,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bdja ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #g1 #bjah,mr4 ,grassley introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie to reform the procedures provided under such ,act for the initiation1 investigation1 and resolution of claims alleging that employing offices of the legislative branch have violated the rights and protections provided to their employees under such ,act1 including protections against sexual harassment1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 references in ,act2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie ,reform ,act4 7b7 ,references in ,act ,except as otherwise expressly provided in this ,act1 wherever in this ,act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to or repeal of a section or other provision1 the reference shall be considered to be made to that section or other provision of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja et seq474 7c7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 references in ,act2 table of contents4 ,,title ,i--,reform of ,dispute ,resolution ,procedures ,subtitle ,a--,reform of ,procedures for ,initiation1 ,investigation1 and ,resolution of ,claims ,sec4 #aja4 ,description of procedures available for consideration of alleged violations4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,reform of process for initiation of procedures4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,investigation of claims by ,general ,counsel4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,availability of mediation during investigations4 ,subtitle ,b--,other ,reforms ,sec4 #aaa4 ,requiring ,members of ,congress to reimburse ,treasury for amounts paid as settlements and awards in cases of acts committed personally by ,members4 ,sec4 #aab4 ,automatic referral to congressional ethics committees of disposition of certain claims alleging violations of ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie involving ,members of ,congress and senior staff4 ,sec4 #aac4 ,availability of remote work assignment or paid leave of absence during pendency of procedures4 ,sec4 #aad4 ,modification of rules on confidentiality of proceedings4 ,sec4 #aae4 ,reimbursement by other employing offices of legislative branch of payments of certain awards and settlements4 ,,title ,,ii--,improving ,operations of ,office of ,compliance ,sec4 #bja4 ,reports on claims1 awards1 and settlements4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,workplace climate surveys of employing offices4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,record retention4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,,gao study of management practices4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,,gao audit of cybersecurity4 ,,title ,,iii--,miscellaneous ,reforms ,sec4 #cja4 ,extension to unpaid staff of rights and protections against employment discrimination4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,coverage of employees of ,library of ,congress4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,clarification of coverage of employees of ,stennis ,center and ,helsinki and ,china ,commissions4 ,sec4 #cjd4 ,training and education programs of other employing offices4 ,sec4 #cje4 ,application of ,genetic ,information ,nondiscrimination ,act of #bjjh4 ,sec4 #cjf4 ,generally applicable remedies and limitations4 ,sec4 #cjg4 ,renaming ,office of ,compliance as ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 ,,title ,,iv--,effective ,date ,sec4 #dja4 ,effective date4 ,i ,reform of ,dispute ,resolution ,procedures ,a ,reform of ,procedures for ,initiation1 ,investigation1 and ,resolution of ,claims #aja4 ,description of procedures available for consideration of alleged violations 7a7 ,procedures described ,section #dja 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adja7 is amended to read as follows3 #dja4 ,procedure for consideration of alleged violations 7a7 ,filing and investigation of claims ,except as otherwise provided in this ,act1 the procedure for consideration of an alleged violation of part ,a of title ,,ii consists of-- 7#a7 the filing of a claim by the covered employee alleging the violation1 as provided in section #djb2 7#b7 an investigation of the claim1 to be conducted by the ,general ,counsel as provided in section #djc2 and 7#c7 a formal hearing as provided in section #dje1 subject to ,board review as provided in section #djf1 and judicial review in the ,united ,states ,court of ,appeals for the ,federal ,circuit as provided in section #djg1 but only if1 pursuant to an investigation conducted by the ,general ,counsel as provided in section #djc1 the ,general ,counsel finds either-- 7,a7 that there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office involved committed a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii as alleged in the covered employee's claim2 or 7,b7 that the ,general ,counsel cannot determine whether or not there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii as alleged in the covered employee's claim4 7b7 ,right of employee ,to file civil action 7#a7 ,civil action ,a covered employee who files a claim as provided in section #djb may1 during the period described in paragraph 7#c71 file a civil action in a district court of the ,united ,states with respect to the alleged violation involved1 as provided in section #djh4 7#b7 ,effect of filing civil action ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#b7 or paragraph 7#c7 of subsection 7a71 if the covered employee files such a civil action-- 7,a7 the investigation of the claim by the ,general ,counsel as provided in section #djc1 or any subsequent formal hearing as provided in section #dje1 shall terminate upon the filing of the action by the covered employee2 and 7,b7 the procedure for consideration of the alleged violation shall not include any further investigation of the claim by the ,general ,counsel as provided in section #djc or any subsequent formal hearing as provided in section #dje4 7#c7 ,period for filing civil action ,the period described in this paragraph with respect to a claim is the #de-;day period which begins on the date the covered employee files the claim under section #djb4 7#d7 ,special rule for employees receiving finding of no reasonable cause under investigation by ,general ,counsel ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#c71 if a covered employee receives a written notice from the ,general ,counsel under section #djc7;c77#c7 that the employee has the right to file a civil action with respect to the claim in accordance with section #djh1 the covered employee may file the civil action not later than #ij days after receiving such written notice4 7c7 ,special rule for ,architect of the ,capitol and ,capitol ,police ,in the case of an employee of the ,office of the ,architect of the ,capitol or of the ,capitol ,police1 the ,office1 after receiving a claim filed under section #djb1 may recommend that the employee use1 for a specific period of time1 the grievance procedures of the ,architect of the ,capitol or the ,capitol ,police for resolution of the employee's grievance4 7d7 ,rights of parties ,to retain private counsel ,nothing in this title may be construed to limit the authority of any particular individual1 including a covered employee1 the head of an employing office1 or an individual who is alleged to have personally committed an act which consists of a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii1 to retain counsel to protect the interests of the particular individual at any point during any of the procedures provided under this ,act for the consideration of an alleged violation of part ,a of title ,,ii1 including as provided under section #dae7;d77#g7 with respect to ,members of the ,house of ,representatives and ,senators4 7e7 ,standards for counsel providing representation ,any counsel who represents a party in any of the procedures provided under this ,act shall have an obligation to ensure that1 to the best of the counsel's knowledge1 information1 and belief1 as formed after an inquiry which is reasonable under the circumstances1 each of the following is correct3 7#a7 ,no pleading1 written motion1 or other paper is presented for any improper purpose1 such as to harass1 cause unnecessary delay1 or needlessly increase the cost of resolution of the matter4 7#b7 ,the claims1 defenses1 and other legal contentions the counsel advocates are warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for extending1 modifying1 or reversing existing law or for establishing new law4 7#c7 ,the factual contentions have evidentiary support or1 if specifically so identified1 will likely have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further investigation or discovery4 7#d7 ,the denials of factual contentions are warranted on the evidence or1 if specifically so identified1 are reasonably based on belief or a lack of information4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment relating to civil action ,section #djh 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adjh7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking section #djd and inserting section #dja2 7#b7 by striking who has completed counseling under section #djb and mediation under section #djc2 and 7#c7 by striking the second sentence4 7c7 ,conforming amendment related to settlements ,section #dad 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adad7 is amended by striking or #dja and inserting #dja1 or #djc7;c77#c74 7d7 ,other conforming amendments ,title ,,iv is amended-- 7#a7 by striking section #djd 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adjd72 and 7#b7 by redesignating section #djc 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adjc7 as section #djd4 7e7 ,clerical amendments ,the table of contents is amended-- 7#a7 by striking the item relating to section #djd2 and 7#b7 by redesignating the item relating to section #djc as relating to section #djd4 #ajb4 ,reform of process for initiation of procedures 7a7 ,initiation of procedures ,section #djb 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adjb7 is amended to read as follows3 #djb4 ,initiation of procedures 7a7 ,intake of claim by ,office ,to commence a proceeding under this title1 a covered employee alleging a violation of law made applicable under part ,a of title ,,ii shall file a claim with the ,office4 ,the claim shall be made in writing under oath or affirmation1 and shall be in such form as the ,office requires4 7b7 ,initial processing of claim 7#a7 ,intake and recording2 notification to employing office ,upon the filing of a claim by a covered employee under subsection 7a71 the ,office shall take such steps as may be necessary for the initial intake and recording of the claim1 including providing the employee with all relevant information with respect to the rights of the employee under this ,act1 and shall notify the head of the employing office of the claim4 7#b7 ,special notification requirements for claims based on acts committed personally by ,members of ,congress 7,a7 ,in general ,in the case of a claim alleging a violation described in subparagraph 7,b7 which consists of an act committed personally by an individual who1 at the time of committing the act1 was a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives 7including a ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to the ,congress7 or a ,senator1 upon the filing of the claim under subsection 7a71 the ,office shall notify such individual of the claim1 the possibility that the individual may be required to reimburse the account described in section #dae7;a7 for the amount of any award or settlement in connection with the claim1 and the right of the individual under section #dae7;d77#g7 to intervene in any mediation1 hearing1 or civil action under this title with respect to the claim4 7,b7 ,violations described ,a violation described in this subparagraph is-- 7i7 a violation of section #bja7;a72 or 7ii7 a violation of section #bjg which consists of intimidating1 taking reprisal against1 or otherwise discriminating against any covered employee because the covered employee has opposed any practice made unlawful by section #bja7;a74 7c7 ,use of electronic reporting and tracking system 7#a7 ,establishment and operation of system ,the ,office shall establish and operate an electronic reporting and tracking system through which a covered employee may initiate a proceeding under this title1 and which will keep an electronic record of the date and time at which the proceeding is initiated and will track all subsequent actions or proceedings occurring with respect to the proceeding under this title4 7#b7 ,accessibility to all parties ,the system shall be accessible to all parties to such actions or proceedings1 but only until the completion of such actions or proceedings4 7#c7 ,assessment of effectiveness of procedures ,the ,office shall use the information contained in the system to make regular assessments of the effectiveness of the procedures under this title in providing for the timely resolution of claims1 and shall submit semi-annual reports on such assessments each year to the ,committee on ,house ,administration of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration of the ,senate4 7d7 ,deadline ,a covered employee may not file a claim under this section with respect to an allegation of a violation of law after the expiration of the #ahj-;day period which begins on the date of the alleged violation4 7e7 ,no effect on ability of covered employee ,to seek information from ,office or pursue relief ,nothing in this section may be construed to limit the ability of a covered employee-- 7#a7 to contact the ,office or any other appropriate office prior to filing a claim under this section to seek information regarding the employee's rights under this ,act and the procedures available under this ,act2 7#b7 in the case of a covered employee of an employing office of the ,house of ,representatives or ,senate1 to refer information regarding an alleged violation of part ,a of title ,,ii to the ,committee on ,ethics of the ,house of ,representatives or the ,select ,committee on ,ethics of the ,senate 7as the case may be72 or 7#c7 to file a civil action in accordance with section #dja7;b74 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents is amended by amending the item relating to section #djb to read as follows3 ,sec4 #djb4 ,initiation of procedures4 4 #ajc4 ,investigation of claims by ,general ,counsel 7a7 ,investigations described ,title ,,iv 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adja et seq471 as amended by section #aja7;d71 is further amended by inserting after section #djb the following new section3 #djc4 ,investigation of claims 7a7 ,investigation ,upon the completion of the initial processing of a claim under section #djb7;b71 the ,general ,counsel shall conduct an investigation of the claim involved4 7b7 ,subpoenas ,to carry out an investigation under this section1 the ,general ,counsel may issue subpoenas in the same manner1 and subject to the same terms and conditions1 as a hearing officer may issue subpoenas to carry out discovery with respect to a hearing under section #dje1 except that the ,general ,counsel may issue such a subpoena on the ,general ,counsel's own initiative1 without regard to whether or not a party requests that the ,general ,counsel issue the subpoena4 ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,general ,counsel should issue subpoenas under this subsection only to the extent that other methods of obtaining information with respect to an investigation are insufficient to enable the ,general ,counsel to conclude the investigation within the deadline described in subsection 7e74 7c7 ,report2 findings 7#a7 ,report ,upon concluding an investigation of a claim under this section1 the ,general ,counsel shall transmit a written report on the results of the investigation to the covered employee and the employing office involved4 7#b7 ,inclusion of findings ,the ,general ,counsel shall include in the report transmitted under paragraph 7#a7 one of the following findings3 7,a7 ,a finding that there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii1 as alleged in the covered employee's claim4 7,b7 ,a finding that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii1 as alleged in the covered employee's claim4 7,c7 ,a finding that the ,general ,counsel cannot determine whether or not there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii1 as alleged in the covered employee's claim4 7#c7 ,notice of right to file civil action ,if the ,general ,counsel transmits a report with a finding under subparagraph 7,b7 of paragraph 7#b71 the ,general ,counsel shall also transmit to the covered employee a written notice that the employee has the right to file a civil action with respect to the claim under section #djh4 7#d7 ,transmission to ,executive ,director ,if the ,general ,counsel transmits a report with a finding under subparagraph 7,a7 or subparagraph 7,c7 of paragraph 7#b71 the ,general ,counsel shall also transmit the report to the ,executive ,director4 7#e7 ,transmission of report on investigation of certain claims to ,congressional ethics committees 7,a7 ,in general ,in the case of a report transmitted by the ,general ,counsel under paragraph 7#a7 on the results of an investigation of a claim alleging a violation described in subparagraph 7,b7 which consists of an act committed personally by a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives 7including a ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to the ,congress7 or a ,senator1 the ,general ,counsel shall transmit the report to-- 7i7 the ,committee on ,ethics of the ,house of ,representatives1 in the case of a ,member of the ,house 7including a ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to the ,congress72 or 7ii7 the ,select ,committee on ,ethics of the ,senate1 in the case of a ,senator4 7,b7 ,violations described ,a violation described in this subparagraph is-- 7i7 a violation of section #bja7;a72 or 7ii7 a violation of section #bjg which consists of intimidating1 taking reprisal against1 or otherwise discriminating against any covered employee because the covered employee has opposed any practice made unlawful by section #bja7;a74 7d7 ,recommendation of mediation ,at any time during the investigation of a claim under this section1 the ,general ,counsel may make a recommendation that the covered employee and the employing office pursue mediation under section #djd with respect to the claim4 7e7 ,deadline for concluding investigation ,the ,general ,counsel shall conclude the investigation of a claim under this section1 and transmit the report on the results of the investigation1 not later than #ij days after the claim is filed under section #djb1 except that the ,general ,counsel may 7upon notice to the parties to the investigation7 use an additional period of not to exceed #cj days to conclude the investigation4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendments relating to hearings conducted by ,office of ,compliance ,section #dje 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adje7 is amended as follows3 7#a7 ,in the heading1 by striking ,complaint and4 7#b7 ,by amending subsection 7a7 to read as follows3 7a7 ,requirement for ,office ,to conduct hearings 7#a7 ,hearing required upon certain findings by ,general ,counsel 7,a7 ,in general ,if the ,general ,counsel transmits to the ,executive ,director a report on the investigation of a claim under section #djc which includes a finding described in subparagraph 7,b71 the ,office shall conduct a hearing to consider the claim and render a decision4 7,b7 ,findings described ,a finding described in this subparagraph is-- 7i7 a finding under section #djc7;c77#b77;,a7 that there is reasonable cause to believe that an employing office committed a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii1 as alleged in a claim filed by a covered employee2 or 7ii7 a finding under section #djc7;c77#b77;,c7 that the ,general ,counsel cannot determine whether or not there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii1 as alleged in the covered employee's claim4 4 7#c7 ,in subsection 7c77#a71 by striking complaint each place it appears and inserting claim4 7#d7 ,in subsection 7d7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking complaint and inserting claim4 7#e7 ,in subsection 7d77#b71 by striking no later than #fj days after filing of the complaint and inserting no later than #fj days after the ,executive ,director receives the ,general ,counsel's report on the investigation of the claim4 7#f7 ,in subsection 7g71 by striking complaint and inserting claim4 7c7 ,other conforming amendment ,the heading of section #dad 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adad7 is amended by striking of complaints4 7d7 ,clerical amendments ,the table of contents1 as amended by section #aja7;d71 is further amended as follows3 7#a7 ,by inserting after the item relating to section #djb the following new item3 ,sec4 #djc4 ,investigation of claims4 4 7#b7 ,by amending the item relating to section #dje to read as follows3 ,sec4 #dje4 ,hearing4 4 7#c7 ,by amending the item relating to section #dad to read as follows3 ,sec4 #dad4 ,settlement4 4 #ajd4 ,availability of mediation during investigations 7a7 ,option ,to request mediation ,section #djd7;a7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adjc7;a771 as redesignated by section #aja7;c71 is amended to read as follows3 7a7 ,availability of mediation during investigation ,at any time during the investigation of a covered employee's claim under section #djc1 the covered employee and the employing office may jointly file a request for mediation with the ,office4 4 7b7 ,period of mediation ,the second sentence of section #djd7;c7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adjc7;c771 as redesignated by section #aja7;c71 is amended to read as follows3 ,the mediation period may be extended for one additional period of #cj days at the joint request of the covered employee and employing office44 7c7 ,requiring parties ,to be separated during mediation at request of employee ,section #djd7;b77#b7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adjc7;b77#b771 as redesignated by section #aja7;c71 is amended by striking meetings with the parties separately or jointly and inserting meetings with the parties during which1 at the request of the covered employee1 the parties shall be separated14 ,b ,other ,reforms #aaa4 ,requiring ,members of ,congress to reimburse ,treasury for amounts paid as settlements and awards in cases of acts committed personally by ,members 7a7 ,mandating reimbursement of amounts paid ,section #dae 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adae7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,reimbursement by ,members of ,congress of amounts paid as settlements and awards 7#a7 ,reimbursement required for certain violations 7,a7 ,in general ,if a payment is made from the account described in subsection 7a7 for an award or settlement in connection with a claim alleging a violation described in subparagraph 7,b7 which consists of an act committed personally by an individual who1 at the time of committing the act1 was a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives 7including a ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to the ,congress7 or a ,senator1 the individual shall reimburse the account for the amount of the award or settlement4 7,b7 ,violations described ,a violation described in this subparagraph is-- 7i7 a violation of section #bja7;a72 or 7ii7 a violation of section #bjg which consists of intimidating1 taking reprisal against1 or otherwise discriminating against any covered employee because the covered employee has opposed any practice made unlawful by section #bja7;a74 7#b7 ,withholding amounts from salary 7,a7 ,establishment of timetable and procedures by ,committees ,for purposes of carrying out subparagraph 7,b71 the applicable ,committee shall establish a timetable and procedures for the withholding of amounts from the compensation of an individual who is a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives or a ,senator4 7,b7 ,deadline ,the payroll administrator shall withhold from an individual's compensation and transfer to the account described in subsection 7a7 7after transferring to the account of the individual in the ,thrift ,savings ,fund any amount that the individual had requested to be so transferred7 such amounts as may be necessary to reimburse the account described in subsection 7a7 for the payment of an award or settlement described in paragraph 7#a7 if the individual has not reimbursed the account as required under paragraph 7#a7 prior to the expiration of the #ij-;day period which begins on the date a payment is made from the account for such an award or settlement4 7,c7 ,applicable committee defined ,in this paragraph1 the applicable ,committee means-- 7i7 the ,committee on ,house ,administration of the ,house of ,representatives1 in the case of an individual who1 at the time of the withholding1 is a ,member of the ,house2 or 7ii7 the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration of the ,senate1 in the case of an individual who1 at the time of the withholding1 is a ,senator4 7#c7 ,use of amounts in ,thrift ,savings ,fund as source of reimbursement 7,a7 ,in general ,if1 by the expiration of the #ahj-;day period which begins on the date a payment is made from the account described in subsection 7a7 for an award or settlement described in paragraph 7#a71 an individual who is a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives or a ,senator has not reimbursed the account as required under paragraph 7#a71 the ,executive ,director of the ,federal ,retirement ,thrift ,investment ,board shall make a transfer1 from the account of the individual in the ,thrift ,savings ,fund to the account described in subsection 7a71 of an amount equal to the award or settlement 7reduced by any amount the individual has reimbursed1 taking into account any amounts withheld under paragraph 7#b774 7,b7 ,initiation of transfer ,notwithstanding section #hdce of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,executive ,director shall make the transfer under subparagraph 7,a7 upon receipt of a written request to the ,executive ,director from the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 in the form and manner required by the ,executive ,director1 without the consent of the individual or the individual's spouse or former spouse 7as the case may be74 7#d7 ,notification to ,office of ,personnel ,management and ,secretary of the ,treasury2 garnishment ,if1 at the time an individual is first no longer receiving compensation as a ,member or a ,senator1 the amounts withheld under this subsection have not been sufficient to reimburse the account described in subsection 7a7 for an award or settlement described in paragraph 7#a71 the payroll administrator-- 7,a7 shall notify the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management1 who shall take such actions as the ,director considers appropriate to withhold from any annuity payable to the individual under chapter #hc or chapter #hd of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 and transfer to the account described in subsection 7a71 such amounts as may be necessary to reimburse the account for the payment2 and 7,b7 shall notify the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 who 7if necessary71 notwithstanding section #bjg of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djg71 shall take such actions as the ,secretary of the ,treasury considers appropriate to withhold from any payment to the individual under title ,,ii of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dja et seq47 and transfer to the account described in subsection 7a71 such amounts as may be necessary to reimburse the account for the payment4 7#e7 ,coordination between ,,opm and ,treasury ,the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management and the ,secretary of the ,treasury shall carry out paragraph 7#d7 in a manner that ensures the coordination of the withholding and transferring of amounts under such paragraph1 in accordance with regulations promulgated by the ,director and the ,secretary4 7#f7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7,a7 ,committed personally ,the term committed personally1 used with respect to an act and an individual1 does not include a practice committed by a second individual and attributed to the first individual or that individual's employing office4 7,b7 ,payroll administrator ,the term payroll administrator means-- 7i7 in the case of an individual who is a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,chief ,administrative ,officer of the ,house of ,representatives1 or an employee of the ,office of the ,chief ,administrative ,officer who is designated by the ,chief ,administrative ,officer to carry out this subsection2 or 7ii7 in the case of an individual who is a ,senator1 the ,secretary of the ,senate1 or an employee of the ,office of the ,secretary of the ,senate who is designated by the ,secretary to carry out this subsection4 7#g7 ,right to intervene ,an individual who is subject to the reimbursement requirement of this subsection shall have the right to intervene in any mediation1 hearing1 or civil action under this title to the extent necessary to protect the interests of the individual in the determination of whether an award or settlement described in paragraph 7#a7 should be made1 and the amount of any such award or settlement1 except that nothing in this paragraph may be construed to require the covered employee who filed the claim to be deposed by counsel for the individual in a deposition which is separate from any other deposition taken from the employee in connection with the hearing or civil action4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment relating to ,thrift ,savings ,fund ,section #hdcg7;e7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking or an obligation and inserting the following3 an obligation of the ,executive ,director to make a transfer under section #dae7;d77#c7 of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie1 or an obligation4 7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by subsections 7a7 and 7b7 shall apply with respect to payments made on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #aab4 ,automatic referral to congressional ethics committees of disposition of certain claims alleging violations of ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie involving ,members of ,congress and senior staff ,section #daf7;e7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adaf7;e77 is amended to read as follows3 7e7 ,automatic referrals to ,congressional ,ethics ,committees of dispositions of claims involving ,members of ,congress and senior staff 7#a7 ,referral ,upon the final disposition under this title 7as described in paragraph 7#d77 of a claim alleging a violation described in section #dae7;d77#a77;,b7 which consists of an act committed personally by a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives 7including a ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to the ,congress7 or a ,senator1 or by a senior staffer of an employing office of the ,house of ,representatives or ,senate1 the ,executive ,director shall refer the claim to-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,ethics of the ,house of ,representatives1 in the case of a ,member or senior staffer of the ,house 7including a ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to the ,congress72 or 7,b7 the ,select ,committee on ,ethics of the ,senate1 in the case of a ,senator or senior staffer of the ,senate4 7#b7 ,access to records and information ,if the ,executive ,director refers a claim to a ,committee under paragraph 7#a71 the ,executive ,director shall provide the ,committee with access to the records of any investigations1 hearings1 findings1 or decisions of the hearing officers1 the ,board1 or the ,general ,counsel1 under this title1 and any information relating to an award or settlement paid1 in response to such claim4 7#c7 ,protection of personally identifiable information ,if a ,committee to which a claim is referred under paragraph 7#a7 issues a report with respect to the claim1 the ,committee shall ensure that the report does not directly disclose the identity or position of the individual who filed the claim4 7#d7 ,final disposition described ,in this subsection1 the final disposition of a claim means any of the following3 7,a7 ,an order or agreement to pay an award or settlement1 including an agreement reached pursuant to mediation under section #djd4 7,b7 ,a final decision of a hearing officer under section #dje7;g74 7,c7 ,a final decision of the ,board under section #djf7;e74 7,d7 ,a final decision in a civil action under section #djh4 7#e7 ,senior staffer defined ,in this subsection1 the term senior staffer means any individual who1 at the time a violation occurred1 was required to file a report under title ,i of the ,ethics in ,government ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app474 4 #aac4 ,availability of remote work assignment or paid leave of absence during pendency of procedures 7a7 ,in general ,title ,,iv 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adja et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #dag4 ,availability of remote work assignment or paid leave of absence during pendency of procedures 7a7 ,options for employees 7#a7 ,remote work assignment ,at the request of a covered employee who files a claim alleging a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii by the covered employee's employing office1 during the pendency of any of the procedures available under this title for consideration of the claim1 the employing office may permit the covered employee to carry out the employee's responsibilities from a remote location instead of from a location of the employing office4 7#b7 ,exception for work assignments required to be carried out onsite ,if1 in the determination of the covered employee's employing office1 a covered employee who makes a request under this subsection cannot carry out the employee's responsibilities from a remote location1 the employing office may grant paid leave of absence to a covered employee during the pendency of the procedures available under this title for the covered employee4 7#c7 ,ensuring no retaliation ,an employing office may not respond to a covered employee's request under this subsection in a manner which would constitute a violation of section #bjg4 7b7 ,exception for arrangements subject to collective bargaining agreements ,subsection 7a7 does not apply to the extent that it is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of any collective bargaining agreement which is in effect with respect to an employing office4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title ,,iv the following new item3 ,sec4 #dag4 ,availability of remote work assignment or paid leave of absence during pendency of procedures4 4 #aad4 ,modification of rules on confidentiality of proceedings 7a7 ,claims and investigations ,section #daf7;a7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adaf7;a77 is amended to read as follows3 7a7 ,claims and investigations ,information relating to the filing of a claim under section #djb and the investigation of a claim under section #djc shall be confidential4 ,nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit a covered employee or an employing office from disclosing any information related to the claim 7including information related to the defense of the claim7 in the course of any proceeding under this title4 4 7b7 ,mediation ,section #daf7;b7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adaf7;b77 is amended by striking ,all mediation and inserting ,all information discussed or disclosed in the course of any mediation4 #aae4 ,reimbursement by other employing offices of legislative branch of payments of certain awards and settlements 7a7 ,requiring reimbursement ,section #dae 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adae71 as amended by section #aaa1 is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7e7 ,reimbursement by employing offices 7#a7 ,notification of payments made from account ,as soon as practicable after the ,executive ,director is made aware that a payment of an award or settlement under this ,act has been made from the account described in subsection 7a7 in connection with a claim alleging a violation described in section #djb7;b77#b77;,b7 by an employing office 7other than an employing office of the ,house of ,representatives or an employing office of the ,senate71 the ,executive ,director shall notify the head of the employing office associated with the claim that the payment has been made1 and shall include in the notification a statement of the amount of the payment4 7#b7 ,reimbursement by office ,not later than #ahj days after receiving a notification from the ,executive ,director under paragraph 7#a71 the head of the employing office involved shall transfer to the account described in subsection 7a71 out of any funds available for operating expenses of the office1 a payment equal to the amount specified in the notification4 7#c7 ,timetable and procedures for reimbursement ,the head of an employing office shall transfer a payment under paragraph 7#b7 in accordance with such timetable and procedures as may be established under regulations promulgated by the ,office4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to payments made under section #dae of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adae7 on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,,ii ,improving ,operations of ,office of ,compliance #bja4 ,reports on claims1 awards1 and settlements 7a7 ,semiannual reports on claims1 awards1 and settlements 7#a7 ,requiring submission and publication of reports ,section #cja 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acha7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7h77#c71 by striking complaint each place it appears and inserting claim2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7l7 ,semiannual reports on claims1 awards1 and settlements 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #de days after the first #f-month period of each calendar year1 and not later than #de days after the next #f-month period of each calendar year1 the ,office shall submit to ,congress and publish on the ,office's public website a report listing each award or settlement which was paid during the previous two #f-month periods from the account described in section #dae7;a7 as the result of a claim alleging a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii1 including the employing office involved1 the amount of the award or settlement1 the provision of part ,a of title ,,ii which was the subject of the claim1 and 7in the case of an award or settlement resulting from a violation described in section #dae7;d77#a77;,b7 which was committed personally by a ,member or former ,member of ,congress71 whether the ,member or former ,member is in compliance with the requirement of section #dae7;d7 to reimburse the account for the amount of the award or settlement4 7#b7 ,protection of identity of individuals receiving awards and settlements ,in preparing and submitting the reports required under paragraph 7#a71 the ,office shall ensure that the identity or position of any individual who received an award or settlement1 or who made an allegation of a violation against an employing office1 is not disclosed4 4 7#b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by paragraph 7#a7 shall apply with respect to #bjah and each succeeding year4 7b7 ,report on amounts previously paid 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,office of ,compliance shall submit to ,congress and make available to the public on the ,office's public website a report on all payments made with public funds prior to the date of the enactment of this ,act for awards and settlements in connection with violations of section #bja7;a7 of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acaa7;a771 and shall include in the report the following information3 7,a7 ,the amount paid for each such award or settlement4 7,b7 ,the source of the public funds used for the award or settlement1 without regard to whether the funds were paid from the account described in section #dae7;a7 of such ,act 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adae7;a771 an account of the ,house of ,representatives or ,senate1 or any other account of the ,federal ,government4 7#b7 ,rule of construction regarding identification of ,house and ,senate accounts ,nothing in paragraph 7#a77;,b7 may be construed to require or permit the ,office of ,compliance to report the account of any specific office of the ,house of ,representatives or ,senate as the source of funds used for an award or settlement4 #bjb4 ,workplace climate surveys of employing offices 7a7 ,requiring surveys ,title ,,iii 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acha et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #cjg4 ,workplace climate surveys of employing offices 7a7 ,requirement ,to conduct surveys ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this section1 and every #b years thereafter1 the ,office shall conduct a survey of employing offices under this ,act regarding the workplace environment of such offices4 7b7 ,special inclusion of information on sexual harassment ,in each survey conducted under this section1 the ,office shall survey respondents on attitudes regarding sexual harassment4 7c7 ,methodology 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,office shall conduct each survey under this section in accordance with methodologies established by the ,office4 7#b7 ,confidentiality ,under the methodologies established under paragraph 7#a71 all responses to all portions of the survey shall be anonymous and confidential1 and each respondent shall be told throughout the survey that all responses shall be anonymous and confidential4 7d7 ,use of results of surveys ,the ,office shall furnish the information obtained from the surveys conducted under this section to the ,committee on ,house ,administration of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate4 7e7 ,consultation with ,committees ,the ,office shall carry out this section1 including establishment of methodologies and procedures under subsection 7c71 in consultation with the ,committee on ,house ,administration of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate4 7f7 ,inclusion of ,library of ,congress ,for purposes of this section1 the ,library of ,congress shall be considered an employing office4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title ,,iii the following new item3 ,sec4 #cjg4 ,workplace climate surveys of employing offices4 4 #bjc4 ,record retention ,section #cja 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acha71 as amended by section #bja7;a71 is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7m7 ,record retention ,the ,office shall establish and maintain a program for the permanent retention of its records1 including the records of investigations1 mediations1 hearings1 and other proceedings conducted under this ,act4 4 #bjd4 ,,gao study of management practices 7a7 ,study ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct a study of the management practices of the ,office of ,compliance4 7b7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to ,congress a report on the study conducted under subsection 7a71 and shall include in the report such recommendations as the ,comptroller ,general considers appropriate for improvements to the management practices of the ,office of ,compliance4 #bje4 ,,gao audit of cybersecurity 7a7 ,audit ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct an audit of the cybersecurity systems and practices of the ,office of ,compliance4 7b7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to ,congress a report on the audit conducted under subsection 7a71 and shall include in the report such recommendations as the ,comptroller ,general considers appropriate for improvements to the cybersecurity systems and practices of the ,office of ,compliance4 ,,iii ,miscellaneous ,reforms #cja4 ,extension to unpaid staff of rights and protections against employment discrimination 7a7 ,extension ,section #bja 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acaa7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7d7 as subsection 7e72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7c7 the following new subsection3 7d7 ,application to unpaid staff 7#a7 ,in general ,subsections 7a7 and 7b71 and section #bjg1 shall apply with respect to any staff of an employing office who carry out official duties of the employing office but who are not paid by the employing office for carrying out such duties1 including an intern1 an individual detailed to an employing office1 or an individual participating in a fellowship program 7including an applicant for an internship1 a detail position1 or a fellowship and a former intern1 detailee1 or fellow7 in the same manner and to the same extent as such subsections and section apply with respect to a covered employee4 7#b7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in paragraph 7#a7 may be construed to extend liability for a violation of subsection 7a7 or section #bjg to an employing office on the basis of an action taken by any person who is not under the supervision or control of the employing office4 7#c7 ,intern defined ,the term intern means an individual who performs service1 for an employing office1 which is uncompensated by the ,united ,states to earn credit awarded by an educational institution or to learn a trade or occupation1 and includes any individual participating in a page program operated by any ,house of ,congress4 4 7b7 ,technical correction relating to office responsible for disbursement of pay to ,house employees ,section #aja7g7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7g77 is amended by striking disbursed by the ,clerk of the ,house of ,representatives and inserting disbursed by the ,chief ,administrative ,officer of the ,house of ,representatives4 #cjb4 ,coverage of employees of ,library of ,congress 7a7 ,coverage for purposes of protections against workplace discrimination ,section #bja 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acaa71 as amended by section #cja7;a71 is further amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7e7 as subsection 7f72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7d7 the following new subsection3 7e7 ,coverage of ,library of ,congress ,for purposes of this section-- 7#a7 the ,library of ,congress shall be considered an employing office2 and 7#b7 the employees of the ,library of ,congress shall be considered covered employees4 4 7b7 ,availability of alternative grievance procedures ,section #dja 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adja71 as amended by section #aja7;a71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsections 7d7 and 7e7 as subsections 7e7 and 7f72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7c7 the following new subsection3 7d7 ,special rule for ,library of ,congress ,in the case of an employee of the ,library of ,congress1 the employee may use the alternative grievance procedures of the ,library of ,congress instead of the procedures under this title for consideration and resolution of an alleged violation of part ,a of title ,,ii1 except that if the employee files a claim as provided in section #djb with respect to the alleged violation1 the employee may not use any of such alternative grievance procedures for consideration and resolution of the alleged violation4 4 7c7 ,other conforming amendments 7#a7 ,civil ,rights ,act of #aifd ,section #gag7;a7 of the ,civil ,rights ,act of #aifd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjj;e-#af7;a77 is amended by striking ,smithsonian ,institution and all that follows through ,library of ,congress and inserting the following3 ,smithsonian ,institution1 and in the ,government ,publishing ,office and the ,government ,accountability ,office4 7#b7 ,age ,discrimination in ,employment ,act of #aifg ,section #ae of the ,age ,discrimination in ,employment ,act of #aifg 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #fcc;a7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking ,smithsonian ,institution and all that follows through ,library of ,congress and inserting the following3 ,smithsonian ,institution1 and in the ,government ,publishing ,office and the ,government ,accountability ,office2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7b71 by striking the last sentence4 7#c7 ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij ,section #eaj of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abbji7 is amended-- 7,a7 by amending the matter preceding paragraph 7#a7 to read as follows3 ,the ,government ,accountability ,office and the ,government ,publishing ,office shall be covered as follows32 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking section and all that follows and inserting the following3 section1 instrumentalities of the ,congress include the following3 the ,government ,accountability ,office and the ,government ,publishing ,office44 7d7 ,effective date 7#a7 ,in general ,the amendments made by subsections 7a7 and 7b7 shall apply with respect to claims alleging violations of part ,a of title ,,ii of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acaa et seq47 which are first made on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#b7 ,treatment of pending claims under existing procedures ,if1 as of the date of the enactment of this ,act1 an employee of the ,library of ,congress has or could have filed a charge or complaint pursuant to procedures of the ,library of ,congress which were available to the employee prior to such date for the resolution of a claim alleging a violation described in section #djb7;b77#b77;,b7 of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7including procedures applicable pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement71 the employee may complete1 or initiate and complete1 all such procedures1 and such procedures shall remain in effect with respect to1 and provide the exclusive procedures for1 that charge or complaint until the completion of all such procedures4 #cjc4 ,clarification of coverage of employees of ,stennis ,center and ,helsinki and ,china ,commissions 7a7 ,coverage of ,stennis ,center1 ,china ,review ,commission1 ,congressional-,executive ,china ,commission1 and ,helsinki ,commission 7#a7 ,treatment of employees as covered employees ,section #aja7c7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7c77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking or at the end of subparagraph 7,h72 7,b7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,i7 and inserting 2 or2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,j7 the ,john ,c4 ,stennis ,center for ,public ,service ,training and ,development2 7,k7 the ,china ,review ,commission2 7,l7 the ,congressional-,executive ,china ,commission2 and 7,m7 the ,helsinki ,commission4 4 7#b7 ,treatment of ,center and ,commissions as employing office ,section #aja7i77;,d7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7i77;,d77 is amended by striking and the ,office of ,technology ,assessment and inserting the following3 the ,office of ,technology ,assessment1 the ,john ,c4 ,stennis ,center for ,public ,service ,training and ,development1 the ,china ,review ,commission1 the ,congressional-,executive ,china ,commission1 and the ,helsinki ,commission44 7#c7 ,definitions of commissions ,section #aja 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ac7 ,china ,review ,commission ,the term ,china ,review ,commission means the ,united ,states-,china ,economic and ,security ,review ,commission established under section #abch of the ,floyd ,d4 ,spence ,national ,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year #bjja 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #gjjb71 as enacted into law by section #a of ,public ,law #ajf-cih4 7#ad7 ,congressional-,executive ,china ,commission ,the term ,congressional-,executive ,china ,commission means the ,congressional-,executive ,commission on the ,people's ,republic of ,china established under title ,,iii of the ,u4,s4-,china ,relations ,act of #bjjj 7,public ,law #ajf-bhf2 #bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fiaa et seq474 7#ae7 ,helsinki ,commission ,the term ,helsinki ,commission means the ,commission on ,security and ,cooperation in ,europe established under the ,act entitled ,an ,act to establish a ,commission on ,security and ,cooperation in ,europe1 approved ,june #c1 #aigf 7,public ,law #id-cjd2 #bb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjja et seq474 4 7b7 ,legal assistance and representation 7#a7 ,in general ,title ,v 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adca et seq47 is amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating section #eji as section #eaa2 and 7,b7 by inserting after section #ejh the following3 #eji4 ,legal assistance and representation ,legal assistance and representation under this ,act1 including assistance and representation with respect to the proposal or acceptance of the disposition of a claim under this ,act1 shall be provided to the ,china ,review ,commission1 the ,congressional-,executive ,china ,commission1 and the ,helsinki ,commission-- 7#a7 by the ,house ,employment ,counsel of the ,house of ,representatives1 in the case of assistance and representation in connection with a claim filed under title ,,iv 7including all subsequent proceedings under such title in connection with the claim7 at a time when the chair of the ,commission is a ,member of the ,house2 or 7#b7 by the ,senate ,chief ,counsel for ,employment of the ,senate1 in the case of assistance and representation in connection with a claim filed under title ,,iv 7including all subsequent proceedings under such title in connection with the claim7 at a time when the chair of the ,commission is a ,senator4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendments ,the table of contents is amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating the item relating to section #eji as relating to section #eaa2 and 7,b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #ejh the following new item3 ,sec4 #eji4 ,legal assistance and representation4 4 7c7 ,conforming ,amendments ,section #aja 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7 is amended1 in paragraphs 7#g7 and 7#h71 by striking through 7,i7 and inserting through 7,m74 7d7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie4 #cjd4 ,training and education programs of other employing offices 7a7 ,requiring offices ,to develop and implement programs ,title ,v 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adca et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #eji1 as added by section #cjc7;b71 the following new section3 #eaj4 ,training and education programs of employing offices 7a7 ,requiring offices ,to develop and implement programs ,each employing office shall develop and implement a program to train and educate covered employees of the office in the rights and protections provided under this ,act1 including the procedures available under this ,act to consider alleged violations of this ,act4 7b7 ,report to committees 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #de days after the beginning of each ,congress 7beginning with the ,one ,hundred ,sixteenth ,congress71 each employing office shall submit a report to the ,committee on ,house ,administration of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration of the ,senate on the implementation of the program required under subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,special rule for first report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie ,reform ,act1 each employing office shall submit the report described in paragraph 7#a7 to the ,committees described in such paragraph4 7c7 ,exception for offices of ,congress ,this section does not apply to an employing office of the ,house of ,representatives or an employing office of the ,senate4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #eji 7as amended by section #cjc7;b77#b77 the following new item3 ,sec4 #eaj4 ,training and education programs of employing offices4 4 #cje4 ,application of ,genetic ,information ,nondiscrimination ,act of #bjjh ,section #ajb 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acjb7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7c7 ,genetic ,information ,nondiscrimination ,act of #bjjh ,the provisions of this ,act that apply to a violation of section #bja7;a77#a7 shall be considered to apply to a violation of title ,,ii of the ,genetic ,information ,nondiscrimination ,act of #bjjh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjj;ff et seq471 consistent with section #bjg7;c7 of that ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjj;ff-#f7;c774 4 #cjf4 ,generally applicable remedies and limitations ,section #bbe 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acfa7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking subsection 7e72 and 7#b7 by redesignating subsection 7f7 as subsection 7e74 #cjg4 ,renaming ,office of ,compliance as ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights 7a7 ,renaming ,section #cja 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acha7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the title heading1 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7a71 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7b7 ,conforming amendments to ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie ,the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie is amended as follows3 7#a7 ,in section #aja7a7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7a771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#b7 ,in section #aja7b7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7b771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#c7 ,in section #aja7c77;,h7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7c77;,h771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#d7 ,in section #aja7i77;,d7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7i77;,d771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#e7 ,in section #aja7aj7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7aj771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#f7 ,in section #aja7aa7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7aa771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#g7 ,in section #aja7ab7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7ab771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#h7 ,in section #baj7;a77#i7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acca7;a77#i771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#i7 ,in section #bae7;e77#a7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acda7;e77#a771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#aj7 ,in section #bbj7;e77#b77;,g7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acea7;e77#b77;,g771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#aa7 ,in the heading of title ,,iii1 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#ab7 ,in section #cjd7;c77#d7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #achd7;c77#d771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#ac7 ,in section #cjd7;c77#e7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #achd7;c77#e771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7c7 ,clerical amendments ,the table of contents is amended-- 7#a7 by amending the item relating to the title heading of title ,,iii to read as follows3 ,title ,,iii--,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights 2 and 7#b7 by amending the item relating to section #cja to read as follows3 ,sec4 #cja4 ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 4 7d7 ,references in other laws1 rules1 and regulations ,any reference to the ,office of ,compliance in any law1 rule1 regulation1 or other official paper in effect as of the effective date of this ,act shall be considered to refer and apply to the ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 ,,iv ,effective ,date #dja4 ,effective date 7a7 ,in general ,except as otherwise provided in this ,act1 this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act shall take effect upon the expiration of the #ahj-;day period which begins on the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7b7 ,no effect on pending proceedings 7#a7 ,in general ,nothing in this ,act or the amendments made by this ,act may be construed to affect any proceeding under title ,,iv of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie which is pending as of the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#b7 ,treatment of pending claims under existing procedures ,if1 as of the date of the enactment of this ,act1 a covered employee 7as defined in section #aja of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7 on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act7 has filed a charge or complaint pursuant to procedures which were available to the employee prior to such date for the resolution of a claim alleging a violation described in section #djb7;b77#b77;,b7 of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7including procedures applicable pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement71 the covered employee may complete all such procedures1 and such procedures shall remain in effect with respect to1 and provide the exclusive procedures for1 that charge or complaint until the completion of all such procedures4