,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cgdi ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #ac1 #bjah ,ms4 ,klobuchar 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,blunt1 ,mr4 ,mc,connell1 and ,mr4 ,schumer7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice1 considered1 read the third time1 and passed ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie to reform the procedures provided under such ,act for the initiation1 review1 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 provided1 whenever 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 ,preliminary ,review1 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 ,preliminary review of claims by hearing officer4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,availability of mediation during process4 ,subtitle ,b--,other ,reforms ,sec4 #aaa4 ,requiring ,members of ,congress to reimburse ,treasury for amounts paid as settlements and awards in cases of acts 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 ,congressional ,workplace ,rights ,sec4 #bja4 ,reports on awards and settlements4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,workplace climate surveys of employing offices4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,record retention4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,confidential advisors4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,,gao study of management practices4 ,sec4 #bjf4 ,,gao audit of cybersecurity4 ,,title ,,iii--,miscellaneous ,reforms ,sec4 #cja4 ,application of ,genetic ,information ,nondiscrimination ,act of #bjjh4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,extension to unpaid staff of rights and protections against employment discrimination4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,clarification of treatment of ,library of ,congress visitors4 ,sec4 #cjd4 ,notices4 ,sec4 #cje4 ,clarification of coverage of employees of ,helsinki and ,china ,commissions4 ,sec4 #cjf4 ,training and education programs of other employing offices4 ,sec4 #cjg4 ,support for out-of-area covered employees4 ,sec4 #cjh4 ,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 ,preliminary ,review1 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 review of claims ,except as otherwise provided1 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 the preliminary review of the claim1 to be conducted by a hearing officer as provided in section #djc2 7#c7 mediation as provided in section #djd1 if requested and agreed to by the parties under that section2 and 7#d7 a formal hearing as provided in section #dje1 subject to ,board review as provided in section #djf and judicial review in the ,united ,states ,court of ,appeals for the ,federal ,circuit as provided in section #djg4 7b7 ,right of employee to file civil action 7#a7 ,civil action ,only a covered employee who has filed a claim timely as provided in section #djb and who has not submitted a request for a hearing on the claim pursuant to section #dje7;a7 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 violation alleged in the claim1 as provided in section #djh4 7#b7 ,effect of filing civil action ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#b71 7#c71 or 7#d7 of subsection 7a71 if the covered employee files such a civil action-- 7,a7 the preliminary review of the claim by the hearing officer as provided in section #djc 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 review of the claim by the hearing officer as provided in section #djc4 7#c7 ,period for filing civil action ,the period described in this paragraph with respect to a claim is the #gj-;day period which begins on the date the covered employee files the claim under section #djb4 7#d7 ,special rule for employees who fail to state a claim for which relief may be granted ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#c71 if a covered employee receives a written notice from the hearing officer under section #djc7;d77#b7 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 use the grievance procedures of the ,architect of the ,capitol or the ,capitol ,police for resolution of the employee's grievance for a specific period of time4 ,any deadline in this ,act relating to a claim for which the employee is using the grievance procedures1 that has not already passed by the first day of that specific period1 shall be stayed during that specific period4 7d7 ,election of remedies for ,library of ,congress 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,direct act ,the term direct ,act means an ,act 7other than this ,act71 or provision of the ,revised ,statutes1 that is specified in section #bja1 #bjb1 or #bjc4 7,b7 ,direct provision ,the term direct provision means a provision 7including a definitional provision7 of a direct ,act that applies the rights or protections of a direct ,act 7including rights and protections relating to nonretaliation or noncoercion7 to a ,library claimant4 7,c7 ,library claimant ,the term ,library claimant means1 with respect to a direct provision1 an employee of the ,library of ,congress who is covered by that direct provision4 7#b7 ,election after proceedings initially brought under this ,act ,a ,library claimant who initially files a claim for an alleged violation as provided in section #djb may1 at any time before the date that is #aj days after a hearing officer submits the report on the preliminary review of the claim under section #djc7;c71 elect to bring the claim for a proceeding before the corresponding ,federal agency under the corresponding direct provision1 instead of continuing with the procedures applicable to the claim under this title or filing a civil action in accordance with section #djh4 7#c7 ,election after proceedings initially brought under other civil rights or labor law ,a ,library claimant who initially brings a claim1 complaint1 or charge under a direct provision for a proceeding before a ,federal agency may1 prior to requesting a hearing under the agency's procedures1 elect to-- 7,a7 continue with the agency's procedures and preserve the option 7if any7 to bring any civil action relating to the claim1 complaint1 or charge1 that is available to the ,library claimant2 or 7,b7 file a claim with the ,office under section #djb and continue with the corresponding procedures of this title available and applicable to a covered employee4 7#d7 ,timing ,a ,library claimant who meets the initial deadline under section #djb7;d7 for filing a claim under this title1 or any initial deadline for bringing a claim1 complaint1 or charge under the applicable direct provision1 and then elects to change to alternative procedures as described in paragraph 7#b7 or 7#c77;,b71 shall be considered to meet any initial deadline for the alternative procedures4 7#e7 ,application ,this subsection shall take effect and shall apply as described in section #aec7;c7 of the ,legislative ,branch ,appropriations ,act1 #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-ada7 7except to the extent such section applies to any violation of section #baj or a provision of an ,act specified in section #baj74 7e7 ,rights of parties to retain private counsel ,nothing in this ,act may be construed to limit the authority of any individual 7including a covered employee1 the head of an employing office1 or an individual who is alleged to have committed personally an act which consists of a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii7 to retain counsel to protect the interests of the individual at any point during any of the procedures provided under this title for the consideration of an alleged violation of part ,a of title ,,ii1 including as provided under section #dae7;d77#h7 with respect to individuals subject to a reimbursement requirement of section #dae7;d74 7f7 ,standards for assertions made by parties ,any party in any of the procedures provided under this title1 as well as any counsel or other person representing a party in any of such procedures1 shall have an obligation to ensure that1 to the best of the party'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 party 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 review 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 7g7 ,procedure ,nothing in this ,act shall be construed to supersede or limit section #bbe7;d77#b74 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment relating to civil action ,section #djh7;a7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adjh7;a77 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 ,other conforming amendments to title ,,iv ,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 7d7 ,miscellaneous conforming amendment ,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 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 ,claim 7#a7 ,filing of claim ,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 ,office shall not accept a claim which is filed after the deadline applicable under subsection 7d74 7#b7 ,contents of claim ,the claim filed under this section shall be made in writing under oath or affirmation1 shall describe the facts that form the basis of the claim and the violation that is being alleged1 shall identify the employing office alleged to have committed the violation or in which the violation is alleged to have occurred1 and shall be in such form as the ,office requires4 7#c7 ,no effect on ability of covered employee to seek information from ,office or pursue relief ,nothing in paragraph 7#b71 or subsection 7b7 or 7c71 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 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 each party with all relevant information with respect to the rights of the party under this ,act1 and shall transmit immediately a copy of the claim to the head of the employing office and the designated representative of that office4 7#b7 ,special notification requirements for claims based on acts 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 a violation described in section #dae7;d77#a77;,a7 by an individual1 upon the filing of the claim under subsection 7a71 the ,office shall notify immediately such individual of the claim1 the possibility that the individual may be required to reimburse the account described in section #dae7;a7 for the reimbursable portion of any award or settlement in connection with the claim1 and the right of the individual under section #dae7;d77#h7 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 harassment that is unlawful under section #bja7;a7 or #bjf7;a72 or 7ii7 intimidation1 reprisal1 or discrimination that is unlawful under section #bjg and is taken against a covered employee because of a claim alleging a violation described in clause 7i74 7c7 ,use of secure electronic reporting and tracking system 7#a7 ,establishment and operation of secure system ,the ,office shall establish and operate a secure electronic reporting 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 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 ,preliminary review of claims by hearing officer 7a7 ,preliminary review described ,title ,,iv 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adja et seq471 as amended by section #aja7;c71 is further amended by inserting after section #djb the following new section3 #djc4 ,preliminary review of claims 7a7 ,preliminary review by hearing officer 7#a7 ,appointment ,not later than #g days after transmission to the employing office of a claim pursuant to section #djb7;b71 the ,executive ,director shall appoint a hearing officer to conduct a preliminary review of the claim4 7#b7 ,process for appointment ,the ,executive ,director shall appoint a hearing officer under this subsection in the same manner and in accordance with the same requirements and procedures applicable to the appointment of a hearing officer under section #dje7;c74 7b7 ,assessments required ,in conducting a preliminary review of a claim under this section1 the hearing officer shall assess each of the following3 7#a7 ,whether the claimant is a covered employee authorized to obtain relief relating to the claim under this title4 7#b7 ,whether the office which is the subject of the claim is an employing office under this ,act4 7#c7 ,whether the individual filing the claim has met the applicable deadlines for filing the claim under this title4 7#d7 ,the identification of factual and legal issues involved with respect to the claim4 7#e7 ,the specific relief sought by the individual4 7#f7 ,whether1 on the basis of the assessments made under paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#e71 the individual filing the claim is a covered employee who has stated a claim for which1 if the allegations contained in the claim are true1 relief may be granted under this title4 7#g7 ,the potential for the settlement of the claim without a formal hearing as provided under section #dje or a civil action as provided under section #djh4 7c7 ,report on review 7#a7 ,report ,not later than #cj days after a claim is filed under section #djb1 the hearing officer shall submit to the individual filing the claim and the office which is the subject of the claim a report on the preliminary review conducted under this section1 and shall include in the report the hearing officer's determination as to whether the individual is a covered employee who has stated a claim for which relief may be granted under this title 7as described in paragraph 7#f7 of subsection 7b774 ,the submission of the report shall conclude the preliminary review4 7#b7 ,extension of deadline ,the hearing officer may 7upon notice to the individual filing the claim and the employing office which is the subject of the claim7 use an additional period of not to exceed #cj days to conclude the preliminary review4 7d7 ,effect of determination of failure to state claim for which relief may be granted ,if the hearing officer's report on the preliminary review of a claim under subsection 7c7 includes the determination that the individual filing the claim is not a covered employee or has not stated a claim for which relief may be granted under this title-- 7#a7 the individual 7including an individual who is a ,library claimant1 as defined in section #dja7;d77#a77 may not obtain a formal hearing with respect to the claim as provided under section #dje2 and 7#b7 the hearing officer shall provide the individual and the ,executive ,director with a written notice that the individual may file a civil action with respect to the claim in accordance with section #djh4 7e7 ,transmission of report on preliminary review of certain claims to ,congressional ,ethics ,committees ,in the case of a hearing officer's report under subsection 7c7 on the preliminary review of a claim alleging a violation described in section #dae7;d77#a77;,a71 the hearing officer shall transmit the report to-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,ethics of the ,house of ,representatives1 in the case of such an act by a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives 7including a ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to the ,congress72 or 7#b7 the ,select ,committee on ,ethics of the ,senate1 in the case of such an act by a ,senator4 4 7b7 ,deadline for requesting hearing after preliminary review ,section #dje7;a7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adje7;a77 is amended to read as follows3 7a7 ,requirement for hearings to commence in ,office 7#a7 ,hearing required upon request ,if1 not later than #aj days after a hearing officer submits the report on the preliminary review of a claim under section #djc7;c71 a covered employee submits a request to the ,executive ,director for a hearing under this section1 the ,executive ,director shall appoint an independent hearing officer pursuant to subsection 7c7 to consider the claim and render a decision1 and a hearing shall be commenced in the ,office4 7#b7 ,exceptions ,paragraph 7#a7 does not apply with respect to the claim if-- 7,a7 the hearing officer's report on the preliminary review of the claim under section #djc7;c7 includes the determination that the individual filing the claim is not a covered employee who has stated a claim for which relief may be granted under this title 7as described in section #djc7;d772 or 7,b7 the covered employee files a civil action as provided in section #djh with respect to the claim4 4 7c7 ,prohibiting hearing officer conducting preliminary review from conducting hearing ,section #dje7;c7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adje7;c77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,prohibiting hearing officer conducting preliminary review from conducting hearing ,the ,executive ,director may not appoint a hearing officer to conduct a hearing under this section with respect to a claim if the hearing officer conducted the preliminary review with respect to the claim under section #djc4 4 7d7 ,deadline for commencement of hearing2 permitting additional time ,section #dje7;d7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adje7;d77 is amended by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting the following3 7#b7 commenced no later than #ij days after the ,executive ,director receives the covered employee's request for the hearing under subsection 7a71 except that1 upon mutual agreement of the parties or for good cause1 the ,office shall extend the time for commencing a hearing for not more than an additional #cj days2 and 4 7e7 ,other conforming amendments relating to hearings conducted by ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights ,section #dje 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adje7 is amended as follows3 7#a7 ,in the heading1 by striking ,complaint and4 7#b7 ,in subsection 7c77#a71 by striking complaint and inserting request for a hearing under subsection 7a74 7#c7 ,in subsection 7d7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking complaint and inserting claim4 7#d7 ,in subsection 7g71 by striking complaint and inserting claim4 7f7 ,other conforming amendment ,the heading of section #dad 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adad7 is amended by striking of complaints4 7g7 ,clerical amendments ,the table of contents1 as amended by section #aja7;e71 is further amended as follows3 7#a7 ,by inserting after the item relating to section #djb the following new item3 ,sec4 #djc4 ,preliminary review 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 process 7a7 ,availability of 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 7#a7 ,notification regarding mediation 7,a7 ,covered employee ,upon receipt of a claim under section #djb1 the ,office shall notify the covered employee who filed the claim about the process for mediation under this section and the deadlines applicable to such mediation4 7,b7 ,employing office ,upon transmission to the employing office of the claim pursuant to section #djb7;b71 the ,office shall notify the employing office about the process for mediation under this section and the deadlines applicable to such mediation4 7#b7 ,initiation 7,a7 ,in general ,during the period described in subparagraph 7,b71 either the covered employee who filed a claim under section #djb or the employing office named in the claim may file a request for mediation with the ,office1 which shall promptly notify the other party4 ,if the other party agrees to the request1 the ,office shall promptly assign a mediator to the claim1 and conduct mediation under this section4 7,b7 ,timing ,a covered employee or an employing office may file a request for mediation under subparagraph 7,a7 during the period beginning on the date that the covered employee or employing office1 respectively1 receives a notification under paragraph 7#a7 regarding a claim under section #djb and ending on the date on which a hearing officer issues a written decision relating to the claim under section #dje7;g7 or the covered employee files a civil action with respect to the claim in accordance with section #djh1 as applicable4 7#c7 ,failure to request or accept mediation to have no effect on treatment of claim ,the failure of a party to request mediation under this section with respect to a claim1 or the failure of a party to agree to a request for mediation under this section1 may not be taken into consideration under any procedure under this title with respect to the claim1 including a preliminary review under section #djc1 a formal hearing under section #dje1 or a civil action under section #djh4 4 7b7 ,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 any of the parties1 the parties shall be separated14 7c7 ,period of mediation ,section #djd7;c7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adjc7;c771 as redesignated by section #aja7;c71 is amended by striking the first #b sentences and inserting the following3 ,the mediation period shall be #cj days1 beginning on the first day after the second party agrees to the request for the mediation4 ,the mediation period may be extended for one additional period of #cj days at the joint request of the covered employee and employing office4 ,any deadline in this ,act relating to a claim for which mediation has been agreed to in this section1 that has not already passed by the first day of the mediation period1 shall be stayed during the mediation period44 ,b ,other ,reforms #aaa4 ,requiring ,members of ,congress to reimburse ,treasury for amounts paid as settlements and awards in cases of acts 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 ,subject to subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,d71 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,c7 committed personally by an individual who1 at the time of committing the violation1 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 settlement for the claim involved4 7,b7 ,conditions ,in the case of an award made pursuant to a decision of a hearing officer under section #dje1 or a court in a civil action1 subparagraph 7,a7 shall apply only if the hearing officer or court makes a separate finding that a violation described in subparagraph 7,c7 occurred which was committed personally by an individual who1 at the time of committing the violation1 was a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives 7including a ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to the ,congress7 or a ,senator1 and such individual shall reimburse the account for the amount of compensatory damages included in the award as would be available if awarded under section #aigg;,a7b77#c7 of the ,revised ,statutes 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aiha;a7b77#c77 irrespective of the size of the employing office4 ,in the case of a settlement for a claim described in section #daf7;d77#c71 subparagraph 7,a7 shall apply only if the conditions specified in section #daf7;d77#c7 for requesting reimbursement are met4 7,c7 ,violations described ,a violation described in this subparagraph is-- 7i7 harassment that is unlawful under section #bja7;a7 or #bjf7;a72 or 7ii7 intimidation1 reprisal1 or discrimination that is unlawful under section #bjg and is taken against a covered employee because of a claim alleging a violation described in clause 7i74 7,d7 ,multiple claims ,if an award or settlement is made for multiple claims1 some of which do not require reimbursement under this subsection1 the individual described in subparagraph 7,a7 shall only be required to reimburse for the amount 7referred to in this ,act as the reimbursable portion7 that is-- 7i7 described in subparagraph 7,a71 subject to subparagraph 7,b72 and 7ii7 included in the portion of the award or settlement attributable to a claim requiring reimbursement4 7#b7 ,withholding amounts from compensation 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 making any deposit required under section #hdcb7;f7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code7 such amounts as may be necessary to reimburse the account described in subsection 7a7 for the reimbursable portion of the 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 term 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 that 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 subject to a reimbursement requirement of this subsection has not reimbursed the account for the entire reimbursable portion as required under paragraph 7#a71 withholding and transfers of amounts shall continue under paragraph 7#b7 if the individual remains employed in the same position1 and the ,executive ,director of the ,federal ,retirement ,thrift ,investment ,board shall make a transfer described in subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,transfers ,the transfer by such ,executive ,director is 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 amount of that reimbursable portion of the award or settlement1 reduced by-- 7i7 any amount the individual has reimbursed1 taking into account any amounts withheld under paragraph 7#b72 and 7ii7 if the individual remains employed in the same position1 any amount that the individual is scheduled to reimburse1 taking into account any amounts to be withheld under the individual's timetable under paragraph 7#b74 7,c7 ,initiation of transfer ,notwithstanding section #hdce of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,executive ,director described in subparagraph 7,a7 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 ,director4 7,d7 ,coordination between payroll administrator and the ,executive ,director ,the payroll administrator and the ,executive ,director described in subparagraph 7,a7 shall carry out this paragraph in a manner that ensures the coordination of the withholding and transferring of amounts under this paragraph1 in accordance with regulations promulgated by the ,board under section #cjc and such ,executive ,director4 7#d7 ,administrative wage garnishment or other collection of wages from a subsequent position 7,a7 ,individual subject to garnishment or other collection ,subparagraph 7,b7 shall apply to an individual who is subject to a reimbursement requirement of this subsection if1 at any time after the expiration of the #bgj-;day period that 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 the individual-- 7i7 has not reimbursed the account for the entire reimbursable portion as required under paragraph 7#a71 through withholdings or transfers under paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c72 7ii7 is not serving in a position as a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives or a ,senator2 and 7iii7 is employed in a subsequent non-,federal position4 7,b7 ,garnishment or other collection of wages ,on the expiration of that #bgj-;day period1 the amount of the reimbursable portion of an award or settlement described in paragraph 7#a7 7reduced by any amount the individual has reimbursed1 taking into account any amounts withheld or transferred under paragraph 7#b7 or 7#c77 shall be treated as a claim of the ,united ,states and transferred to the ,secretary of the ,treasury for collection4 ,upon that transfer1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury shall collect the claim1 in accordance with section #cgaa of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 including by administrative wage garnishment of the wages of the individual described in subparagraph 7,a7 from the position described in subparagraph 7,a77iii74 ,the ,secretary of the ,treasury shall transfer the collected amount to the account described in subsection 7a74 7#e7 ,notification to ,office of ,personnel ,management and ,secretary of the ,treasury 7,a7 ,individual subject to annuity or social security withholding ,subparagraph 7,b7 shall apply to an individual subject to a reimbursement requirement of this subsection if1 at any time after the expiration of the #bgj-;day period described in paragraph 7#d77;,a71 the individual-- 7i7 has not served in a position as a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives or a ,senator during the preceding #ij days2 and 7ii7 is not employed in a subsequent non-,federal position4 7,b7 ,annuity or social security withholding ,if1 at any time after the #bgj-;day period described in paragraph 7#d77;,a71 the individual described in subparagraph 7,a7 has not reimbursed the account described in subsection 7a7 for the entire reimbursable portion of the award or settlement described in paragraph 7#a7 7as determined by the ,secretary of the ,treasury71 through withholdings1 transfers1 or collections under paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#d71 the ,secretary of the ,treasury 7after consultation with the payroll administrator7-- 7i7 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 remainder of the reimbursable portion of an award or settlement described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7ii7 shall 7if necessary71 notwithstanding section #bjg of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djg71 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 remainder of the reimbursable portion of an award or settlement described in paragraph 7#a74 7#f7 ,coordination between ,,opm and ,treasury ,the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management and the ,secretary of the ,treasury shall carry out paragraph 7#e7 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#g7 ,certification ,once the ,executive ,director determines that an individual who is subject to a reimbursement requirement of this subsection has reimbursed the account described in subsection 7a7 for the entire reimbursable portion1 the ,executive ,director shall prepare a certification that the individual has completed that reimbursement1 and submit the certification to-- 7,a7 the ,committees on ,house ,administration and ,ethics of the ,house of ,representatives1 in the case of an individual who1 at the time of committing the act involved1 was a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives 7including a ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to the ,congress72 and 7,b7 the ,select ,committee on ,ethics of the ,senate1 in the case of an individual who1 at the time of committing the act involved1 was a ,senator4 7#h7 ,right to intervene ,an individual who is subject to a reimbursement requirement of this subsection shall have the unconditional right to intervene in any mediation1 hearing1 or civil action under this title 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 that is separate from any other deposition taken from the employee in connection with the hearing or civil action4 7#i7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,non-,federal position ,the term non-,federal position means a position other than the position of an employee1 as defined in section #baje7;a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 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 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #hdcg7;e77#c7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting an obligation of the ,executive ,director to make a transfer under section #dae7;d77#c7 of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adae7;d77#c771 before or an obligation4 7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by subsections 7a7 and 7b7 shall apply with respect to claims 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 referral to ,congressional ,ethics ,committee 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#f77 of a claim alleging a violation described in section #dae7;d77#a77;,c7 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 staff 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 staff of the ,house2 or 7,b7 the ,select ,committee on ,ethics of the ,senate1 in the case of a ,senator or senior staff 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 preliminary reviews1 hearings1 or decisions of the hearing officers and the ,board under this ,act1 and any information relating to an award or settlement paid1 in response to such claim4 7#c7 ,review by ,senate ethics committee of settlements of certain claims ,after the receipt of a settlement agreement for a claim that includes an allegation of a violation described in section #dae7;d77#a77;,c7 committed personally by a ,senator1 the ,select ,committee on ,ethics of the ,senate shall-- 7,a7 not later than #ij days after that receipt1 review the settlement agreement2 7,b7 determine whether an investigation of the claim is warranted2 and 7,c7 if the ,select ,committee determines1 after the investigation1 that the claim that resulted in the settlement involved an actual violation described in section #dae7;d77#a77;,c7 committed personally by the ,senator1 then the ,select ,committee shall notify the ,executive ,director to request the reimbursement described in section #dae7;d7 and include the settlement in the report required by section #cja7l74 7#d7 ,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#e7 ,committee authority to protect identity of a claimant 7,a7 ,authority ,if a ,committee to which a claim is referred under paragraph 7#a7 issues a report as described in paragraph 7#d7 concerning a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives 7including a ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to the ,congress7 or a ,senator1 or a senior staff of the ,house of ,representatives or ,senate1 the ,committee may make an appropriate redaction to the information or data included in the report if the ,chairman and ,vice ,chairman of the ,committee reach agreement-- 7i7 that including the information or data considered for redaction may lead to the unintentional disclosure of the identity or position of a claimant2 and 7ii7 on the precise information or data to be redacted4 7,b7 ,notation and statement ,the report including any such redaction shall note each redaction and include a statement that the redaction was made solely for the purpose of avoiding such an unintentional disclosure of the identity or position of a claimant4 7,c7 ,retention of reports ,the ,committee making a redaction in accordance with this paragraph shall retain a copy of the report1 without a redaction4 7#f7 ,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;g7 that is no longer subject to review by the ,board under section #djf4 7,c7 ,a final decision of the ,board under section #djf7;e7 that is no longer subject to appeal to the ,united ,states ,court of ,appeals for the ,federal ,circuit under section #djg4 7,d7 ,a final decision in a civil action under section #djh that is no longer subject to appeal4 7#g7 ,senior staff defined ,in this subsection1 the term senior staff 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 ,app4 #aja et seq474 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 ,option to request 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 7referred to in this section as permitting a remote work assignment7 where such relocation would have the effect of materially reducing interactions between the covered employee and any person alleged to have committed the violation1 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 location or such relocation would not have the effect described in paragraph 7#a71 the employing office may during the pendency of the procedures described in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 grant a paid leave of absence to the covered employee2 7,b7 permit a remote work assignment and grant a paid leave of absence to the covered employee2 or 7,c7 make another workplace adjustment1 or permit a remote work assignment1 that would have the effect of reducing interactions between the covered employee and any person alleged to have committed the violation described in paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,ensuring no retaliation ,an employing office may not grant a covered employee's request under this subsection in a manner which would constitute a violation of section #bjg4 7#d7 ,no impact on vacation or personal leave ,in granting leave for a paid leave of absence under this section1 an employing office shall not require the covered employee to substitute1 for that leave1 any of the accrued paid vacation or personal leave of the covered employee4 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 ,option to request remote work assignment or paid leave of absence during pendency of procedures4 4 #aad4 ,modification of rules on confidentiality of proceedings 7a7 ,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 7b7 ,claims ,section #daf 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adaf71 as amended by section #aab and subsection 7a7 of this section1 is further amended-- 7#a7 by striking subsection 7a72 7#b7 by redesignating subsections 7b7 through 7f7 as subsections 7a7 through 7e71 respectively2 7#c7 in subsection 7b71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#b7 of this subsection1 by striking subsections 7d71 7e71 and 7f7 and inserting subsections 7c71 7d71 and 7e72 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following3 7f7 ,claims ,nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit a covered employee from disclosing the factual allegations underlying the covered employee's claim1 or to prohibit an employing office from disclosing the factual allegations underlying the employing office's defense to the claim1 in the course of any proceeding under this title4 4 #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 of section #bja7;a7 or #bjf7;a7 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 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 for claims filed on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,,ii ,improving ,operations of ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights #bja4 ,reports on awards and settlements 7a7 ,annual reports on awards 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 ,annual reports on awards and settlements 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to the rules issued by the applicable committee pursuant to paragraph 7#b73 7,a7 ,requirement ,the ,office shall prepare and submit to ,congress1 and publish on the public website of the ,office1 an annual report regarding payments from the account described in section #dae7;a7 that were the result of claims alleging a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii 7referred to in this subsection as covered payments74 7,b7 ,reporting ,the reporting required under this paragraph shall-- 7i7 for a covered payment1 or the reimbursable portion of a covered payment1 described in paragraph 7#b71 conform to the requirements of the rules issued by the applicable committee under such paragraph2 and 7ii7 for a covered payment1 or the portion of a covered payment1 not described in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,i7 include the amount of the covered payment or portion of the covered payment and information on the employing office involved2 and 7,,ii7 identify each provision of part ,a of title ,,ii that was the subject of a claim resulting in the covered payment or portion of the covered payment4 7,c7 ,reporting periods and dates ,the reporting required under this paragraph-- 7i7 for #bjai1 shall be submitted by the #fjth day after the date on which the committees described in paragraph 7#b7 issue the rules described in paragraph 7#b7 and shall reflect covered payments made in calendar year #bjai2 and 7ii7 for #bjbj and each subsequent calendar year1 shall be submitted by ,january #ca of that year and shall reflect covered payments made in the previous calendar year4 7#b7 ,rules regarding reporting of covered payments for employing offices of the house and employing offices of the senate 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this subsection1 the ,committee on ,house ,administration of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration of the ,senate shall each issue rules establishing the content1 format1 and other requirements for the reporting required under paragraph 7#a77;,b77i7 with respect to-- 7i7 any covered payment made for claims involving an employing office described in any of subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,c7 of section #aja7;a77#i7 of the ,house of ,representatives or of the ,senate1 respectively2 and 7ii7 the reimbursable portion of any such covered payment for which there is a finding requiring reimbursement under section #dae7;d77#a77;,b7 from a ,member of the ,house of ,representatives 7including a ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to the ,congress7 or a ,senator1 respectively4 7,b7 ,applicability ,the rules issued under subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by the ,committee on ,house ,administration of the ,house of ,representatives shall apply to covered payments made for claims involving employing offices described in subparagraph 7,a77i7 of the ,house2 and 7ii7 by the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration of the ,senate shall apply to covered payments made for claims involving employing offices described in subparagraph 7,a77i7 of the ,senate4 7#c7 ,protection of identity of individuals receiving awards and settlements ,in preparing1 submitting1 and publishing the reports required under paragraph 7#a71 the ,office shall ensure that the identity or position of any claimant is not disclosed4 7#d7 ,authority to protect the identity of a claimant 7,a7 ,in general ,in carrying out paragraph 7#c71 the ,executive ,director1 in consultation with the ,board1 may make an appropriate redaction to the data included in the report described in paragraph 7#a7 if the ,executive ,director1 in consultation with the ,board1 determines that including the data considered for redaction may lead to the identity or position of a claimant unintentionally being disclosed4 ,the report shall note each redaction and include a statement that the redaction was made solely for the purpose of avoiding such an unintentional disclosure of the identity or position of a claimant4 7,b7 ,recordkeeping ,the ,executive ,director shall retain a copy of the report described in paragraph 7#a71 without redactions4 7#e7 ,definition ,in this subsection1 the term claimant means an individual who received an award or settlement1 or who made an allegation of a violation against an employing office1 under part ,a of title ,,ii4 4 7#b7 ,effective date ,the amendment made by paragraph 7#a77;,b7 shall take effect on ,january #a1 #bjai4 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 ,congressional ,workplace ,rights 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 7to include funds paid from the account described in section #dae7;a7 of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adae7;a771 an account of the ,house of ,representatives or ,senate1 or any other account of the ,federal ,government7 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 or section #bjg of such ,act 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acag71 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 settlement4 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 ,congressional ,workplace ,rights 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 7c7 ,rulemaking powers ,section #eja 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adca7 is amended in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a7 by inserting 1 section #cja7l71 before and #cjd7;c74 #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 secure 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 secure survey of employing offices under this ,act regarding the workplace environment of such offices4 ,employee responses to the survey shall be voluntary4 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 7#c7 ,survey form ,the ,office shall limit the use of any information code or information on the survey form that makes a respondent to the survey1 or the respondent's employing office1 individually identifiable4 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 ,committees on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs and ,rules and ,administration 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 ,committees on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs and ,rules and ,administration of the ,senate4 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 preliminary reviews1 mediations1 hearings1 and other proceedings conducted under title ,,iv4 4 #bjd4 ,confidential advisors ,section #cjb 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #achb7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsections 7d7 through 7f7 as subsections 7e7 through 7g71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7c7 the following3 7d7 ,confidential advisors 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,executive ,director shall-- 7,a7 appoint1 and fix the compensation of1 and may remove1 #a or more confidential advisors to carry out the duties described in this subsection2 or 7,b7 designate #a or more employees of the ,office to serve as a confidential advisor4 7#b7 ,duties 7,a7 ,voluntary services ,a confidential advisor appointed or designated under paragraph 7#a7 shall offer to provide to covered employees described in paragraph 7#d7 the services described in subparagraph 7,b71 which a covered employee may accept or decline4 7,b7 ,services ,the services referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 are-- 7i7 informing1 on a privileged and confidential basis1 a covered employee who has been subject to a practice that may be a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii about the employee's rights under this ,act2 7ii7 consulting1 on a privileged and confidential basis1 with a covered employee who has been subject to a practice that may be a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii regarding-- 7,i7 the roles1 responsibilities1 and authority of the ,office2 and 7,,ii7 the relative merits of securing private counsel1 designating a non-attorney representative1 or proceeding without representation for proceedings before the ,office2 7iii7 advising and consulting with1 on a privileged and confidential basis1 a covered employee who has been subject to a practice that may be a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii regarding any claims the covered employee may have under title ,,iv1 the factual allegations that support each such claim1 and the relative merits of the procedural options available to the employee for each such claim2 7iv7 assisting1 on a privileged and confidential basis1 a covered employee who seeks consideration under title ,,iv of an allegation of a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii in understanding the procedures1 and the significance of the procedures1 described in title ,,iv1 including-- 7,i7 assisting or consulting with the covered employee regarding the drafting of a claim to be filed under section #djb7;a72 and 7,,ii7 consulting with the covered employee regarding the procedural options available to the covered employee after a claim is filed1 and the relative merits of each option2 and 7v7 informing1 on a privileged and confidential basis1 a covered employee who has been subject to a practice that may be a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii about the option of pursuing1 in appropriate circumstances1 a complaint with the ,committee on ,ethics of the ,house of ,representatives or the ,select ,committee on ,ethics of the ,senate4 7,c7 ,continuity of service ,once a covered employee has accepted and received any services offered under this section from a confidential advisor appointed or designated under paragraph 7#a71 any other services requested under this subsection by the covered employee shall be provided1 to the extent practicable1 by the same confidential advisor4 7#c7 ,qualifications ,a confidential advisor appointed or designated under paragraph 7#a7 shall be a lawyer who-- 7,a7 is admitted to practice before1 and is in good standing with1 the bar of a ,state of the ,united ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 or a territory of the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 has experience representing clients in cases involving the workplace laws incorporated by part ,a of title ,,ii4 7#d7 ,individuals covered ,the services described in paragraph 7#b7 are available to any covered employee 7which1 for purposes of this subsection1 shall include any staff member described in section #bja7;d7 and any former covered employee 7including any such former staff member771 except that-- 7,a7 a former covered employee may only request such services if the practice that may be a violation of part ,a of title ,,ii occurred during the employment or service of the employee2 and 7,b7 a covered employee described in this paragraph may only request such services before the expiration of the #ahj-;day period described in section #djb7;d74 7#e7 ,restrictions ,a confidential advisor appointed or designated under paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 shall not act as the designated representative for any covered employee in connection with the covered employee's participation in any proceeding1 including any proceeding under this ,act1 any judicial proceeding1 or any proceeding before any committee of ,congress2 7,b7 shall not offer or provide services described in paragraph 7#b77;,b7 to a covered employee if the covered employee has designated an attorney representative in connection with the covered employee's participation in any proceeding under this ,act1 except that a confidential advisor may provide general assistance and information to such attorney representative regarding this ,act and the role of the ,office as the confidential advisor determines appropriate2 and 7,c7 shall not serve as a mediator in any mediation conducted pursuant to section #djd4 4 #bje4 ,,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 ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 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 ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 #bjf4 ,,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 ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 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 ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 ,,iii ,miscellaneous ,reforms #cja4 ,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 7#a7 ,in general ,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 7#b7 ,construction 7,a7 ,no limitation on other laws ,nothing in this section limits the provisions of this ,act that apply to a violation of a law described in subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,other laws ,a law described in this subparagraph is a law 7even if not listed in subsection 7a7 or this subsection7 that explicitly applies one or more provisions of this ,act to a violation4 4 #cjb4 ,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 7b7 shall apply with respect to-- 7,a7 any staff member of an employing office who carries out official duties of the employing office but who is not paid by the employing office for carrying out such duties 7referred to in this subsection as an unpaid staff member71 including an intern1 an individual detailed to an employing office1 and an individual participating in a fellowship program1 in the same manner and to the same extent as such subsections apply with respect to a covered employee2 and 7,b7 a former unpaid staff member1 if the act that may be a violation of subsection 7a7 occurred during the service of the former unpaid staffer for the employing office4 7#b7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in paragraph 7#a7 may be construed to extend liability for a violation of subsection 7a7 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 ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term intern means an individual who performs service for an employing office 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 #cjc4 ,clarification of treatment of ,library of ,congress visitors 7a7 ,clarification ,section #baj 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acca7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7h7 as subsection 7i72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7g7 the following3 7h7 ,election of remedies relating to rights to public services and accommodations for ,library visitors 7#a7 ,definition of ,library visitor ,in this subsection1 the term ,library visitor means an individual who is eligible to bring a claim for a violation under title ,,ii or ,,iii of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7other than a violation for which the exclusive remedy is under section #bja7 against the ,library of ,congress4 7#b7 ,election of remedies 7,a7 ,in general ,a ,library visitor who alleges a violation of subsection 7b7 by the ,library of ,congress may1 subject to subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 file a charge against the ,library of ,congress under subsection 7d72 or 7ii7 use the remedies and procedures set forth in section #gag of the ,civil ,rights ,act of #aifd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjj;e-#af71 as provided under section #eaj 7other than paragraph 7#e77 of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abbji74 7,b7 ,timing ,a ,library visitor that has initiated proceedings under clause 7i7 or 7ii7 of subparagraph 7,a7 may elect to change and initiate a proceeding under the other clause-- 7i7 in the case of a ,library visitor who first filed a charge pursuant to subparagraph 7,a77i71 before the ,general ,counsel files a complaint under subsection 7d77#c72 or 7ii7 in the case of a ,library visitor who first initiated a proceeding under subparagraph 7,a77ii71 before the ,library visitor requests a hearing under the procedures of the ,library of ,congress described in such subparagraph4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #baj7;d77#b7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acca7;d77#b77 is amended by striking section #djc and inserting section #djd4 7c7 ,effective date and applicability ,the amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall take effect as if such amendments were included in the enactment of section #aec of the ,legislative ,branch ,appropriations ,act1 #bjah 7,public ,law #aae-ada71 and shall apply as specified in section #aec7;c7 of such ,act4 #cjd4 ,notices 7a7 ,requiring employing offices to post notices ,part ,e of title ,,ii 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acfa7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #bbf4 ,notices 7a7 ,in general ,every employing office shall post and keep posted 7in conspicuous places upon its premises where notices to covered employees are customarily posted7 a notice provided by the ,office that-- 7#a7 describes the rights1 protections1 and procedures applicable to covered employees of the employing office under this ,act1 concerning violations described in subsection 7b72 and 7#b7 includes contact information for the ,office4 7b7 ,violations ,a violation described in this subsection is-- 7#a7 discrimination prohibited by section #bja7;a7 7including1 in accordance with section #ajb7;c71 discrimination prohibited by title ,,ii of the ,genetic ,information ,nondiscrimination ,act of #bjjh 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjj;ff et seq477 or #bjf7;a72 and 7#b7 a violation of section #bjg that is related to discrimination described in paragraph 7#a74 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to part ,e of title ,,ii the following new item3 ,sec4 #bbf4 ,notices4 4 #cje4 ,clarification of coverage of employees of ,helsinki and ,china ,commissions 7a7 ,clarification of ,coverage ,section #aja 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja71 as amended by section #cjb7;b71 is further amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,except as otherwise and inserting 7a7 ,in general4--,except as otherwise2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7b7 ,clarification of coverage of employees of certain commissions 7#a7 ,coverage ,with respect to the ,china ,review ,commission1 the ,congressional-,executive ,china ,commission1 and the ,helsinki ,commission-- 7,a7 any individual who is an employee of such ,commission shall be considered a covered employee for purposes of this ,act2 and 7,b7 the ,commission shall be considered an employing office for purposes of this ,act4 7#b7 ,authority to provide legal assistance and representation ,subject to paragraph 7#c71 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 ,office of ,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 ,house1 and in the case of assistance and representation in connection with any subsequent claim under title ,,iv related to the initial claim where the subsequent claim involves the same parties2 or 7,b7 by the ,office of ,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 ,senator1 and in the case of assistance and representation in connection with any subsequent claim under title ,,iv related to the initial claim where the subsequent claim involves the same parties4 7#c7 ,definitions ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 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-cih2 7,b7 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 seq472 and 7,c7 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 ,coverage of ,stennis ,center 7#a7 ,treatment of employees as covered employees ,section #aja7;a77#c7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7;a77#c77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking or at the end of subparagraph 7,i72 7,b7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,j7 and inserting 2 or2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,k7 the ,john ,c4 ,stennis ,center for ,public ,service ,training and ,development4 4 7#b7 ,treatment of ,center as employing office ,section #aja7;a77#i77;,d7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7;a77#i77;,d77 is amended by striking and the ,office of ,technology ,assessment and inserting the following3 the ,office of ,technology ,assessment1 and the ,john ,c4 ,stennis ,center for ,public ,service ,training and ,development4 7c7 ,conforming amendments ,paragraphs 7#g7 and 7#h7 of section #aja7;a7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7;a77 are each amended by striking subparagraphs 7,c7 through 7,i7 and inserting subparagraphs 7,c7 through 7,k74 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 #cjf4 ,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-- 7#a7 by redesignating section #eji as section #eaj2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #ejh the following new section3 #eji4 ,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 title ,,iv 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 ,seventeenth ,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-- 7#a7 by redesignating the item relating to section #eji as relating to section #eaj2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #ejh the following new item3 ,sec4 #eji4 ,training and education programs of employing offices4 4 #cjg4 ,support for out-of-area covered employees 7a7 ,in general ,title ,v 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adca et seq471 as amended by section #cjf7;a71 is further amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating section #eaj as section #eaa2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #eji1 as inserted by section #cjf7;a71 the following3 #eaj4 ,support for out-of-area covered employees 7a7 ,in general ,all covered employees whose location of employment is outside of the ,washington1 ,,dc area 7referred to in this section as out-of-area covered employees7 shall have equitable access to the resources and services provided by the ,office and under this ,act as is provided to covered employees who work in the ,washington1 ,,dc area4 7b7 ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights ,the ,office shall-- 7#a7 establish a method by which out-of-area covered employees may communicate securely with the ,office1 which shall include an option for real-time audiovisual communication2 and 7#b7 provide guidance to employing offices regarding how each office can facilitate equitable access to the resources and services provided under this ,act for its out-of-area covered employees1 including information regarding the communication methods described in paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,employing offices ,it is the sense of ,congress that each employing office with out-of-area covered employees should use its best efforts to facilitate equitable access to the resources and services provided under this ,act for those employees4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents1 as amended by section #cjf7;b71 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating the item relating to section #eaj as relating to section #eaa2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #eji1 as inserted by section #cjf7;b71 the following new item3 ,sec4 #eaj4 ,support for out-of-area covered employees4 4 #cjh4 ,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 section 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 #aiie1 as amended by section #cje7;a71 is further amended as follows3 7#a7 ,in section #aja7;a77#a7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7;a77#a771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#b7 ,in section #aja7;a77#b7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7;a77#b771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#c7 ,in section #aja7;a77#c77;,h7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7;a77#c77;,h771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#d7 ,in section #aja7;a77#i77;,d7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7;a77#i77;,d771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#e7 ,in section #aja7;a77#aj7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7;a77#aj771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#f7 ,in section #aja7;a77#aa7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7;a77#aa771 by striking ,office of ,compliance and inserting ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 7#g7 ,in section #aja7;a77#ab7 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #acja7;a77#ab771 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 title 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 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 ,establishment of ,office of ,congressional ,workplace ,rights4 4 7d7 ,effective date2 references in other laws1 rules1 and regulations ,the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,any reference to the ,office of ,compliance in any law1 rule1 regulation1 or other official paper in effect as of such date 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 ,nothing in this ,act or the amendments made by this ,act may be construed to affect any proceeding or payment of an award or settlement relating to a claim under title ,,iv of the ,congressional ,accountability ,act of #aiie 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #adja et seq47 which is pending as of the date after that #ahj-;day period4 ,if1 as of that date1 an employee has begun any of the proceedings under that title that were available to the employee prior to that date1 the employee may complete1 or initiate and complete1 all such proceedings1 and such proceedings shall remain in effect with respect to1 and provide the exclusive proceedings for1 the claim involved until the completion of all such proceedings4