,,ii #aad? ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cahj ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates ,july #ac1 #bjaf ,ms4 ,heitkamp introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to improve hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities = ,f$]al ag5cies 9 geographic areas affect$ by unique situations or circum/ances1 includ+ remot5ess1 t cause recruitm5t & ret5tion *all5ges1 & to provide ag5cies exp]i5c+ su* *all5ges ) a toolkit ( res\rces to ov]come ^? *all5ges4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,flexible ,hir+ & ,improv+ ,recruitm5t1 ,ret5tion1 & ,education ,act ( #bjaf or ! ,flexible ,,hire ,act4 #b4 ,s5se ( ,congress ,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t-- 7#a7 ,f$]al ag5cies %\ld take aggressive action to respond to hir+ & ret5tion *all5ges 9 geographic areas affect$ by a unique situation or circum/ance1 includ+ :5 su* *all5ges develop f a ne$ to fill positions or reta9 employees due to ! remot5ess ( ! geographic area 9 "q2 7#b7 to respond to su* *all5ges1 ,f$]al ag5cies %\ld take advantage ( all appropriate hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities1 includ+ special pay rates & recruitm5t1 relocation1 & ret5tion bonuses2 & 7#c7 bo? ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t & all ,f$]al ag5cies h a significant responsibility to ensure t hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities are z accessible z possible to ,f$]al employees 9 geographic areas affect$ by a unique situation or circum/ance4 #c4 ,competitive s]vice2 exam9ations ,section #ccjd ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection 7a77#c77;,b71 by /rik+ det]m9$ t & all t foll[s ?r\gh ! p]iod & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 det]m9$ t-- 7i7 !re exi/s a sev]e %ortage ( highly qualifi$ c&idates2 7ii7 !re is a critical hir+ ne$2 or 7iii7 ! positions are 9 a geographic area affect$ by a unique situation or circum/ance t has directly & significantly affect$ recruitm5t & ret5tion ( employees 9 ! area1 9 accordance ) subsection 7g74 2 & 7#b7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7g7 ,recruitm5t & ret5tion difficulties 9 geographic areas affect$ by unique situations or circum/ances 7#a7 ,def9ition ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m geographic area affect$ by a unique situation or circum/ance means an area )9 ! cont95tal ,unit$ ,/ates 9 :i* ! recruitm5t & ret5tion ( ,f$]al employees has become a sev]e *all5ge = an ag5cy z ! direct result ( a dramatic economic developm5t1 h>d%ip1 or o!r relevant situation1 includ+ remot5ess1 t has a sub/antial impact on ! area4 7#b7 ,demon/ration ( recruitm5t & ret5tion difficulties ,an ag5cy may demon/rate t a geographic area is affect$ by a unique situation or circum/ance t has directly & significantly affect$ recruitm5t & ret5tion ( employees 9 ! area by-- 7,a7 provid+ evid5ce-- 7i7 t ! ag5cy is unable to effici5tly & effectively recruit employees = positions1 :i* may be demon/rat$ by v>i\s types ( evid5ce1 includ+ evid5ce t multiple positions h be5 cont9u\sly vacant = significantly long] ?an ! national av]age p]iod = :i* simil> positions 9 ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t are vacant2 7ii7 t ! ag5cy exp]i5ces a consi/5t inability to reta9 employees t negatively impacts ag5cy op]ations at a local or regional level2 7iii7 t ! ag5cy is unable to recruit & reta9 qualifi$ c&idates due to ! remot5ess ( ! geographic area1 :i* remot5ess may be demon/rat$ 9 ! same mann] z remot5ess f ! ne>e/ local infra/ructure is demon/rat$ "u section #eidb7;b72 or 7iv7 ( any o!r inability t ! ,(fice det]m9es suffici5t2 & 7,b7 meet+ any o!r crit]ia e/abli%$ by ! ,(fice4 7#c7 ,prioritization ( hir+ vet]ans ,if an ag5cy uses ! direct hir+ au?ority "u subsection 7a77#c77;,b77iii71 ! ag5cy %all "w to prioritize ! hir+ ( vet]ans by foll[+ ! pr9ciples conta9$ 9 "p #cjg ( title #e1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations1 or any successor regulation1 reg>d+ ! appo9tm5t ( qualifi$ vet]ans to ! competitive s]vice4 4 #d4 ,special pay au?ority ,section #ecje7;b77#d7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ any o!r circum/ances :i* & ins]t+ any o!r circum/ances1 includ+ ! location ( a position 9 a geographic area affect$ by a unique situation or circum/ance t has directly & significantly affect$ recruitm5t & ret5tion ( employees 9 ! area 7z describ$ 9 section #ccjd7;a77#c77;,b77iii771 t4 #e4 ,recruitm5t & relocation bonuses ,section #egec7;b77#a7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ bonus & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 bonus1 includ+ a position 9 a geographic area affect$ by a unique situation or circum/ance t has directly & significantly affect$ recruitm5t & ret5tion ( employees 9 ! area 7z describ$ 9 section #ccjd7;a77#c77;,b77iii774 #f4 ,ret5tion bonuses ,section #eged7;b77#b7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subp>agraph 7,a71 by /rik+ or at ! end2 7#b7 9 subp>agraph 7,b71 by /rik+ ! p]iod at ! end & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 1 includ+ if ! employee w\ld be likely to leave = a simil> position 9 ! ,f$]al s]vice 9 a diff]5t duty location1 or reque/ & be grant$ a reassignm5t to a diff]5t duty location )9 ! ag5cy1 because ( ! *all5g+ circum/ances ( rema9+ 9 a position 9 a geographic area affect$ by a unique situation or circum/ance t has directly & significantly affect$ recruitm5t & ret5tion ( employees 9 ! area 7z describ$ 9 section #ccjd7;a77#c77;,b77iii772 or2 & 7#c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7,c7 ! ,f$]al s]vice or = a diff]5t position 9 ! ,f$]al ,s]vice because ( ! *all5g+ circum/ances ( rema9+ 9 a position 9 a geographic area affect$ by a unique situation or circum/ance t has directly & significantly affect$ recruitm5t & ret5tion ( employees 9 ! area 7z describ$ 9 section #ccjd7;a77#c77;,b77iii774 4 #g4 ,all[ance bas$ on duty at remote worksites ,section #eidb ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by /rik+ ,not)/&+ & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 ,commut+ factors4-- 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,not)/&+ 2 7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#a71 z s designat$1 by /rik+ ( n to exce$ #aj a day & all t foll[s & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 = ! co/ ( ! commute at a mileage reimbursem5t rate prescrib$ by ! ,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t "u p>agraph 7#b72 & 7,c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7#b7 ,,opm regulations ,= purposes ( p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t %all prescribe by regulation a mileage reimbursem5t rate t is equival5t1 to ! maximum ext5t practicable1 to ! mileage reimbursem5t rate = privately own$ automobiles prescrib$ by ! ,adm9i/rator ( ,g5]al ,s]vices "u section #egjg7;b77#b74 2 & 7#b7 by /rik+ subsection 7b7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 7b7 ,non-,commut+ factors 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,not)/&+ section #eecf ( ?is title1 an employee ( an ,executive dep>tm5t or an indep5d5t e/abli%m5t :o is assign$ to duty1 except tempor>y duty1 at a site s remote f ! ne>e/ local infra/ructure z to require an appreciable degree ( exp5se1 h>d%ip1 & inconv5i5ce1 beyond t normally enc\nt]$ 9 metropolitan life1 on ! "p ( ! employee1 is entitl$1 9 addition to pay o!rwise due ! employee1 to an all[ance 9 an am\nt n to exce$ ! necess>y am\nt p] day1 z det]m9$ by ! ag5cy t employs ! employee 9 accordance ) p>agraph 7#b7 ( ?is subsection4 7#b7 ,det]m9ation ( necess>y am\nt2 ,,opm approval 7,a7 ,det]m9ation ( necess>y am\nt ,9 det]m9+ ! necess>y am\nt ( an all[ance "u p>agraph 7#a71 an ag5cy %all consid] ! factors consid]$ by ! ,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t "u subp>t ,b ( "p #eia ( title #e1 ,code ( ,f$]al ,regulations4 7,b7 ,,opm approval ,an ag5cy may n pay an all[ance "u p>agraph 7#a7 unless ! ,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t approves ! am\nt ( ! all[ance4 7#c7 ,def9ition ( local infra/ructure ,= purposes ( ?is subsection1 ! t]m local infra/ructure means-- 7,a7 e/abli%$ communities2 7,b7 suitable places ( resid5ce1 includ+ suffici5t af=dable h\s+ *oices2 7,c7 am5ities & s]vices1 includ+ m$ical c>e1 *ild c>e & s*ools1 & employm5t options = sp\ses2 7,d7 consum] goods & s]vices2 or 7,e7 o!r local infra/ructure z det]m9$ by ! ,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t4 4 #h4 ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t & o!r ag5cy m&ates 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,subp>t ,i ( "p ,,iii ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 #ajc ,hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities ,sec4 #ajcja4 ,def9itions4#ajcjb4 ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t m&ates4#ajcjb4 ,ag5cy m&ates4 #ajcja4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is *apt]-- 7#a7 ! t]m ,*ief ,human ,capital ,(fic] means-- 7,a7 ! ,*ief ,human ,capital ,(fic] ( an ag5cy designat$ or appo9t$ "u section #adja2 or 7,b7 ! equival5t2 7#b7 ! t]m ,director means ! ,director ( ! ,(fice2 7#c7 ! t]m geographically relat$ hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities means hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities t an ag5cy is au?oriz$ to ex]cise ) respect to a position 9 a geographic area affect$ by a unique situation or circum/ance t directly & significantly affects ! ability ( ! ag5cy to recruit & reta9 employees1 includ+ "u-- 7,a7 section #ccjd7;a77#c77;,b77iii72 7,b7 section #ecje2 7,c7 section #egec2 7,d7 section #eged2 7,e7 section #eidb7;b72 & 7,f7 any o!r provision ( law t ! ,director det]m9es appropriate2 7#d7 ! t]m hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities means au?ority1 relat+ to appo9tm5ts1 comp5sation 7includ+ bonuses1 all[ances1 & o!r types ( comp5sation71 leave1 telework1 or o!r inc5tives1 t an ag5cy is au?oriz$ to ex]cise = a position ) respect to :i* ! ag5cy has _h difficulty recruit+ & reta9+ employees2 & 7#e7 ! t]m ,(fice means ! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t4 #ajcjb4 ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t m&ates 7a7 ,p]man5t work+ gr\p 7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,! ,director %all e/abli% a p]man5t hir+ work+ gr\p 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section z ! work+ gr\p7 9 ! ,(fice to help ag5cies prep>e & deal ) geographic areas t are affect$ by a unique situation or circum/ance1 includ+ remot5ess1 t directly & significantly affects ! ability ( ! ag5cies to recruit & reta9 employees4 7#b7 ,duty ,! work+ gr\p %all cont9u\sly exam9e-- 7,a7 hir+ flexibilities2 7,b7 worksite designations2 7,c7 ! application process2 7,d7 specific pay flexibilities = hir+ & ret5tion2 7,e7 work=ce & succession plann+2 & 7,f7 o!r issues relat$ to recruitm5t & ret5tion4 7#c7 ,consultation ,9 c>ry+ out its duties "u ?is section1 ! work+ gr\p %all consult ) outsid] /akehold] & ,f$]al employee gr\ps1 z necess>y4 7b7 ,ex]cise ( geographically relat$ hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities ,if ! ,director det]m9es t an ag5cy is eligible to ex]cise geographically relat$ hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities1 ! ,director %all-- 7#a7 designate n less ?an #a p]son f ! work+ gr\p to be ! po9t p]son 9 ! ,(fice = ea* unique situation or circum/ance to-- 7,a7 directly manage ! *all5ges t ! ag5cy faces z a result ( ! unique situation or circum/ance 9 ! applicable geographic area2 7,b7 develop /rategies ?r\gh :i* solutions develop$ = ! ag5cy c be %>$ ) & utiliz$ by o!r ag5cies t face pot5tially simil> situations or circum/ances2 7,c7 guide ! work+ gr\p 9 address+ ! *all5ges 9 ! applicable geographic area2 & 7,d7 provide lead]%ip reg>d+ individual roles = memb]s ( ! work+ gr\p2 7#b7 provide guidance & recomm5dations to ! ag5cy reg>d+ h[ to improve ! hir+ process1 includ+ ?r\gh ! ,,usa ,jobs ,int]net website1 s t applicants = positions c be mov$ ?r\gh ! process z exp$iti\sly z possible to alleviate recruitm5t & ret5tion problems z soon z possible2 & 7#c7 /reaml9e ! implem5tation ( geographically relat$ human res\rces flexibilities s t ! recruitm5t1 ret5tion1 & relocation ef=ts ( ! ag5cy are z exp$iti\s & effective z possible4 7c7 ,/rategy = improv+ application process = hir+ flexibilities 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date on :i* ! ,director e/abli%es ! work+ gr\p1 ! work+ gr\p %all submit to ! ,director a /rategy t conta9s recomm5dations on h[ to improve ! application process = ag5cy use ( hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities1 includ+-- 7,a7 special pay rates2 7,b7 recruitm5t1 ret5tion1 & relocation bonuses2 & 7,c7 recruitm5t & hir+ /rategies4 7#b7 ,/udy ,9 prep>+ ! /rategy "u p>agraph 7#a71 ! work+ gr\p %all exam9e h[ to improve ! ability ( ag5cies to access ! flexibilities describ$ 9 t p>agraph 9 a timely fa%ion to meet critical human res\rce *all5ges1 includ+ :5 a geographic area is affect$ by a situation or circum/ance t directly & significantly affects ! ability ( an ag5cy to recruit & reta9 employees4 7#c7 ,recomm5dations ,! work+ gr\p may1 z ne$$1 develop recomm5dations = ,congress reg>d+ appropriate legislative *anges1 includ+ *anges to exi/+ hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities 7includ+ geographically relat$ hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities71 ne$$ to improve ! ability ( ag5cies to meet _! hir+ & ret5tion ne$s4 7#d7 ,updates to /rategy 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! work+ gr\p %all update ! /rategy requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 & develop new recomm5dations if ! ,director det]m9es t ! /rategy ne$s to be updat$4 7,b7 ,consultation ,9 det]m9+ :e!r ! /rategy requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 ne$s to be updat$1 ! ,director may consult ) ! heads ( o!r ag5cies4 7d7 ,education ,! ,director %all improve education reg>d+ hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities 7includ+ geographically relat$ hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities7 = all ag5cies by-- 7#a7 conduct+ n less ?an #a annual tra9+ session = ! ,*ief ,human ,capital ,(fic] ( ea* ag5cy & employees ( t (fic]2 & 7#b7 9 coord9ation ) ! ,*ief ,human ,capital ,(fic]s ,c\ncil1 develop+ tra9+ & educational mat]ials on ,gov]nm5t-wide hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities = employees ( ea* ag5cy :o are involv$ 9 recruitm5t1 hir+1 assessm5t1 or selection ( c&idates4 7e7 ,evaluation 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,director %all evaluate1 on an annual basis1 ! ext5t to :i* tra9+ conduct$ directly by ! ,(fice & by ag5cies has improv$ ! hir+ & ret5tion ability ( ag5cies t face unique situations or circum/ances t impact hir+ & ret5tion4 7#b7 ,in=mation ,! evaluation conduct$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all include-- 7,a7 any r$uction 9 ! "t tak5 by ag5cies to fill mission-critical positions 9 geographic areas fac+ unique situations or circum/ances2 7,b7 ! quality ( new hires1 includ+ ! satisfaction ( hir+ manag]s ) new hires1 )9 #a ye> ( fill+ a position2 & 7,c7 o!r in=mation ! ,director det]m9es relevant4 #ajcjc4 ,ag5cy m&ates 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,if a geographic area is affect$ by a unique situation or circum/ance t directly affects ! ability ( an ag5cy to recruit & reta9 employees1 includ+ situations or circum/ances :]e ! remote location ( a position significantly impacts ! ability ( an ag5cy to recruit or reta9 employees1 ! ag5cy %all-- 7#a7 take action to mitigate ! *all5ge 9 a timely fa%ion1 includ+ by creat+ pilot programs or o!r programs1 if appropriate1 to increase ! numb] ( new employees :o are plac$ 9 t geographic area2 7#b7 n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date on :i* ! ,director det]m9es t ! ag5cy is eligible to ex]cise geographically relat$ human res\rces flexibilities1 implem5t any pilot program creat$ "u p>agraph 7#a72 7#c7 exam9e exi/+ ag5cy programs to det]m9e h[ to-- 7,a7 mo/ effectively aide sp\ses & families ( affect$ ag5cy employees2 & 7,b7 develop a /rategy to aide ^? sp\ses & families2 & 7#d7 enhance t>get$ recruit+ ef=ts by build+ relation%ips ) local colleges & univ]sities1 vet]ans transition & employm5t c5t]s1 & job placem5t programs 9 ! area4 7b7 ,education ,an ag5cy %all conduct annual tra9+ sessions = employees ( ! ag5cy on hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities 7includ+ geographically relat$ hir+ & human res\rces flexibilities71 ( :i* ! ,*ief ,human ,capital ,(fic] ( ! ag5cy or a designee %all conduct n less ?an #b tra9+ sessions = ea* employee ( ! ag5cy s]v+ 9 ag5cy headqu>t]s or field (fices involv$ 9 ! recruitm5t1 hir+1 assessm5t1 or selection ( c&idates4 4 7b7 ,te*nical & con=m+ am5dm5t ,! table ( *apt]s = "p ,,iii ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to *apt] #ajb ! foll[+3 #ajc4;,human res\rces flexibilities#ajcja 4 #i4 ,c5traliz$ int]n%ip database ,section #caaa;a ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by r$esignat+ subsection 7c7 z subsection 7d72 & 7#b7 by ins]t+ aft] subsection 7b7 ! foll[+3 7c7 ,c5traliz$ database ,! ,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t %all e/abli% & ma9ta9 a c5traliz$ electronic database t conta9s ! names1 contact in=mation1 & relevant skills ( individuals :o-- 7#a7 h complet$ or are ne>+ completion ( an int]n%ip program2 & 7#b7 are seek+ full-"t ,f$]al employm5t4 4