I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 9813 
To require the head of each agency to establish a plan relating to the 
safety of Federal employees and contractors physically present at certain 
worksites during a nationwide public health emergency declared for an 
infectious disease, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 
Mr. CONNOLLY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Oversight and Accountability, and in addition to the Committee 
on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To require the head of each agency to establish a plan 
relating to the safety of Federal employees and contrac-
tors physically present at certain worksites during a na-
tionwide public health emergency declared for an infec-
tious disease, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Chai Suthammanont 
Healthy Federal Workplaces Act of 2024’’. 
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SEC. 2. WORKSITE SAFETY FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND 
CONTRACTORS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AGENCY.—The term ‘‘agency’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(2) COVERED CONDITION.—The term ‘‘covered 
condition’’ means an infectious disease that is the 
subject of a nationwide public health emergency. 
(3) COVERED PERIOD.—The term ‘‘covered pe-
riod’’ means a period during which a nationwide 
public health emergency declared for an infectious 
disease is in effect. 
(4) COVERED INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘‘covered 
individual’’ means— 
(A) an employee of an agency; and 
(B) a contractor of an agency, and a sub-
contractor thereof at any tier. 
(5) COVERED WORKSITE.—The term ‘‘covered 
worksite’’ means a worksite at which a covered indi-
vidual is required to be present during a covered pe-
riod. 
(6) EMPLOYEE.—The term ‘‘employee’’ means 
any employee occupying a position in the civil service 
(as that term is defined in section 2101 of title 5, 
United States Code) at an agency. 
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(7) 
NATIONWIDE
PUBLIC
HEALTH
EMER-
GENCY.—The term ‘‘nationwide public health emer-
gency’’ means a nationwide public health emergency 
declared by the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services under section 319 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d), including any renewal 
thereof. 
(8) WORKSITE.—The term ‘‘worksite’’ means— 
(A) in the case of an employee of an agen-
cy, the location of the employee’s position of 
record where the employee regularly performs 
his or her duties, but does not include any loca-
tion where the employee teleworks (as that term 
is defined in section 6501 of title 5, United 
States Code); and 
(B) in the case of a contractor of an agen-
cy (or subcontractor thereof at any tier), the lo-
cation in a facility of the agency where the con-
tractor or subcontractor performs his or her du-
ties under a contract with the agency, or a sub-
contract thereof at any tier, as applicable. 
(b) ISSUANCE OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES BY 
AGENCIES.—Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the head of each agency, in con-
sultation with the Chief Human Capital Officer of the 
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agency and the Assistant Director of Administration of 
the agency (or any individual holding an equivalent posi-
tion), shall— 
(1) establish a plan containing procedures and 
policies for the safety of covered individuals phys-
ically present at worksites during a covered period 
that includes measures to ensure the continuity of 
operations of the agency, including how consistent 
agency mission and program performance and cus-
tomer service levels will be sustained through the 
covered period; 
(2) make such plan available to the public by 
including a prominent link to such plan on the home 
page of the website of the agency; 
(3) provide a link to such plan to the Director 
of the Office of Management and Budget for inclu-
sion on the web page of the Office of Management 
and Budget in accordance with subsection (d); and 
(4) communicate such plan to each covered in-
dividual in such a manner as to ensure that each 
covered individual acknowledges receipt and under-
standing of the plan. 
(c) PLAN.—The plan required under subsection (b) 
shall, at a minimum, include the following: 
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(1) A description of the efforts the agency plans 
to take with respect to mitigating a nationwide pub-
lic health emergency declared for an infectious dis-
ease at worksites, including the following: 
(A) A description of any personal protec-
tive equipment that is being or will be provided 
by the agency to any covered individual phys-
ically present at a worksite during a covered pe-
riod. 
(B) A description of any procedures estab-
lished by the agency for— 
(i) testing covered individuals at work-
sites for a covered condition; 
(ii) identifying covered individuals po-
tentially exposed to an individual who is di-
agnosed with a covered condition, and noti-
fying such individuals of such potential ex-
posure; and 
(iii) addressing differences in data, 
such as the number of cases, hospitaliza-
tions, and deaths, in regions and localities 
if an agency has covered worksites in more 
than one region. 
(2) Guidance on— 
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(A) any cleaning protocols to be imple-
mented at covered worksites; 
(B) occupancy limits for covered worksites; 
and 
(C) the use of personal protective equip-
ment, such as appropriate face coverings, by 
covered individuals while physically present at a 
worksite. 
(3) A description of the actions the agency is or 
will be taking to protect employees of the agency 
who conduct activities in an official capacity while 
not physically present at a covered worksite, includ-
ing employees— 
(A) who are required to travel in an official 
capacity; or 
(B) perform audits or inspections. 
(4) A description of any requirements that 
members of the public are required to meet in order 
to enter a facility in which covered worksites are lo-
cated. 
(5) A description of any alternative option to 
being physically present at a covered worksite that 
is available for employees of the agency who— 
(A) have a high risk of contracting a cov-
ered condition (as determined by the Director 
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of the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion); or 
(B) live in a household with individuals 
who have a high risk of contracting a covered 
condition (as determined by the Director of the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). 
(6) Protocols that ensure the continuity of oper-
ations of the agency, including how consistent agen-
cy mission and program performance and customer 
service levels will be sustained through the covered 
period, to include if the agency adopts enhanced and 
temporary telework and remote work practices as a 
result of an increase in the severity of the nation-
wide public health emergency. 
(7) The hotline website and hotline telephone 
number of the Inspector General of the agency for 
covered individuals to report to the Inspector Gen-
eral any instance in which the agency is not imple-
menting the plan required by this section. 
(8) The hotline website and hotline telephone 
number of the Office of Special Counsel to report a 
substantial and specific danger to public health and 
safety or whistleblower retaliation. 
(d) PUBLICATION OF PLAN.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director 
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of the Office of Management and Budget shall make avail-
able to the public on a single web page of the Office— 
(1) links to each plan provided to the Director 
pursuant to subsection (b)(3); and 
(2) a list identifying any agency that has not 
provided a link pursuant to such subsection. 
(e) COMMUNICATION OF PLAN TO NEW EMPLOYEES, 
CONTRACTORS, AND SUBCONTRACTORS.—Beginning on 
the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the head of an agency shall communicate the 
plan required by subsection (b), in the manner described 
under such subsection, to— 
(1) any new employee of the agency, not later 
than 30 days after the date on which such employee 
is hired; 
(2) any individual or entity that enters into a 
contract with the agency after such date, not later 
than 30 days after the contract is entered into; and 
(3) any individual or entity that enters into a 
subcontract at any tier of a contract with the agency 
after such date, not later than 30 days after the 
subcontract is entered into. 
(f) INSPECTORS GENERAL REPORTS.— 
(1) REPORT
ON
IMPLEMENTATION
OF
THIS 
SECTION.—Not later than 6 months after the date 
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of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General 
of each agency shall submit to the Committee on 
Oversight and Accountability of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report 
on the implementation of this section, including 
whether each agency involved has published and 
communicated the plan required by subsection (b) in 
accordance with this section. 
(2) REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN.— 
Not later than 60 days after the head of an agency 
begins to implement a plan required under sub-
section (b) with respect to a covered condition, the 
Inspector General of each agency shall submit to the 
Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate a report on— 
(A) the extent to which each agency has 
implemented the plan, including identifying any 
concerns for the safety of covered individuals at 
covered worksites that the agency has not fully 
addressed; and 
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(B) the extent to which such plan incor-
porated best practices to contain the spread of 
such covered condition. 
(g) GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE RE-
PORT.—Not later than one year after the date of the en-
actment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to the Committee on Oversight and 
Accountability of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
fairs of the Senate a report on lessons learned by agencies 
and covered individuals during the COVID–19 pandemic 
to further improve the policies and procedures of such 
agencies with respect to— 
(1) the health and safety of covered individuals 
during nationwide public health emergencies de-
clared for infectious diseases; and 
(2) communication to covered individuals dur-
ing nationwide public health emergencies declared 
for infectious diseases. 
(h) APPLICATION.—Nothing in this Act shall be con-
strued to alter or otherwise limit the rights and obligations 
afforded under chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code. 
SEC. 3. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS. 
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, 
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shall be determined by reference to the latest statement 
titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation’’ for this 
Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record 
by the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, pro-
vided that such statement has been submitted prior to the 
vote on passage. 
Æ 
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