,,ii  #aai? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #abd  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!       
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,janu>y #af1 #bjbe,mr4 
,moran 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,tub]ville1 ,mr4
 ,cassidy1 ,mr4 ,banks1 ,mrs4           
,blackburn1 ,mr4 ,boozman1 ,mr4 ,%eehy1 
,mr4 ,cram]1 ,mr4 ,tillis1 ,mr4         
,ricketts1 ,mr4 ,scott ( ,florida1 ,mr4 
,ris*1 & ,mr4 ,graham7 introduc$ !      
foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$  
to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs   
,a ,,bill  ,to am5d title #ch1 ,unit$   
,/ates ,code1 to provide = discipl9>y   
proc$ures = sup]visors & manag]s at !   
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs & to      
modify ! proc$ures ( p]sonnel actions   
aga9/ employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 & = o!r  
purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may
 be cit$ z ! ,re/ore ,dep>tm5t (        
,vet]ans ,affairs ,acc\ntability ,act ( 
#bjbe or ! ,re/ore ,,va ,acc\ntability  
,act ( #bjbe4  #b4 ,sup]visors3 removal1
 demotion1 or susp5sion bas$ on p]=mance
 or misconduct  7a7 ,discipl9e (        
sup]visors  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,title #ch1   

,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ 
aft] section #gaa ! foll[+3  #gab4      
,sup]visors3 removal1 demotion1 or      
susp5sion bas$ on p]=mance or misconduct
  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y may remove f
 civil s]vice1 demote1 or susp5d a cov]$
 individual :o is an employee ( !       
,dep>tm5t if ! ,secret>y det]m9es by    
sub/antial evid5ce t ! p]=mance or      
misconduct ( ! cov]$ individual w>rants 
su* action4  7b7 ,rights & proc$ures    
7#a7 7,a7 ,:5 mak+ an initial decision  
"u subsection 7a7 ) respect to det]m9+  
:e!r a cov]$ individual %\ld be remov$1 
demot$1 or susp5d$1 ! decid+ employee ( 
! ,dep>tm5t %all exclusively apply !    
foll[+ factors3 7i7 ,! nature &         
s]i\sness ( ! (f5se1 & its relation to !
 cov]$ individual's duties1 position1 & 
responsibilities1 includ+ :e!r ! (f5se 0
 int5tional or te*nical or inadv]t5t1 or
 0 committ$ malici\sly or = ga91 or 0   
frequ5tly repeat$4  7ii7 ,! cov]$       
individual's job level & type (         
employm5t1 includ+ sup]visory or        

fiduci>y role1 & prom95ce ( ! position4 
7,b7 ,! ,secret>y %all review ! initial 
decision & uphold su* decision if x is  
support$ by sub/antial evid5ce4  7#b7 ,a
 cov]$ individual subject to an action  
"u subsection 7a7 is entitl$ to-- 7,a7  
advance notice ( ! action & a file      
conta9+ all evid5ce 9 support ( !       
propos$ action2  7,b7 be repres5t$ by an
 attorney or o!r repres5tative ( ! cov]$
 individual's *oice2 &  7,c7 grieve !   
action 9 accordance ) an int]nal        
grievance process t ! ,secret>y1 9      
consultation ) ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y =  
,acc\ntability & ,:i/lebl[] ,protection1
 %all e/abli% = purposes ( ?is          
subsection4  7#c7 ,a f9al decision by ! 
,secret>y "u p>agraph 7#a77;,b7 t is n  
griev$1 & a grievance decision "u       
p>agraph 7#b77;,c71 %all be f9al &      
conclusive4  7#d7 ,! proc$ures "u *apt] 
#dc ( title #e %all n apply to a        
removal1 demotion1 or susp5sion "u ?is  
section1 & ! ,secret>y may c>ry out su* 
a removal1 demotion1 or susp5sion )\t   

fir/ plac+ a cov]$ individual on a      
p]=mance improvem5t plan4  7c7 ,tim+    
7#a7 7,a7 ,! aggregate p]iod = notice1  
response1 & f9al decision by ! ,secret>y
 ( an action "u ?is section may n exce$ 
#ae bus9ess days4  7,b7 ,! p]iod = !    
response ( a cov]$ individual to a      
notice "u subsection 7b77#b77;,a7 %all  
be #g bus9ess days4  7,c7 ,! f9al       
decision by ! ,secret>y "u subsection   
7b77#a77;,b7 %all-- 7i7 be issu$ n lat] 
?an #ae bus9ess days aft] notice is     
provid$ "u subsection 7b77#b77;,a72 &   
7ii7 be 9 writ+ & %all include !        
specific reasons = ! decision4  7,d7 ,! 
,secret>y %all ensure t ! grievance     
process e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#b77;,c7  
takes few] ?an #ba days aft] ! f9al     
decision4  7d7 ,judicial review  7#a7 ,a
 cov]$ individual adv]sely affect$ by a 
f9al decision "u ?is section t is n     
griev$1 or by a grievance decision "u   
subsection 7b77#b77;,c71 may obta9      
judicial review ( su* decision4  7#b7   
,any removal1 demotion1 or susp5sion "u 

?is section is n appealable to ! ,m]it  
,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d1 or to any    
adm9i/rative judge or o!r p]son appo9t$ 
by ! ,m]it ,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d4   
7#c7 ,9 any case 9 :i* judicial review  
is s\ght "u p>agraph 7#a71 ! c\rt %all  
review ! record & may set aside any     
,dep>tm5t action f\nd to be-- 7,a7      
arbitr>y1 caprici\s1 an abuse (         
discretion1 or o!rwise n 9 accordance ) 
a provision ( law2  7,b7 obta9$ )\t     
proc$ures requir$ by a provision ( law  
hav+ be5 foll[$2 or  7,c7 unsupport$ by 
sub/antial evid5ce4  7#d7 ,except to !  
ext5t t an appeal "u ?is subsection     
pres5ts a con/itutional issue1 su* c\rt 
may n review a *all5ge to ! p5alty      
impos$ aga9/ ! cov]$ individual or      
mitigate su* p5alty4  7e7 ,demot$       
individuals  7#a7 ,a demotion "u        
subsection 7a7 %all be c>ri$ out z a    
r$uction 9 grade = :i* ! cov]$          
individual is qualifi$1 t ! ,secret>y   
det]m9es is appropriate1 & t r$uces !   
annual rate ( pay ( ! cov]$ individual4 

7#b7 ,not)/&+ any o!r provision ( law1  
any cov]$ individual s demot$-- 7,a7    
%all1 beg9n+ on ! date ( su* demotion1  
receive ! annual rate ( pay applicable  
to su* grade2  7,b7 may n be plac$ on   
adm9i/rative leave dur+ ! p]iod dur+ :i*
 an appeal 7if any7 "u ?is section is   
ongo+1 & may only receive pay if ! cov]$
 individual reports = duty or is approv$
 to use accru$ unus$ annual1 sick1      
family m$ical1 milit>y1 or c\rt leave2 &
  7,c7 :o does n report = duty or       
receive approval to use accru$ unus$    
leave %all n receive pay or o!r b5efits4
  7f7 ,:i/lebl[] protection  7#a7 ,9 !  
case ( a cov]$ individual seek+         
corrective action 7or on behalf ( :om   
corrective action is s\ght7 f ! ,(fice (
 ,special ,c\nsel bas$ on an alleg$     
prohibit$ p]sonnel practice describ$ 9  
section #bcjb7;b7 ( title #e1 !         
,secret>y may n remove1 demote1 or      
susp5d su* cov]$ individual "u          
subsection 7a7 )\t ! approval ( !       
,special ,c\nsel "u section #abad7;f7 ( 

title #e4  7#b7 ,9 ! case ( a cov]$     
individual :o has made a :i/lebl[]      
disclosure to ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y =   
,acc\ntability & ,:i/lebl[] ,protection1
 ! ,secret>y may n remove1 demote1 or   
susp5d su* cov]$ individual "u          
subsection 7a7 until-- 7,a7 9 ! case 9  
:i* ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y det]m9es to   
ref] ! :i/lebl[] disclosure "u section  
#cbc7;c77#a77;,d7 ( ?is title to an     
(fice or o!r inve/igative entity1 a f9al
 decision ) respect to ! :i/lebl[]      
disclosure has be5 made by su* (fice or 
o!r inve/igative entity2 or  7,b7 9 !   
case 9 :i* ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y        
det]m9es n to ref] ! :i/lebl[]          
disclosure "u su* section1 ! ,assi/ant  
,secret>y makes su* det]m9ation4  7g7   
,t]m9ation ( inve/igations by (fice (   
special c\nsel  7#a7 ,not)/&+ any o!r   
provision ( law1 ! ,special ,c\nsel     
7e/abli%$ by section #abaa ( title #e7  
may t]m9ate an inve/igation ( a         
prohibit$ p]sonnel practice alleg$ by an
 employee or =m] employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t 

aft] ! ,special ,c\nsel provides to !   
employee or =m] employee a writt5       
/atem5t ( ! reasons = ! t]m9ation ( !   
inve/igation4  7#b7 ,su* /atem5t may n  
be admissible z evid5ce 9 any judicial  
or adm9i/rative proce$+ )\t ! cons5t (  
su* employee or =m] employee4  7h7      
,application ,?is section %all apply to 
any p]=mance or misconduct ( a cov]$    
individual beg9n+ on ! date ( enactm5t (
 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs        
,acc\ntability & ,:i/lebl[] ,protection 
,act ( #bjag 7,public ,law #aae-da74    
7i7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is section3 7#a7 ,! 
t]m civil s]vice has ! mean+ giv5 t t]m 
9 section #baja ( title #e4  7#b7 ,! t]m
 cov]$ individual means an employee ( ! 
,dep>tm5t :o is a sup]visor or managem5t
 (ficial z def9$ 9 section #gajc7;a7 (  
title #e occupy+ a position at !        
,dep>tm5t1 includ+ individuals appo9t$  
pursuant to ?is title1 title #e1 &      
hybrid employees appo9t$ pursuant to    
section #gdja ( ?is title1 b does n     
include-- 7,a7 an individual occupy+ a  

s5ior executive position 7z def9$ 9     
section #gac7;d7 ( ?is title72  7,b7 an 
individual appo9t$ pursuant to section  
#gcjf1 #gdja7a71 #gdja7d71 or #gdje (   
?is title2  7,c7 an individual :o has n 
complet$ a probation>y or trial p]iod2  
or  7,d7 a political appo9tee4  7#c7 ,! 
t]m grade has ! mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9    
section #geaa7;a7 ( title #e4  7#d7 ,!  
t]m misconduct includes neglect ( duty1 
malfeasance1 or failure to accept a     
direct$ reassignm5t or to accompany a   
position 9 a transf] ( function4  7#e7  
,! t]m political appo9tee means an      
individual :o is-- 7,a7 employ$ 9 a     
position describ$ "u sections #ecab     
?r\gh #ecaf ( title #e 7relat+ to !     
,executive ,s*$ule72  7,b7 a limit$ t]m 
appo9tee1 limit$ em]g5cy appo9tee1 or   
nonc>e] appo9tee 9 ! ,s5ior ,executive  
,s]vice1 z def9$ "u p>agraphs 7#e71     
7#f71 & 7#g71 respectively1 ( section   
#cacb7;a7 ( title #e2 or  7,c7 employ$ 9
 a position ( a confid5tial or          
policy-det]m9+ "* "u s*$ule ,c ( subp>t 

,c ( "p #bac ( title #e1 ,code ( ,f$]al 
,regulations1 or successor regulation4  
7#f7 ,! t]m susp5d means ! plac+ ( an   
employee1 = discipl9>y reasons1 9 a     
tempor>y /atus )\t duties & pay = a     
p]iod 9 excess ( #ad days4  7#g7 ,! t]m 
:i/lebl[] disclosure has ! mean+ giv5   
su* t]m 9 section #cbc7;g7 ( ?is title4 
4  7#b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table (     
cont5ts = title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates      
,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item   
relat+ to section #gaa ! foll[+3  #gab4 
,sup]visors3 removal1 demotion1 or      
susp5sion bas$ on p]=mance or           
misconduct4  4  #c4 ,s5ior executives3  
modification ( proc$ures to remove1     
demote1 or susp5d bas$ on p]=mance or   
misconduct ,section #gac ( title #ch1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9  
subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#a71  
by ins]t+ by sub/antial evid5ce aft]    
det]m9es2 &  7,b7 by add+ at ! end !    
foll[+ new p>agraphs3  7#c7 ,:5 mak+ an 
initial decision "u ?is subsection )    
respect to det]m9+ :e!r a cov]$         

individual %\ld be reprim&$ or susp5d$1 
involunt>ily reassign$1 demot$1 or      
remov$1 ! decid+ employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t 
%all exclusively apply ! foll[+ factors3
 7,a7 ,! nature & s]i\sness ( ! (f5se1 &
 its relation to ! cov]$ individual's   
duties1 position1 & responsibilities1   
includ+ :e!r ! (f5se 0 int5tional or    
te*nical or inadv]t5t1 or 0 committ$    
malici\sly or = ga91 or 0 frequ5tly     
repeat$4  7,b7 ,! cov]$ individual's job
 level & type ( employm5t1 includ+      
sup]visory or fiduci>y role1 & prom95ce 
( ! position4  7#d7 ,! ,secret>y %all   
review ! initial decision & uphold su*  
decision if x is support$ by sub/antial 
evid5ce4  2  7#b7 9 subsection 7b7--    
7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#c71 by ins]t+ aft] !  
f9al decision aft] #ba days2 &  7,b7 by 
add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7#g7 ,except to
 ! ext5t t an appeal "u ?is subsection  
pres5ts a con/itutional issue1 su* c\rt 
may n review a *all5ge to ! p5alty      
impos$ aga9/ ! cov]$ individual or      
mitigate su* p5alty4  2 &  7#c7 by      

r$esignat+ subsection 7d7 z subsection  
7e72 &  7#d7 by ins]t+ aft] subsection  
7c7 ! foll[+ new subsection 7d73  7d7   
,application ,?is section %all apply to 
any misconduct or p]=mance ( a cov]$    
individual beg9n+ on ! date ( ! enactm5t
 ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs      
,acc\ntability & ,:i/lebl[] ,protection 
,act ( #bjag 7,public ,law #aae-da74  4 
#d4 ,modification ( discipl9>y proc$ures
 = employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans   
,affairs  7a7 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans      
,affairs employee discipl9e             
modifications ,section #gad ( title #ch1
 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 
subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#a71  
by ins]t+ by sub/antial evid5ce aft] !  
,secret>y det]m9es2 &  7,b7 by add+ at !
 end ! foll[+3  7#c7 7,a7 ,:5 mak+ an   
initial decision "u ?is subsection )    
respect to det]m9+ :e!r a cov]$         
individual %\ld be remov$1 demot$1 or   
susp5d$1 ! decid+ employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t
 %all exclusively apply ! foll[+        
factors3 7i7 ,! nature & s]i\sness ( !  

(f5se1 & its relation to ! cov]$        
individual's duties1 position1 &        
responsibilities1 includ+ :e!r ! (f5se 0
 int5tional or te*nical or inadv]t5t1 or
 0 committ$ malici\sly or = ga91 or 0   
frequ5tly repeat$4  7ii7 ,! cov]$       
individual's job level & type (         
employm5t1 includ+ sup]visory or        
fiduci>y role1 & prom95ce ( ! position4 
7iii7 ,! cov]$ individual's pa/         
discipl9>y record4  7iv7 ,! cov]$       
individual's pa/ "w record1 includ+ l5g?
 ( s]vice1 p]=mance on ! job1 ability to
 get along ) fell[ work]s1 &            
dep5dability4  7v7 ,mitigat+            
circum/ances surr\nd+ ! (f5se su* z     
unusual job t5sions1 p]sonality         
problems1 m5tal impairm5t1 h>assm5t1 or 
bad fai?1 malice1 or provocation on ! "p
 ( o!rs involv$ 9 ! matt]4  7,b7 ,!     
,secret>y %all review ! initial decision
 & uphold su* decision if x is support$ 
by sub/antial evid5ce4  2  7#b7 9       
subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 by /rik+ p>agraph 
7#a77;,d72 &  7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#c71 by  

ins]t+ be=e ! p]iod ! foll[+3 1 & !     
,secret>y may c>ry out su* a removal1   
demotion1 or susp5sion )\t fir/ plac+ a 
cov]$ individual on a p]=mance          
improvem5t plan2  7#c7 9 subsection     
7d7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#b71 by add+ at !
 end ! foll[+3  7,c7 ,except to ! ext5t 
t an appeal "u ?is subsection pres5ts a 
con/itutional issue1 ! adm9i/rative     
judge may n review a *all5ge to ! p5alty
 impos$ aga9/ ! cov]$ individual4  2    
7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#c71 by add+ at ! end !
 foll[+3  7,d7 ,except to ! ext5t t an  
appeal "u ?is subsection pres5ts a      
con/itutional issue1 ! ,m]it ,sy/ems    
,protection ,bo>d may n review a *all5ge
 to ! p5alty impos$ aga9/ ! cov]$       
individual4  2  7,c7 9 p>agraph 7#e71 by
 add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7,c7 ,except  
to ! ext5t t an appeal "u ?is subsection
 pres5ts a con/itutional issue1 su*     
,c\rt may n review a *all5ge to ! p5alty
 impos$ aga9/ ! cov]$ individual or     
mitigate su* p5alty4  2 &  7,d7 by /rik+
 p>agraph 7#aj72  7#d7 by r$esignat+    

subsection 7h7 z subsection 7j72  7#e7  
by ins]t+ aft] subsection 7g7 ! foll[+3 
7h7 ,collective b>ga9+ agreem5ts ,!     
proc$ures 9 ?is section %all sup]s$e any
 collective b>ga9+ agreem5t to ! ext5t t
 su* agreem5t is inconsi/5t ) su*       
proc$ures4  7i7 ,application ,?is       
section %all apply to any p]=mance or   
misconduct ( a cov]$ individual beg9n+  
on ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ! ,dep>tm5t (  
,vet]ans ,affairs ,acc\ntability &      
,:i/lebl[] ,protection ,act ( #bjag     
7,public ,law #aae-da74  2 &  7#f7 9    
p>agraph 7#a7 ( subsection 7j71 z       
r$esignat$ by p>agraph 7#d7-- 7,a7 9 !  
matt] be=e subp>agraph 7,a71 by ins]t+  
includ+ individuals appo9t$ pursuant to 
?is title1 title #e1 & hybrid employees 
appo9t$ pursuant to section #gdja ( ?is 
title1 aft] ,dep>tm5t12  7,b7 9         
subp>agraph 7,d71 by /rik+ ! p]iod &    
ins]t+ 2 or2 &  7,c7 by add+ aft]       
subp>agraph 7,d7 ! foll[+3  7,e7 a      
sup]visor or managem5t (ficial z def9$ 9
 section #gajc7;a7 ( title #e4  4  7b7  

,vet]ans ,heal? ,adm9i/ration employee  
discipl9e modifications ,section        
#gdjc7;f77#c7 ( su* title is am5d$--    
7#a7 by /rik+ ,not)/&+ any o!r provision
 ( ?is title or o!r law1 & ins]t+ 7,a7  
,not)/&+ any o!r provision ( ?is title  
or o!r law1 & consi/5t ) subp>agraph    
7,b712 &  7#b7 by add+ at ! end !       
foll[+3  7,b7 ,) respect to any cov]$   
individual 7z t t]m is def9$ 9 section  
#gab or #gad7 appo9t$ to su* positions1 
su* matt]s %all be resolv$1 at          
,secret>y's sole discretion1 "u-- 7i7   
section #gab2  7ii7 section #gad2 or    
7iii7 title #e z ?\gh su* individuals _h
 be5 appo9t$ "u t title4  4