 0 to be tak52 7#h7 a description ( ! recomm5dations & reports made by ! ,special ,c\nsel to o!r ag5cies "u ?is sub*apt] & ! actions tak5 by ! ag5cies z a result ( ! recomm5dations or reports2 7#i7 ! numb] (-- 7,a7 actions initiat$ be=e ! ,m]it ,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d1 includ+ ! numb] ( corrective action petitions & discipl9>y action compla9ts initiat$2 7,b7 /ays & ext5sions ( /ays obta9$ f ! ,m]it ,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d2 & 7,c7 reque/s = en=cem5t ( subpo5as or reque/s = en=cem5t by ! ,m]it ,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d describ$ 9 section #abab7;b77#f72 7#aj7 ! numb] ( prohibit$ p]sonnel practice compla9ts t result$ 9-- 7,a7 a favorable action = ! compla9ant1 organiz$ by actions 9-- 7i7 compla9ts deal+ ) reprisals aga9/ :i/lebl[]s2 & 7ii7 all o!r compla9ts2 & 7,b7 a favorable outcome = ! compla9ant1 organiz$ by outcomes 9-- 7i7 compla9ts deal+ ) reprisals aga9/ :i/lebl[]s2 & 7ii7 all o!r compla9ts2 7#aa7 ! numb] ( corrective actions t ! ,special ,c\nsel requir$ an ag5cy to take aft] a f9d+ by ! ,special ,c\nsel ( a prohibit$ p]sonnel practice1 z def9$ 9 section #bcjb7;b72 & 7#ab7 ! results = ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel ( any employee viewpo9t survey conduct$ by ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t or any o!r ag5cy4 4 7b7 ,public in=mation ,section #abai7;a77#a7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3 7#a7 a li/ ( any noncrim9al matt]s ref]r$ to ! head ( an ag5cy "u section #abac7;c71 toge!r )-- 7,a7 a copy ( ! in=mation transmitt$ to ! head ( ! ag5cy "u section #abac7;c77#a72 7,b7 any report f ! ag5cy "u section #abac7;c77#a77;,b7 relat+ to ! matt]2 7,c7 if appropriate1 n o!rwise prohibit$ by law1 & cons5t$ to by ! compla9ant1 any comm5ts f ! compla9ant "u section #abac7;e77#a7 relat+ to ! matt]2 & 7,d7 ! comm5ts or recomm5dations ( ! ,special ,c\nsel "u p>agraph 7#c7 or 7#d7 ( section #abac7;e72 4 #h4 ,e/abli%m5t ( survey pilot program 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel %all design & e/abli% a pilot program "u :i* ! ,(fice %all conduct1 dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+ on ,octob] #a1 #bjag & end+ on ,septemb] #cj1 #bjah1 a survey ( individuals :o h fil$ a compla9t or disclosure ) ! ,(fice4 7b7 ,purpose ,! survey "u subsection 7a7 %all be design$ = ! purpose ( collect+ in=mation & improv+ s]vice at v>i\s /ages ( a review or inve/igation by ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel4 7c7 ,results ,! results ( ! survey "u subsection 7a7 %all be publi%$ 9 ! annual report ( ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel4 7d7 ,susp5sion ( o!r surveys ,dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+ on ,octob] #a1 #bjag & end+ on ,septemb] #cj1 #bjah1 section #ac ( ! ,act entitl$ ,an ,act to reau?orize ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel1 & = o!r purposes1 approv$ ,octob] #bi1 #aiid 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 #abab note71 %all h no =ce or effect4 #i4 ,au?orization ( appropriations 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #h7;a77#b7 ( ! ,:i/lebl[] ,protection ,act ( #aihi 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 #eeji note7 is am5d$ by /rik+ #bjjc1 #bjjd1 #bjje1 #bjjf1 & #bjjg & ins]t+ #bjaf ?r\gh #bjba4 7b7 ,effective date ,! am5dm5t made by subsection 7a7 %all take effect z ?\gh enact$ on ,septemb] #cj1 #bjae4