Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act

To amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to reform the procedures provided under such Act for the initiation, investigation, and resolution of claims alleging that employing offices of the legislative branch have violated the rights and protections provided to their employees under such Act, including protections against sexual harassment, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; references in Act; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (b) References in Act Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to or repeal of a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to that section or other provision of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1301 (c) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; references in Act; table of contents. TITLE I—Reform of Dispute Resolution Procedures Subtitle A—Reform of Procedures for Initiation, Investigation, and Resolution of Claims Sec. 101. Description of procedures available for consideration of alleged violations. Sec. 102. Reform of process for initiation of procedures. Sec. 103. Investigation of claims by General Counsel. Sec. 104. Availability of mediation during investigations. Subtitle B—Other Reforms Sec. 111. Requiring Members of Congress to reimburse Treasury for amounts paid as settlements and awards in cases of acts committed personally by Members. Sec. 112. Automatic referral to congressional ethics committees of disposition of certain claims alleging violations of Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 involving Members of Congress and senior staff. Sec. 113. Availability of remote work assignment or paid leave of absence during pendency of procedures. Sec. 114. Modification of rules on confidentiality of proceedings. Sec. 115. Reimbursement by other employing offices of legislative branch of payments of certain awards and settlements. TITLE II—Improving Operations of Office of Compliance Sec. 201. Reports on claims, awards, and settlements. Sec. 202. Workplace climate surveys of employing offices. Sec. 203. Record retention. Sec. 204. GAO study of management practices. Sec. 205. GAO audit of cybersecurity. TITLE III—Miscellaneous Reforms Sec. 301. Extension to unpaid staff of rights and protections against employment discrimination. Sec. 302. Coverage of employees of Library of Congress. Sec. 303. Clarification of coverage of employees of Stennis Center and Helsinki and China Commissions. Sec. 304. Training and education programs of other employing offices. Sec. 305. Application of Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008. Sec. 306. Generally applicable remedies and limitations. Sec. 307. Renaming Office of Compliance as Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. TITLE IV—Effective Date Sec. 401. Effective date. I Reform of Dispute Resolution Procedures A Reform of Procedures for Initiation, Investigation, and Resolution of Claims 101. Description of procedures available for consideration of alleged violations (a) Procedures described Section 401 ( 2 U.S.C. 1401 401. Procedure for consideration of alleged violations (a) Filing and investigation of claims Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the procedure for consideration of an alleged violation of part A of title II consists of— (1) the filing of a claim by the covered employee alleging the violation, as provided in section 402; (2) an investigation of the claim, to be conducted by the General Counsel as provided in section 403; and (3) a formal hearing as provided in section 405, subject to Board review as provided in section 406, and judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit as provided in section 407, but only if, pursuant to an investigation conducted by the General Counsel as provided in section 403, the General Counsel finds either— (A) that there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office involved committed a violation of part A of title II as alleged in the covered employee’s claim; or (B) that the General Counsel cannot determine whether or not there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part A of title II as alleged in the covered employee’s claim. (b) Right of employee To file civil action (1) Civil action A covered employee who files a claim as provided in section 402 may, during the period described in paragraph (3), file a civil action in a district court of the United States with respect to the alleged violation involved, as provided in section 408. (2) Effect of filing civil action Notwithstanding paragraph (2) or paragraph (3) of subsection (a), if the covered employee files such a civil action— (A) the investigation of the claim by the General Counsel as provided in section 403, or any subsequent formal hearing as provided in section 405, shall terminate upon the filing of the action by the covered employee; and (B) the procedure for consideration of the alleged violation shall not include any further investigation of the claim by the General Counsel as provided in section 403 or any subsequent formal hearing as provided in section 405. (3) Period for filing civil action The period described in this paragraph with respect to a claim is the 45-day period which begins on the date the covered employee files the claim under section 402. (4) Special rule for employees receiving finding of no reasonable cause under investigation by General Counsel Notwithstanding paragraph (3), if a covered employee receives a written notice from the General Counsel under section 403(c)(3) that the employee has the right to file a civil action with respect to the claim in accordance with section 408, the covered employee may file the civil action not later than 90 days after receiving such written notice. (c) 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 Police, the Office, after receiving a claim filed under section 402, may recommend that the employee use, for a specific period of time, the grievance procedures of the Architect of the Capitol or the Capitol Police for resolution of the employee’s grievance. (d) Rights of parties To retain private counsel Nothing in this title may be construed to limit the authority of any particular individual, including a covered employee, the head of an employing office, or an individual who is alleged to have personally committed an act which consists of a violation of part A of title II, to retain counsel to protect the interests of the particular individual at any point during any of the procedures provided under this Act for the consideration of an alleged violation of part A of title II, including as provided under section 415(d)(7) with respect to Members of the House of Representatives and Senators. (e) Standards for counsel providing representation Any counsel who represents a party in any of the procedures provided under this Act shall have an obligation to ensure that, to the best of the counsel’s knowledge, information, and belief, as formed after an inquiry which is reasonable under the circumstances, each of the following is correct: (1) No pleading, written motion, or other paper is presented for any improper purpose, such as to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of resolution of the matter. (2) The claims, defenses, and other legal contentions the counsel advocates are warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing existing law or for establishing new law. (3) The factual contentions have evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, will likely have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further investigation or discovery. (4) The denials of factual contentions are warranted on the evidence or, if specifically so identified, are reasonably based on belief or a lack of information. . (b) Conforming amendment relating to civil action Section 408 ( 2 U.S.C. 1408 (1) by striking section 404 section 401 (2) by striking who has completed counseling under section 402 and mediation under section 403 (3) by striking the second sentence. (c) Conforming amendment related to settlements Section 414 ( 2 U.S.C. 1414 or 401 401, or 403(c)(3) (d) Other conforming amendments Title IV is amended— (1) by striking section 404 ( 2 U.S.C. 1404 (2) by redesignating section 403 ( 2 U.S.C. 1403 (e) Clerical amendments The table of contents is amended— (1) by striking the item relating to section 404; and (2) by redesignating the item relating to section 403 as relating to section 404. 102. Reform of process for initiation of procedures (a) Initiation of procedures Section 402 ( 2 U.S.C. 1402 402. Initiation of procedures (a) Intake of claim by Office To commence a proceeding under this title, a covered employee alleging a violation of law made applicable under part A of title II shall file a claim with the Office. The claim shall be made in writing under oath or affirmation, and shall be in such form as the Office requires. (b) Initial processing of claim (1) Intake and recording; notification to employing office Upon the filing of a claim by a covered employee under subsection (a), the Office shall take such steps as may be necessary for the initial intake and recording of the claim, including providing the employee with all relevant information with respect to the rights of the employee under this Act, and shall notify the head of the employing office of the claim. (2) Special notification requirements for claims based on acts committed personally by Members of Congress (A) In general In the case of a claim alleging a violation described in subparagraph (B) which consists of an act committed personally by an individual who, at the time of committing the act, was a Member of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress) or a Senator, upon the filing of the claim under subsection (a), the Office shall notify such individual of the claim, the possibility that the individual may be required to reimburse the account described in section 415(a) for the amount of any award or settlement in connection with the claim, and the right of the individual under section 415(d)(7) to intervene in any mediation, hearing, or civil action under this title with respect to the claim. (B) Violations described A violation described in this subparagraph is— (i) a violation of section 201(a); or (ii) a violation of section 207 which consists of intimidating, taking reprisal against, or otherwise discriminating against any covered employee because the covered employee has opposed any practice made unlawful by section 201(a). (c) Use of electronic reporting and tracking system (1) Establishment and operation of system The Office shall establish and operate an electronic reporting and tracking system through which a covered employee may initiate a proceeding under this title, 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 title. (2) Accessibility to all parties The system shall be accessible to all parties to such actions or proceedings, but only until the completion of such actions or proceedings. (3) 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 claims, 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 Senate. (d) 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 180-day period which begins on the date of the alleged violation. (e) No effect on ability of covered employee To seek information from Office or pursue relief Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the ability of a covered employee— (1) 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 Act; (2) in the case of a covered employee of an employing office of the House of Representatives or Senate, 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 (as the case may be); or (3) to file a civil action in accordance with section 401(b). . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents is amended by amending the item relating to section 402 to read as follows: Sec. 402. Initiation of procedures. . 103. Investigation of claims by General Counsel (a) Investigations described Title IV ( 2 U.S.C. 1401 403. Investigation of claims (a) Investigation Upon the completion of the initial processing of a claim under section 402(b), the General Counsel shall conduct an investigation of the claim involved. (b) Subpoenas To carry out an investigation under this section, the General Counsel may issue subpoenas in the same manner, and subject to the same terms and conditions, as a hearing officer may issue subpoenas to carry out discovery with respect to a hearing under section 405, except that the General Counsel may issue such a subpoena on the General Counsel’s own initiative, without regard to whether or not a party requests that the General Counsel issue the subpoena. It is the sense of Congress that the General Counsel should issue subpoenas under this subsection only to the extent that other methods of obtaining information with respect to an investigation are insufficient to enable the General Counsel to conclude the investigation within the deadline described in subsection (e). (c) Report; findings (1) Report Upon concluding an investigation of a claim under this section, the General Counsel shall transmit a written report on the results of the investigation to the covered employee and the employing office involved. (2) Inclusion of findings The General Counsel shall include in the report transmitted under paragraph (1) one of the following findings: (A) A finding that there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part A of title II, as alleged in the covered employee’s claim. (B) A finding that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part A of title II, as alleged in the covered employee’s claim. (C) A finding that the General Counsel cannot determine whether or not there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part A of title II, as alleged in the covered employee’s claim. (3) Notice of right to file civil action If the General Counsel transmits a report with a finding under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2), the General Counsel shall also transmit to the covered employee a written notice that the employee has the right to file a civil action with respect to the claim under section 408. (4) Transmission to Executive Director If the General Counsel transmits a report with a finding under subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2), the General Counsel shall also transmit the report to the Executive Director. (5) Transmission of report on investigation of certain claims to Congressional ethics committees (A) In general In the case of a report transmitted by the General Counsel under paragraph (1) on the results of an investigation of a claim alleging a violation described in subparagraph (B) which consists of an act committed personally by a Member of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress) or a Senator, the General Counsel shall transmit the report to— (i) the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives, in the case of a Member of the House (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress); or (ii) the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate, in the case of a Senator. (B) Violations described A violation described in this subparagraph is— (i) a violation of section 201(a); or (ii) a violation of section 207 which consists of intimidating, taking reprisal against, or otherwise discriminating against any covered employee because the covered employee has opposed any practice made unlawful by section 201(a). (d) Recommendation of mediation At any time during the investigation of a claim under this section, the General Counsel may make a recommendation that the covered employee and the employing office pursue mediation under section 404 with respect to the claim. (e) Deadline for concluding investigation The General Counsel shall conclude the investigation of a claim under this section, and transmit the report on the results of the investigation, not later than 90 days after the claim is filed under section 402, except that the General Counsel may (upon notice to the parties to the investigation) use an additional period of not to exceed 30 days to conclude the investigation. . (b) Conforming amendments relating to hearings conducted by Office of Compliance Section 405 ( 2 U.S.C. 1405 (1) In the heading, by striking Complaint and (2) By amending subsection (a) to read as follows: (a) Requirement for Office To conduct hearings (1) Hearing required upon certain findings by General Counsel (A) In general If the General Counsel transmits to the Executive Director a report on the investigation of a claim under section 403 which includes a finding described in subparagraph (B), the Office shall conduct a hearing to consider the claim and render a decision. (B) Findings described A finding described in this subparagraph is— (i) a finding under section 403(c)(2)(A) that there is reasonable cause to believe that an employing office committed a violation of part A of title II, as alleged in a claim filed by a covered employee; or (ii) a finding under section 403(c)(2)(C) that the General Counsel cannot determine whether or not there is reasonable cause to believe that the employing office committed a violation of part A of title II, as alleged in the covered employee’s claim. . (3) In subsection (c)(1), by striking complaint claim (4) In subsection (d) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking complaint claim (5) In subsection (d)(2), by striking no later than 60 days after filing of the complaint no later than 60 days after the Executive Director receives the General Counsel’s report on the investigation of the claim (6) In subsection (g), by striking complaint claim (c) Other conforming amendment The heading of section 414 ( 2 U.S.C. 1414 of complaints (d) Clerical amendments The table of contents, as amended by section 101(d), is further amended as follows: (1) By inserting after the item relating to section 402 the following new item: Sec. 403. Investigation of claims. . (2) By amending the item relating to section 405 to read as follows: Sec. 405. Hearing. . (3) By amending the item relating to section 414 to read as follows: Sec. 414. Settlement. . 104. Availability of mediation during investigations (a) Option To request mediation Section 404(a) ( 2 U.S.C. 1403(a) (a) Availability of mediation during investigation At any time during the investigation of a covered employee’s claim under section 403, the covered employee and the employing office may jointly file a request for mediation with the Office. . (b) Period of mediation The second sentence of section 404(c) ( 2 U.S.C. 1403(c) The mediation period may be extended for one additional period of 30 days at the joint request of the covered employee and employing office. (c) Requiring parties To be separated during mediation at request of employee Section 404(b)(2) ( 2 U.S.C. 1403(b)(2) meetings with the parties separately or jointly meetings with the parties during which, at the request of the covered employee, the parties shall be separated, B Other Reforms 111. Requiring Members of Congress to reimburse Treasury for amounts paid as settlements and awards in cases of acts committed personally by Members (a) Mandating reimbursement of amounts paid Section 415 ( 2 U.S.C. 1415 (d) Reimbursement by Members of Congress of amounts paid as settlements and awards (1) Reimbursement required for certain violations (A) In general If a payment is made from the account described in subsection (a) for an award or settlement in connection with a claim alleging a violation described in subparagraph (B) which consists of an act committed personally by an individual who, at the time of committing the act, was a Member of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress) or a Senator, the individual shall reimburse the account for the amount of the award or settlement. (B) Violations described A violation described in this subparagraph is— (i) a violation of section 201(a); or (ii) a violation of section 207 which consists of intimidating, taking reprisal against, or otherwise discriminating against any covered employee because the covered employee has opposed any practice made unlawful by section 201(a). (2) Withholding amounts from salary (A) Establishment of timetable and procedures by Committees For purposes of carrying out subparagraph (B), 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 Senator. (B) Deadline The payroll administrator shall withhold from an individual’s compensation and transfer to the account described in subsection (a) (after transferring to the account of the individual in the Thrift Savings Fund any amount that the individual had requested to be so transferred) such amounts as may be necessary to reimburse the account described in subsection (a) for the payment of an award or settlement described in paragraph (1) if the individual has not reimbursed the account as required under paragraph (1) prior to the expiration of the 90-day period which begins on the date a payment is made from the account for such an award or settlement. (C) Applicable committee defined In this paragraph, the applicable Committee (i) the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, in the case of an individual who, at the time of the withholding, is a Member of the House; or (ii) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, in the case of an individual who, at the time of the withholding, is a Senator. (3) Use of amounts in Thrift Savings Fund as source of reimbursement (A) In general If, by the expiration of the 180-day period which begins on the date a payment is made from the account described in subsection (a) for an award or settlement described in paragraph (1), an individual who is a Member of the House of Representatives or a Senator has not reimbursed the account as required under paragraph (1), the Executive Director of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board shall make a transfer, from the account of the individual in the Thrift Savings Fund to the account described in subsection (a), of an amount equal to the award or settlement (reduced by any amount the individual has reimbursed, taking into account any amounts withheld under paragraph (2)). (B) Initiation of transfer Notwithstanding section 8435 of title 5, United States Code, the Executive Director shall make the transfer under subparagraph (A) upon receipt of a written request to the Executive Director from the Secretary of the Treasury, in the form and manner required by the Executive Director, without the consent of the individual or the individual’s spouse or former spouse (as the case may be). (4) Notification to Office of Personnel Management and Secretary of the Treasury; garnishment If, at the time an individual is first no longer receiving compensation as a Member or a Senator, the amounts withheld under this subsection have not been sufficient to reimburse the account described in subsection (a) for an award or settlement described in paragraph (1), the payroll administrator— (A) shall notify the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, who shall take such actions as the Director considers appropriate to withhold from any annuity payable to the individual under chapter 83 or chapter 84 (B) shall notify the Secretary of the Treasury, who (if necessary), notwithstanding section 207 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 407 42 U.S.C. 401 (5) Coordination between OPM and Treasury The Director of the Office of Personnel Management and the Secretary of the Treasury shall carry out paragraph (4) in a manner that ensures the coordination of the withholding and transferring of amounts under such paragraph, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Director and the Secretary. (6) Definitions In this section: (A) Committed personally The term committed personally (B) Payroll administrator The term payroll administrator (i) in the case of an individual who is a Member of the House of Representatives, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, or an employee of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer who is designated by the Chief Administrative Officer to carry out this subsection; or (ii) in the case of an individual who is a Senator, the Secretary of the Senate, or an employee of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate who is designated by the Secretary to carry out this subsection. (7) Right to intervene An individual who is subject to the reimbursement requirement of this subsection shall have the right to intervene in any mediation, hearing, or civil action under this title to the extent necessary to protect the interests of the individual in the determination of whether an award or settlement described in paragraph (1) should be made, and the amount of any such award or settlement, except that nothing in this paragraph may be construed to require the covered employee who filed the claim to be deposed by counsel for the individual in a deposition which is separate from any other deposition taken from the employee in connection with the hearing or civil action. . (b) Conforming amendment relating to Thrift Savings Fund Section 8437(e) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking or an obligation an obligation of the Executive Director to make a transfer under section 415(d)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, or an obligation (c) Effective date The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply with respect to payments made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 112. Automatic referral to congressional ethics committees of disposition of certain claims alleging violations of Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 involving Members of Congress and senior staff Section 416(e) ( 2 U.S.C. 1416(e) (e) Automatic referrals to Congressional Ethics Committees of dispositions of claims involving Members of Congress and senior staff (1) Referral Upon the final disposition under this title (as described in paragraph (4)) of a claim alleging a violation described in section 415(d)(1)(B) which consists of an act committed personally by a Member of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress) or a Senator, or by a senior staffer of an employing office of the House of Representatives or Senate, the Executive Director shall refer the claim to— (A) the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives, in the case of a Member or senior staffer of the House (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress); or (B) the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate, in the case of a Senator or senior staffer of the Senate. (2) Access to records and information If the Executive Director refers a claim to a Committee under paragraph (1), the Executive Director shall provide the Committee with access to the records of any investigations, hearings, findings, or decisions of the hearing officers, the Board, or the General Counsel, under this title, and any information relating to an award or settlement paid, in response to such claim. (3) Protection of personally identifiable information If a Committee to which a claim is referred under paragraph (1) issues a report with respect to the claim, the Committee shall ensure that the report does not directly disclose the identity or position of the individual who filed the claim. (4) Final disposition described In this subsection, the final disposition (A) An order or agreement to pay an award or settlement, including an agreement reached pursuant to mediation under section 404. (B) A final decision of a hearing officer under section 405(g). (C) A final decision of the Board under section 406(e). (D) A final decision in a civil action under section 408. (5) Senior staffer defined In this subsection, the term senior staffer . 113. Availability of remote work assignment or paid leave of absence during pendency of procedures (a) In general Title IV ( 2 U.S.C. 1401 417. Availability of remote work assignment or paid leave of absence during pendency of procedures (a) Options for employees (1) 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 office, during the pendency of any of the procedures available under this title for consideration of the claim, the employing office may permit the covered employee to carry out the employee’s responsibilities from a remote location instead of from a location of the employing office. (2) Exception for work assignments required to be carried out onsite If, in the determination of the covered employee’s employing office, a covered employee who makes a request under this subsection cannot carry out the employee’s responsibilities from a remote location, the employing office may grant paid leave of absence to a covered employee during the pendency of the procedures available under this title for the covered employee. (3) Ensuring no retaliation An employing office may not respond to a covered employee’s request under this subsection in a manner which would constitute a violation of section 207. (b) Exception for arrangements subject to collective bargaining agreements Subsection (a) 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 office. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title IV the following new item: Sec. 417. Availability of remote work assignment or paid leave of absence during pendency of procedures. . 114. Modification of rules on confidentiality of proceedings (a) Claims and investigations Section 416(a) ( 2 U.S.C. 1416(a) (a) Claims and investigations Information relating to the filing of a claim under section 402 and the investigation of a claim under section 403 shall be confidential. Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit a covered employee or an employing office from disclosing any information related to the claim (including information related to the defense of the claim) in the course of any proceeding under this title. . (b) Mediation Section 416(b) ( 2 U.S.C. 1416(b) All mediation All information discussed or disclosed in the course of any mediation 115. Reimbursement by other employing offices of legislative branch of payments of certain awards and settlements (a) Requiring reimbursement Section 415 ( 2 U.S.C. 1415 (e) Reimbursement by employing offices (1) 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 (a) in connection with a claim alleging a violation described in section 402(b)(2)(B) by an employing office (other than an employing office of the House of Representatives or an employing office of the Senate), the Executive Director shall notify the head of the employing office associated with the claim that the payment has been made, and shall include in the notification a statement of the amount of the payment. (2) Reimbursement by office Not later than 180 days after receiving a notification from the Executive Director under paragraph (1), the head of the employing office involved shall transfer to the account described in subsection (a), out of any funds available for operating expenses of the office, a payment equal to the amount specified in the notification. (3) Timetable and procedures for reimbursement The head of an employing office shall transfer a payment under paragraph (2) in accordance with such timetable and procedures as may be established under regulations promulgated by the Office. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to payments made under section 415 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1415 II Improving Operations of Office of Compliance 201. Reports on claims, awards, and settlements (a) Semiannual reports on claims, awards, and settlements (1) Requiring submission and publication of reports Section 301 ( 2 U.S.C. 1381 (A) in subsection (h)(3), by striking complaint claim (B) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (l) Semiannual reports on claims, awards, and settlements (1) In general Not later than 45 days after the first 6-month period of each calendar year, and not later than 45 days after the next 6-month period of each calendar year, the Office shall submit to Congress and publish on the Office’s public website a report listing each award or settlement which was paid during the previous two 6-month periods from the account described in section 415(a) as the result of a claim alleging a violation of part A of title II, including the employing office involved, the amount of the award or settlement, the provision of part A of title II which was the subject of the claim, and (in the case of an award or settlement resulting from a violation described in section 415(d)(1)(B) which was committed personally by a Member or former Member of Congress), whether the Member or former Member is in compliance with the requirement of section 415(d) to reimburse the account for the amount of the award or settlement. (2) Protection of identity of individuals receiving awards and settlements In preparing and submitting the reports required under paragraph (1), the Office shall ensure that the identity or position of any individual who received an award or settlement, or who made an allegation of a violation against an employing office, is not disclosed. . (2) Effective date The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to 2018 and each succeeding year. (b) Report on amounts previously paid (1) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Office of Compliance shall submit to Congress and make available to the public on the Office’s public website a report on all payments made with public funds prior to the date of the enactment of this Act for awards and settlements in connection with violations of section 201(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1311(a) (A) The amount paid for each such award or settlement. (B) The source of the public funds used for the award or settlement, without regard to whether the funds were paid from the account described in section 415(a) of such Act ( 2 U.S.C. 1415(a) (2) Rule of construction regarding identification of House and Senate accounts Nothing in paragraph (1)(B) may be construed to require or permit the Office of Compliance to report the account of any specific office of the House of Representatives or Senate as the source of funds used for an award or settlement. 202. Workplace climate surveys of employing offices (a) Requiring surveys Title III ( 2 U.S.C. 1381 307. Workplace climate surveys of employing offices (a) Requirement To conduct surveys Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, and every 2 years thereafter, the Office shall conduct a survey of employing offices under this Act regarding the workplace environment of such offices. (b) Special inclusion of information on sexual harassment In each survey conducted under this section, the Office shall survey respondents on attitudes regarding sexual harassment. (c) Methodology (1) In general The Office shall conduct each survey under this section in accordance with methodologies established by the Office. (2) Confidentiality Under the methodologies established under paragraph (1), all responses to all portions of the survey shall be anonymous and confidential, and each respondent shall be told throughout the survey that all responses shall be anonymous and confidential. (d) Use of results of surveys The Office shall furnish the information obtained from the surveys conducted under this section to the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. (e) Consultation with Committees The Office shall carry out this section, including establishment of methodologies and procedures under subsection (c), in consultation with the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. (f) Inclusion of Library of Congress For purposes of this section, the Library of Congress shall be considered an employing office. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title III the following new item: Sec. 307. Workplace climate surveys of employing offices. . 203. Record retention Section 301 ( 2 U.S.C. 1381 (m) Record retention The Office shall establish and maintain a program for the permanent retention of its records, including the records of investigations, mediations, hearings, and other proceedings conducted under this Act. . 204. GAO study of management practices (a) Study The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of the management practices of the Office of Compliance. (b) Report to Congress Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a), and shall include in the report such recommendations as the Comptroller General considers appropriate for improvements to the management practices of the Office of Compliance. 205. GAO audit of cybersecurity (a) Audit The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an audit of the cybersecurity systems and practices of the Office of Compliance. (b) Report to Congress Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the audit conducted under subsection (a), 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 Compliance. III Miscellaneous Reforms 301. Extension to unpaid staff of rights and protections against employment discrimination (a) Extension Section 201 ( 2 U.S.C. 1311 (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection: (d) Application to unpaid staff (1) In general Subsections (a) and (b), and section 207, shall apply with respect to any staff of an employing office who carry out official duties of the employing office but who are not paid by the employing office for carrying out such duties, including an intern, an individual detailed to an employing office, or an individual participating in a fellowship program (including an applicant for an internship, a detail position, or a fellowship and a former intern, detailee, or fellow) in the same manner and to the same extent as such subsections and section apply with respect to a covered employee. (2) Rule of construction Nothing in paragraph (1) may be construed to extend liability for a violation of subsection (a) or section 207 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 office. (3) Intern defined The term intern . (b) Technical correction relating to office responsible for disbursement of pay to House employees Section 101(7) ( 2 U.S.C. 1301(7) disbursed by the Clerk of the House of Representatives disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives 302. Coverage of employees of Library of Congress (a) Coverage for purposes of protections against workplace discrimination Section 201 ( 2 U.S.C. 1311 (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection: (e) Coverage of Library of Congress For purposes of this section— (1) the Library of Congress shall be considered an employing office; and (2) the employees of the Library of Congress shall be considered covered employees. . (b) Availability of alternative grievance procedures Section 401 ( 2 U.S.C. 1401 (1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (e) and (f); and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection: (d) Special rule for Library of Congress In the case of an employee of the Library of Congress, the employee may use the alternative grievance procedures of the Library of Congress instead of the procedures under this title for consideration and resolution of an alleged violation of part A of title II, except that if the employee files a claim as provided in section 402 with respect to the alleged violation, the employee may not use any of such alternative grievance procedures for consideration and resolution of the alleged violation. . (c) Other conforming amendments (1) Civil Rights Act of 1964 Section 717(a) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000e–16(a) Smithsonian Institution Library of Congress Smithsonian Institution, and in the Government Publishing Office and the Government Accountability Office (2) Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 Section 15 of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ( 29 U.S.C. 633a (A) in subsection (a), by striking Smithsonian Institution Library of Congress Smithsonian Institution, and in the Government Publishing Office and the Government Accountability Office (B) in subsection (b), by striking the last sentence. (3) Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Section 510 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12209 (A) by amending the matter preceding paragraph (1) to read as follows: The Government Accountability Office and the Government Publishing Office shall be covered as follows: (B) in paragraph (4), by striking section section, instrumentalities of the Congress include the following: the Government Accountability Office and the Government Publishing Office. (d) Effective date (1) In general The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply with respect to claims alleging violations of part A of title II of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1311 (2) Treatment of pending claims under existing procedures If, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, an employee of the Library of Congress has or could have filed a charge or complaint pursuant to procedures of the Library of Congress which were available to the employee prior to such date for the resolution of a claim alleging a violation described in section 402(b)(2)(B) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (including procedures applicable pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement), the employee may complete, or initiate and complete, all such procedures, and such procedures shall remain in effect with respect to, and provide the exclusive procedures for, that charge or complaint until the completion of all such procedures. 303. Clarification of coverage of employees of Stennis Center and Helsinki and China Commissions (a) Coverage of Stennis Center, China Review Commission, Congressional-Executive China Commission, and Helsinki Commission (1) Treatment of employees as covered employees Section 101(3) ( 2 U.S.C. 1301(3) (A) by striking or (B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (I) and inserting ; or (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (J) the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development; (K) the China Review Commission; (L) the Congressional-Executive China Commission; and (M) the Helsinki Commission. . (2) Treatment of Center and Commissions as employing office Section 101(9)(D) ( 2 U.S.C. 1301(9)(D) and the Office of Technology Assessment the Office of Technology Assessment, the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development, the China Review Commission, the Congressional-Executive China Commission, and the Helsinki Commission. (3) Definitions of commissions Section 101 ( 2 U.S.C. 1301 (13) China Review Commission The term China Review Commission 22 U.S.C. 7002 Public Law 106–398 (14) Congressional-Executive China Commission The term Congressional-Executive China Commission Public Law 106–286 22 U.S.C. 6911 (15) Helsinki Commission The term Helsinki Commission An Act to establish a Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe Public Law 94–304 22 U.S.C. 3001 . (b) Legal assistance and representation (1) In general Title V ( 2 U.S.C. 1431 (A) by redesignating section 509 as section 511; and (B) by inserting after section 508 the following: 509. Legal assistance and representation Legal assistance and representation under this Act, including assistance and representation with respect to the proposal or acceptance of the disposition of a claim under this Act, shall be provided to the China Review Commission, the Congressional-Executive China Commission, and the Helsinki Commission— (1) by the House Employment Counsel of the House of Representatives, in the case of assistance and representation in connection with a claim filed under title IV (including all subsequent proceedings under such title in connection with the claim) at a time when the chair of the Commission is a Member of the House; or (2) by the Senate Chief Counsel for Employment of the Senate, in the case of assistance and representation in connection with a claim filed under title IV (including all subsequent proceedings under such title in connection with the claim) at a time when the chair of the Commission is a Senator. . (2) Clerical amendments The table of contents is amended— (A) by redesignating the item relating to section 509 as relating to section 511; and (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 508 the following new item: Sec. 509. Legal assistance and representation. . (c) Conforming Amendments Section 101 ( 2 U.S.C. 1301 through (I) through (M) (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. 304. Training and education programs of other employing offices (a) Requiring offices To develop and implement programs Title V ( 2 U.S.C. 1431 510. Training and education programs of employing offices (a) 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 Act, including the procedures available under this Act to consider alleged violations of this Act. (b) Report to committees (1) In general Not later than 45 days after the beginning of each Congress (beginning with the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress), 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 (a). (2) Special rule for first report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act, each employing office shall submit the report described in paragraph (1) to the Committees described in such paragraph. (c) 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 Senate. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 509 (as amended by section 303(b)(2)) the following new item: Sec. 510. Training and education programs of employing offices. . 305. Application of Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 Section 102 ( 2 U.S.C. 1302 (c) Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 The provisions of this Act that apply to a violation of section 201(a)(1) shall be considered to apply to a violation of title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000ff 42 U.S.C. 2000ff–6(c) . 306. Generally applicable remedies and limitations Section 225 ( 2 U.S.C. 1361 (1) by striking subsection (e); and (2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e). 307. Renaming Office of Compliance as Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (a) Renaming Section 301 ( 2 U.S.C. 1381 (1) in the title heading, by striking Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (2) in subsection (a), by striking Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (b) Conforming amendments to Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 is amended as follows: (1) In section 101(1) ( 2 U.S.C. 1301(1) Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (2) In section 101(2) ( 2 U.S.C. 1301(2) Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (3) In section 101(3)(H) ( 2 U.S.C. 1301(3)(H) Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (4) In section 101(9)(D) ( 2 U.S.C. 1301(9)(D) Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (5) In section 101(10) ( 2 U.S.C. 1301(10) Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (6) In section 101(11) ( 2 U.S.C. 1301(11) Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (7) In section 101(12) ( 2 U.S.C. 1301(12) Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (8) In section 210(a)(9) ( 2 U.S.C. 1331(a)(9) Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (9) In section 215(e)(1) ( 2 U.S.C. 1341(e)(1) Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (10) In section 220(e)(2)(G) ( 2 U.S.C. 1351(e)(2)(G) Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (11) In the heading of title III, by striking Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (12) In section 304(c)(4) ( 2 U.S.C. 1384(c)(4) Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (13) In section 304(c)(5) ( 2 U.S.C. 1384(c)(5) Office of Compliance Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (c) Clerical amendments The table of contents is amended— (1) by amending the item relating to the title heading of title III to read as follows: Title III—Office of Congressional Workplace Rights ; and (2) by amending the item relating to section 301 to read as follows: Sec. 301. Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. . (d) References in other laws, rules, and regulations Any reference to the Office of Compliance in any law, rule, regulation, or other official paper in effect as of the effective date of this Act shall be considered to refer and apply to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. IV Effective Date 401. Effective date (a) In general Except as otherwise provided in this Act, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect upon the expiration of the 180-day period which begins on the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) No effect on pending proceedings (1) In general Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act may be construed to affect any proceeding under title IV of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 which is pending as of the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Treatment of pending claims under existing procedures If, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, a covered employee (as defined in section 101 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1301

Summary: Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act This bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) to revise procedures for initiating, investigating, and resolving claims by legislative branch employees alleging that employing offices have violated their CAA rights and protections, including protections against discrimination and sexual harassment.