,,ii #aaf? ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #defe ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates ,septemb] #aj1 #bjbj,mr4 ,wick] introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,comm]ce1 ,sci5ce1 & ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to am5d title #di1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to r5ame ! ,aviation ,safety ,:i/lebl[] ,inve/igation ,(fice & to e/abli% an ,(fice ( ,pr(essional ,responsibility & an ,(fice ( ! ,ombudsman 9 ! ,f$]al ,aviation ,adm9i/ration1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,f$]al ,aviation ,adm9i/ration ,acc\ntability ,enhancem5t ,act4 #b4 ,enhancem5t ( ! ,aviation ,safety ,:i/lebl[] ,inve/igation ,(fice 9 ! ,f$]al ,aviation ,adm9i/ration 7a7 ,r5am+ ( ! ,(fice ,section #ajf7t77#a7 ( title #di1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+ an ,aviation ,safety ,:i/lebl[] ,inve/igation ,(fice & ins]t+ ! ,(fice ( ,acc\ntability & ,:i/lebl[] ,protection4 7b7 ,duties 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #ajf7t77#c7 ( title #di1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7,a7 9 subp>agraph 7,a7-- 7i7 9 clause 7i7-- 7,i7 by ins]t+ & inve/igate 9 accordance ) subsection 7w7 aft] receive2 & 7,,ii7 by /rik+ 7if ! c]tificate hold] does n h a simil> 9-h\se :i/lebl[] or safety & regulatory noncompliance report+ process72 7ii7 9 clause 7ii71 by /rik+ & at ! end2 7iii7 9 clause 7iii71 by /rik+ ! p]iod at ! end & ins]t+ 2 &2 & 7iv7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7iv7 inve/igate 9 accordance ) subsection 7w7 any misconduct alleg$ or discov]$ z a result ( an inve/igation conduct$ pursuant to clause 7i72 7v7 receive & inve/igate 9 accordance ) subsection 7w7 compla9ts & in=mation conc]n+ :i/lebl[] retaliation by employees ( ! ,ag5cy2 7vi7 assess ! results ( any inve/igation "u clause 7i71 7iv71 or 7v71 & if !re is a f9d+ ( :i/lebl[] retaliation or relat$ misconduct1 provide a recomm5dation = a range ( discipl9>y actions to ! ,ag5cy propos+ (ficial2 7vii7 if ! ,ag5cy propos+ (ficial deviates f ! recomm5d$ range ( discipl9>y action describ$ 9 clause 7vi71 or if ! ,ag5cy decid+ (ficial deviates f ! range ( discipl9>y actions propos$ by ! ,ag5cy propos+ (ficial1 notify ,congress 9 writ+ n lat] ?an #aj days aft] su* deviation2 & 7viii7 comply ) all legal requirem5ts conc]n+ discipl9>y actions relat$ to :i/lebl[] retaliation4 2 7,b7 9 subp>agraph 7,b71 by /rik+ subp>agraph 7,a77i7 & ins]t+ clause 7i71 7iv71 or 7v7 ( subp>agraph 7,a72 7,c7 9 subp>agraph 7,c71 by /rik+ subp>agraph 7,a77i7 & ins]t+ clause 7i71 7iv71 or 7v7 ( subp>agraph 7,a72 & 7,d7 9 subp>agraph 7,d7-- 7i7 by /rik+ assessm5t & ins]t+ inve/igation2 7ii7 by /rik+ subp>agraph 7,a77i7 & ins]t+ clause 7i71 7iv71 or 7v7 ( subp>agraph 7,a72 & 7iii7 by ins]t+ 1 misconduct1 or :i/lebl[] retaliation aft] aviation safety4 7#b7 ,limitation ,section #ajf7t77#b7 ( title #di1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7,e7 ,limitation ( duties ,! ,adm9i/rator may only assign to ! ,director responsibilities relat+ to ! duties ( ! ,(fice describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#c74 4 7#c7 ,con=m+ am5dm5ts ,section #ajf7t7 ( title #di1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#e71 by ins]t+ 1 misconduct1 or :i/lebl[] retaliation aft] aviation safety2 7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#g7-- 7i7 9 ! matt] prec$+ subp>agraph 7,a7-- 7,i7 by /rik+ ,octob] #a & ins]t+ ,novemb] #ae2 & 7,,ii7 by ins]t+ directly aft] ! ,director %all submit2 & 7ii7 9 subp>agraph 7,a71 by /rik+ p>agraph 7#c77;,a77i7 9 ! prec$+ #ab-mon? p]iod & ins]t+ clause 7i71 7iv71 or 7v7 ( p>agraph #c7;,a7 9 ! prec$+ fiscal ye>2 & 7,c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7#h7 ,/aff & res\rces ,! ,adm9i/rator %all ensure t ! ,director has su* /aff1 res\rces1 & access to in=mation z may be necess>y to c>ry out ! functions ( ! ,(fice4 4 #c4 ,(fice ( ! ,:i/lebl[] ,ombudsman 9 ! ,f$]al ,aviation ,adm9i/ration ,section #ajf ( title #di1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7u7 ,(fice ( ! ,:i/lebl[] ,ombudsman 7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,! ,adm9i/rator %all e/abli% 9 ! ,f$]al ,aviation ,adm9i/ration 79 ?is subsection ref]r$ to z ! ,ag5cy7 an ,(fice ( ! ,:i/lebl[] ,ombudsman 79 ?is subsection ref]r$ to z ! ,(fice74 7#b7 ,ombudsman ,! ,(fice %all be head$ by an ,ombudsman1 :o %all be appo9t$ by ! ,adm9i/rator4 7#c7 ,duties ,! ,ombudsman %all c>ry out ! foll[+ duties3 7,a7 ,educate ,ag5cy employees ab\t prohibitions on retaliation & any specific rights or rem$ies ) respect to any retaliatory practice4 7,b7 ,s]ve z an indep5d5t confid5tial res\rce = ,ag5cy employees to discuss any specific retaliation allegation & available rights or rem$ies bas$ on ! circum/ances4 7,c7 ,coord9ate ) ,human ,res\rce ,managem5t1 ! ,(fice ( ,acc\ntability & ,:i/lebl[] ,protection1 ! ,(fice ( ,pr(essional ,responsibility1 & ! ,(fice ( ! ,*ief ,c\nsel1 z necess>y4 7,d7 ,coord9ate ) ! ,(fice ( ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,transportation's ,:i/lebl[] ,protection ,coord9ator & ! ,(fice ( ! ,special ,c\nsel1 z necess>y4 7,e7 ,conduct outrea* & tra9+ )9 ! ,ag5cy to mitigate retaliation & promote timely & appropriate process+ ( any protect$ disclosure or allegation ( retaliation4 7#d7 ,/aff & res\rces ,! ,adm9i/rator %all ensure t ! ,ombudsman has su* /aff1 res\rces1 & access to in=mation z may be necess>y to c>ry out ! functions ( ! ,(fice4 4 #d4 ,(fice ( ,pr(essional ,responsibility 9 ! ,f$]al ,aviation ,adm9i/ration ,section #ajf ( title #di1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ by section #c1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7v7 ,(fice ( ,pr(essional ,responsibility 7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,! ,adm9i/rator %all e/abli% 9 ! ,f$]al ,aviation ,adm9i/ration 79 ?is subsection ref]r$ to z ! ,ag5cy7 an ,(fice ( ,pr(essional ,responsibility 79 ?is subsection ref]r$ to z ! ,(fice74 7#b7 ,duties ,! ,(fice %all c>ry out ! foll[+ duties3 7,a7 ,receive any compla9ts & in=mation conc]n+ misconduct by manag]s )9 ! ,ag5cy4 7,b7 ,assess any compla9t & in=mation conc]n+ misconduct by manag]s receiv$ "u ?is p>agraph & det]m9e :e!r suffici5t in=mation exi/s to initiate an inve/igation 9 accordance ) subsection 7w74 7,c7 ,except z provid$ 9 subp>agraph 7,d71 ref] ea* misconduct case1 bas$ on ! nature ( ! allegations1 to-- 7i7 ! ,(fice ( ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,transportation = inve/igation & appropriate ref]ral1 z necess>y2 or 7ii7 ! appropriate v5ue )9 ! ,ag5cy = inve/igation 9 accordance ) subsection 7w7 & adjudication 9 accordance ) subsection 7x71 unless ! ,(fice decides to reta9 su* case4 7,d7 ,reta9 & indep5d5tly inve/igate 9 accordance ) subsection 7w7 any allegation1 o!r ?an an allegation inve/igat$ by ! ,(fice ( ,acc\ntability & ,:i/lebl[] ,protection or ref]r$ outside ( ! ,ag5cy1 t c>ries a possible p5alty ( susp5sion ( pay = m ?an #ad days4 7,e7 ,record & track ! disposition ( ea* misconduct case receiv$ "u ?is p>agraph4 7#c7 ,/aff & res\rces ,! ,adm9i/rator %all ensure t ! ,(fice has su* /aff1 res\rces1 & access to in=mation z may be necess>y to c>ry out ! functions ( ! ,(fice4 7#d7 ,def9ition ,= purposes ( ?is subsection1 ! t]m manag] means an employee ( ! ,ag5cy :o is a sup]visor or managem5t (ficial1 z def9$ 9 section #gajc7;a7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 4 #e4 ,misconduct ,inve/igations & ,adjudications 9 ! ,f$]al ,aviation ,adm9i/ration ,section #ajf ( title #di1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ by section #d1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7w7 ,misconduct ,inve/igations 7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ( policy 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,adm9i/rator %all e/abli% an inve/igative policy t gov]ns any inve/igation ( misconduct by a manag] conduct$ by ! ,f$]al ,aviation ,adm9i/ration 79 ?is subsection ref]r$ to z ! ,ag5cy74 7,b7 ,pres]vation ( collective b>ga9+ agreem5ts ,! inve/igative policy e/abli%$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 %all n apply to1 or 9 ! future1 be ext5d$ by ! ,adm9i/rator to apply to1 any employee cov]$ by or eligible to be cov]$ by a collective b>ga9+ agreem5t ent]$ into by ! ,ag5cy4 7#b7 ,requirem5ts ,! inve/igative policy e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all require ! utilization ( inve/igative be/ practices to ensure indep5d5t & objective inve/igation & accurate record+ & report+ ( su* inve/igation1 includ+-- 7,a7 manag+ case files to ensure ! integrity ( ! in=mation conta9$ 9 su* case files2 7,b7 conduct+ int]views 9 a mann] t ensures tru?ful answ]s & accurate records ( su* int]views2 7,c7 coord9at+ ) ! ,(fice ( ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,transportation1 ! ,(fice ( ! ,special ,c\nsel1 & ! ,attorney ,g5]al1 z necess>y2 & 7,d7 complet+ inve/igations 9 a timely mann]4 7#c7 ,def9ition ,= purposes ( ?is subsection1 ! t]m manag] has ! mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9 subsection 7v77#d74 7x7 ,discipl9e ,managem5t 7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ( policy 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,adm9i/rator %all e/abli% a discipl9e managem5t policy t gov]ns any adjudication ( an inve/igation ( misconduct by a manag] conduct$ by ! ,f$]al ,aviation ,adm9i/ration 79 ?is subsection ref]r$ to z ! ,ag5cy74 7,b7 ,pres]vation ( collective b>ga9+ agreem5ts ,! discipl9e managem5t policy e/abli%$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 %all n apply to1 or 9 ! future1 be ext5d$ by ! ,adm9i/rator to apply to1 any employee cov]$ by or eligible to be cov]$ by a collective b>ga9+ agreem5t ent]$ into by ! ,ag5cy4 7#b7 ,requirem5ts ,! discipl9e managem5t policy e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all require-- 7,a7 except z provid$ 9 subsection 7t77#c77;,a7 or 9 a case :]e ! allegation involv$ c>ries a possible p5alty ( susp5sion ( pay = #ad days or less1 ! ,adm9i/rator to appo9t an individual to s]ve z ! ,ag5cy propos+ (ficial 9 any adjudication conduct$ by ! ,ag5cy2 7,b7 except 9 a case :]e ! allegation involv$ c>ries a possible p5alty ( susp5sion ( pay = #ad days or less1 ! ,adm9i/rator to appo9t an individual to s]ve z ! ,ag5cy decid+ (ficial 9 any adjudication conduct$ by ! ,ag5cy2 7,c7 ! ,ag5cy to conduct any adjudication 9 accordance ) be/ practices2 & 7,d7 ! ,ag5cy to complete-- 7i7 ! discipl9e proposal process1 includ+ an opportunity = employee response1 n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! receipt ( a complet$ misconduct inve/igation2 & 7ii7 ! decision process1 includ+ any employee appeal1 n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! conclusion ( ! discipl9e proposal process4 7#c7 ,def9ition ,= purposes ( ?is subsection1 ! t]m manag] has ! mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9 subsection 7v77#d74 4