Congress Leads by Example Act of 2015

To amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to provide enhanced enforcement authority for occupational safety and health protections applicable to the legislative branch, to provide whistleblower protections and other antidiscrimination protections for employees of the legislative branch, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Congress Leads by Example Act of 2015 2. Enhanced enforcement of protections of Occupational Safety and Health Act applicable to legislative branch (a) Subpoena Authority for Office of Compliance Section 215(c)(1) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1341(c)(1) (1) by striking subsections (a), subsections (a), (b), (2) by striking 657(a), 657(a), (b), (b) Recordkeeping Requirements for Employing Offices Section 215(c) of such Act ( 2 U.S.C. 1341(c) (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (6) as paragraphs (4) through (7); (2) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking paragraph (3) or (4) paragraph (4) or (5) (3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph: (3) Recordkeeping requirements Each employing office shall be subject to the requirements of subsection (c) of section 8 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 ( 29 U.S.C. 657(c) . (c) Prohibiting Retaliation (1) In general Section 215 of such Act ( 2 U.S.C. 1341 (A) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) as subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h); and (B) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection: (d) Prohibiting retaliation (1) In general An employing office may not discharge or in any manner discriminate against any covered employee because such employee has requested the General Counsel to take any action authorized under this section, or has instituted or caused to be instituted, or has testified or is about to testify in, any proceeding that arises from the application of this section to the employing office, or because of the exercise by such employee on behalf of himself or others of any right provided under this section. (2) Enforcement (A) Charge filed with general counsel Any covered employee who believes that he has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by an employing office in violation of paragraph (1) may file a charge against the employing office with the General Counsel not later than 180 days after the occurrence of the alleged violation. The General Counsel shall investigate the charge. (B) Mediation If, upon investigation under subparagraph (A), the General Counsel believes that a violation of paragraph (1) may have occurred and that mediation may be helpful in resolving the dispute, the General Counsel may request mediation under subsections (b) through (e) of section 403 between the covered employee and the employing office. (C) Complaint; hearing; Board review If mediation under subparagraph (B) has not succeeded in resolving the dispute (or if the General Counsel does not request mediation under such subparagraph) and the General Counsel believes that a violation of paragraph (1) may have occurred, the General Counsel may file with the Office a complaint against the employing office. The complaint shall be submitted to a hearing officer for decision pursuant to subsections (b) through (h) of section 405 and any person who has filed a charge under subparagraph (A) may intervene as of right, with the full rights of a party. The decision of the hearing officer shall be subject to review by the Board pursuant to section 406. (D) Judicial review An individual who is aggrieved by a final decision of the Board under subparagraph (C) may file a petition for review in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, pursuant to section 407. . (2) Conforming amendments Section 215 of such Act ( 2 U.S.C. 1341 (A) in subsection (g), as redesignated by paragraph (1)(A), by striking subsection (e)(1) subsection (f)(1) subsection (e)(2) subsection (f)(2) (B) in subsection (h)(1), as redesignated by paragraph (1)(A), by striking (e)(3) (f)(3) (d) Effective Date (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall take effect upon the adoption of regulations promulgated by the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance to implement the amendments in accordance with section 304 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1384 (2) Interim applicability During the period that begins on the date of the enactment of this Act and ends on the effective date of the regulations referred to in paragraph (1), the amendments made by this section shall be implemented by the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance, the General Counsel of the Office of Compliance, or a hearing officer or court under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (as the case may be) by applying (to the extent necessary and appropriate) the most relevant substantive executive agency regulations promulgated to implement the provisions of law that are made applicable to employing offices and covered employees (as such terms are defined in the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995) by such amendments. 3. Application to legislative branch employees of whistleblower protection rules and restrictions on discharge by reason of garnishment and discriminatory treatment by reason of bankruptcy (a) In General Part A of title II of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1311 et seq. (1) in the heading, by striking fair labor standards, and other protections and benefits (2) by redesignating section 207 as section 209; and (3) by inserting after section 206 the following new sections: 207. Rights and protections under whistleblower protection rules (a) Rights and Protections Described (1) In general No employing office may take or fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take, a personnel action (within the meaning of chapter 23 (A) any disclosure of information by a covered employee or applicant which the employee or applicant reasonably believes evidences— (i) a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or (ii) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, if such disclosure is not specifically prohibited by law and if such information is not specifically required by Executive order or the rules of the House of Representatives or Senate to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs; or (B) any disclosure to the General Counsel, or to the Inspector General of an executive agency or office of the legislative branch or another employee designated by the head of the agency or office to receive such disclosures, of information which the employee or applicant reasonably believes evidences— (i) a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or (ii) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. (2) Definitions For purposes of this section and for purposes of applying the procedures established under title IV for the consideration of alleged violations of this section— (A) the term covered employee (B) the term employing office (b) Remedy The remedy for a violation of subsection (a) shall be such remedy as would be appropriate if awarded under chapter 12 (c) Regulations To Implement Section (1) In general The Board shall, pursuant to section 304, issue regulations to implement this section. (2) Agency regulations The regulations issued under paragraph (1) shall be the same as the substantive regulations promulgated by the Merit Systems Protection Board to implement chapters 12 and 23 of title 5, United States Code, except to the extent that the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance may determine, for good cause shown and stated together with the regulation, that a modification of such regulations would be more effective for the implementation of the rights and protections under this section. 208. Restriction on discharge from employment by reason of garnishment or discriminatory treatment by reason of bankruptcy (a) Garnishment (1) Rights and protections described No employing office may discharge any covered employee by reason of the fact that the employee’s earnings have been subjected to garnishment for any one indebtedness. (2) Remedy The remedy for a violation of paragraph (1) shall be such remedy as would be appropriate if awarded under section 304(b) of the Consumer Credit Protection Act 15 U.S.C. 1674(b) (b) Bankruptcy (1) Rights and protections described No employing office may deny employment to, terminate the employment of, or discriminate with respect to employment against, a covered employee who is or has been a debtor under title 11, United States Code, or a bankrupt or a debtor under the Bankruptcy Act, or another covered employee with whom such bankrupt or debtor has been associated, solely because such bankrupt or debtor— (A) is or has been a debtor under such title or a debtor or bankrupt under such Act; (B) has been insolvent before the commencement of a case under such title or during the case but before the grant or denial of a discharge; or (C) has not paid a debt that is dischargeable in a case under such title or that was discharged under such Act. (2) Remedy The remedy for a violation of paragraph (1) would be such remedy as would be appropriate if awarded with respect to a violation of section 525(a) or (b) of title 11, United States Code. (c) Definitions For purposes of this section and for purposes of applying the procedures established under title IV for the consideration of alleged violations of this section— (1) the term covered employee (2) the term employing office (d) Regulations To Implement Section (1) In general The Board shall, pursuant to section 304, issue regulations to implement this section. (2) Agency regulations The regulations issued under paragraph (1) shall be the same as the substantive regulations promulgated to implement section 304 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act 15 U.S.C. 1674 . (b) Conforming Amendment to Bankruptcy Code Section 525 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) (1) In the case of an alleged violation of subsection (a) or (b) by a governmental unit which is a legislative branch employing office with respect to an employee of such office who is a legislative branch covered employee, the procedures for consideration of the alleged violation shall consist of the procedures applicable under title IV of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. (2) In this subsection— (A) the term legislative branch employing office (B) the term legislative branch covered employee . (c) Other Conforming Amendment Section 102(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1302(a) (12) Section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code. (13) Section 304 of the Consumer Credit Protection Act 15 U.S.C. 1674 (14) Section 525 of title 11, United States Code. . (d) Clerical Amendment The table of contents for part A of title II of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 is amended— (1) in the item relating to part A, by striking Fair Labor Standards, and Other Protections and Benefits (2) by redesignating the item relating to section 207 as relating to section 209; and (3) by inserting after the item relating to section 206 the following: Sec. 207. Rights and protections under whistleblower protection rules. Sec. 208. Restriction on discharge from employment by reason of garnishment or discriminatory treatment by reason of bankruptcy. . 4. Requiring retention of records necessary to administer anti-discrimination laws applicable to covered employees (a) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Americans with Disabilities Act Section 201 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1311 (1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (d) and (e); and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection: (c) Retention of Records (1) Requiring employing offices to retain records necessary to administer rights and protections To the extent that the following provisions of law require the keeping of records necessary or appropriate for the administration of this section, such provisions of law shall apply to employing offices: (A) Section 709(c) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000e–8(c) (B) Section 7(a) of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ( 29 U.S.C. 626(a) (C) Section 107(a) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12117(a) (2) Effective date This subsection shall apply with respect to records generated on or after the expiration of the 60-day period that begins on the date of the enactment of this subsection. . (b) Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (1) In general Section 202(a)(1) of such Act ( 2 U.S.C. 1312(a)(1) sections 101 through 105 sections 101 through 105 and section 106(b) (2) Effective date (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), the amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect upon the adoption of regulations promulgated by the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance to implement the amendment. (B) Interim applicability During the period that begins on the date of the enactment of this Act and ends on the effective date of the regulations referred to in subparagraph (A), the amendment made by paragraph (1) shall be implemented by the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance or a hearing officer or court under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (as the case may be) by applying (to the extent necessary and appropriate) the most relevant substantive executive agency regulations promulgated to implement the provision of law that is made applicable to employing offices and covered employees (as such terms are defined in the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995) by such amendment. (c) Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (1) In general Section 203(a)(1) of such Act ( 2 U.S.C. 1313(a)(1) (A) by striking and section 12(c) section 11(c), and section 12(c) (B) by striking 212(c) 211(c), 212(c) (2) Effective date (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), the amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect upon the adoption of regulations promulgated by the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance to implement the amendment. (B) Interim applicability During the period that begins on the date of the enactment of this Act and ends on the effective date of the regulations referred to in subparagraph (A), the amendment made by paragraph (1) shall be implemented by the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance or a hearing officer or court under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (as the case may be) by applying (to the extent necessary and appropriate) the most relevant substantive executive agency regulations promulgated to implement the provision of law that is made applicable to employing offices and covered employees (as such terms are defined in the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995) by such amendment. 5. Requiring employing offices to post notice of rights of covered employees and provide training regarding rights and remedies (a) In General Title V of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. 507. Requiring employing offices to post notice of rights of covered employees and provide training regarding rights and remedies (a) Notices of Rights Each employing office shall post and keep posted (in conspicuous places upon its premises where notices to covered employees are customarily posted) notices provided by the Board that describe the rights and protections applicable to covered employees of the office under this Act or any other Federal law made applicable to covered employees pursuant to this Act. (b) Training Each employing office shall provide to the covered employees of such office training regarding the rights and protections and remedies applicable to such employees under this Act or any other Federal law relating to the terms and conditions of employment. (c) Effective date This section shall take effect 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section. . (b) Clerical Amendment The table of contents of such Act is amended by amending the item relating to section 507 to read as follows: Sec. 507. Requiring employing offices to post notice of rights of covered employees and provide training regarding rights and remedies. . 6. Coverage of legislative branch employees under rules protecting jurors’ employment (a) In General Section 1875(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking (a) (a)(1) (2) by adding at the end the following: (2) In this section— (A) the term employer (B) the term permanent employee . (b) Effective Date The amendments made by subsection (a) apply with respect to individuals summoned for juror service or serving on juries on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Congress Leads by Example Act of 2015 This bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) to grant the Office of Compliance (OOC) subpoena authority under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) for inspections and investigations in offices covered by the CAA (Congressional offices and committees, the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services, the Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office, the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, the Office of the Attending Physician, and the OOC) and in the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Library of Congress (LOC). CAA-covered offices, the GAO, and the LOC are subject to OSH Act recordkeeping requirements and may not: (1) retaliate against employees for requesting OOC action or for instituting or testifying in any proceeding that arises from the application of the OSH Act to that office, (2) fire an employee because the employee's earnings have been garnished for any one debt, or (3) discriminate against an employee for being a debtor or bankrupt. Whistle-blower protections are extended to employees of CAA-covered offices, the GAO, and the LOC. CAA-covered offices must: (1) retain records necessary to administer certain rights and protections of employees under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938; and (2) post conspicuously all notices describing employee rights and protections under federal law. This bill amends the federal judicial code to extend protections for jurors' employment to CAA-covered offices, the GAO, the Government Publishing Office, and the LOC.