115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4924 
AN 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 vio-
lated the rights and protections provided to their employ-
ees under such Act, including protections against sexual 
harassment, 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; 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 ex-
pressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment is 
expressed in terms of an amendment to or repeal of a sec-
tion or other provision, the reference shall be considered 
to be made to that section or other provision of the Con-
gressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301 et 
seq.). 
(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 viola-
tions. 
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 per-
sonally by Members. 
Sec. 112. Automatic referral to congressional ethics committees of disposition 
of certain claims alleging violations of Congressional Account-
ability Act of 1995 involving Members of Congress and senior 
staff. 
Sec. 113. Availability of remote work assignment or paid leave of absence dur-
ing 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 employ-
ment discrimination. 
Sec. 302. Coverage of employees of Library of Congress. 
Sec. 303. Clarification of coverage of employees of Helsinki and China Commis-
sions. 
Sec. 304. Training and education programs of other employing offices. 
Sec. 305. Renaming Office of Compliance as Office of Congressional Workplace 
Rights. 
TITLE IV—EFFECTIVE DATE 
Sec. 401. Effective date. 
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. 
(a) PROCEDURES
DESCRIBED.—Section 401 (2 
U.S.C. 1401) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 401. PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION OF ALLEGED 
VIOLATIONS. 
‘‘(a) FILING AND INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS.—Ex-
cept as otherwise provided, 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 em-
ployee alleging the violation, as provided in section 
402; 
‘‘(2) an investigation of the claim, to be con-
ducted 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 be-
lieve that the employing office involved com-
mitted a violation of part A of title II as alleged 
in the covered employee’s claim; or 
‘‘(B) that the General Counsel cannot de-
termine whether or not there is reasonable 
cause to believe that the employing office com-
mitted a violation of part A of title II as alleged 
in the covered employee’s claim. 
‘‘(b) RIGHT
OF EMPLOYEE TO FILE CIVIL AC-
TION.—
‘‘(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 ac-
tion 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.—Not-
withstanding paragraph (2) or paragraph (3) of sub-
section (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 Coun-
sel as provided in section 403 or any subse-
quent 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 RECEIV-
ING FINDING OF NO REASONABLE CAUSE UNDER IN-
VESTIGATION
BY
GENERAL
COUNSEL.—Notwith-
standing paragraph (3), if a covered employee re-
ceives 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 CAP-
ITOL AND CAPITOL POLICE.—In the case of an employee 
of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol or of the Cap-
itol Police, the Office, after receiving a claim filed under 
section 402, may recommend that the employee use the 
grievance procedures of the Architect of the Capitol or the 
Capitol Police for resolution of the employee’s grievance 
for a specific period of time. 
‘‘(d) RIGHTS
OF PARTIES TO RETAIN PRIVATE 
COUNSEL.—Nothing in this title may be construed to limit 
the authority of any individual, including a covered em-
ployee, 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 individual at any point dur-
ing any of the procedures provided under this title 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 REP-
RESENTATION.—Any counsel who represents a party in 
any of the procedures provided under this title shall have 
an obligation to ensure that, to the best of the counsel’s 
knowledge, information, and belief, as formed after an in-
quiry 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 con-
tentions the counsel advocates are warranted by ex-
isting law or by a nonfrivolous argument for extend-
ing, modifying, or reversing existing law or for es-
tablishing new law. 
‘‘(3) The factual contentions have evidentiary 
support or, if specifically so identified, will likely
have evidentiary support after a reasonable oppor-
tunity for further investigation or discovery. 
‘‘(4) The denials of factual contentions are war-
ranted on the evidence or, if specifically so identi-
fied, are reasonably based on belief or a lack of in-
formation.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT RELATING TO CIVIL 
ACTION.—Section 408 (2 U.S.C. 1408) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘section 404’’ and inserting 
‘‘section 401’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘who has completed counseling 
under section 402 and mediation under section 
403’’; and 
(3) by striking the second sentence. 
(c) OTHER CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Title IV is 
amended— 
(1) by striking section 404 (2 U.S.C. 1404); 
and 
(2) by redesignating section 403 (2 U.S.C. 
1403) as section 404. 
(d) 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. 
SEC. 102. REFORM OF PROCESS FOR INITIATION OF PROCE-
DURES. 
(a) INITIATION OF PROCEDURES.—Section 402 (2 
U.S.C. 1402) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 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 Of-
fice shall take such steps as may be necessary for 
the initial intake and recording of the claim, includ-
ing providing the employee with all relevant informa-
tion with respect to the rights of the employee under 
this title, and shall notify the head of the employing 
office of the claim.
‘‘(2) SPECIAL
NOTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS 
FOR CLAIMS BASED ON ACTS COMMITTED PERSON-
ALLY 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 person-
ally by an individual who, at the time of com-
mitting the act, was a Member of the House of 
Representatives (including a Delegate or Resi-
dent Commissioner to the Congress) or a Sen-
ator, upon the filing of the claim under sub-
section (a), the Office shall notify such indi-
vidual of the claim, the possibility that the indi-
vidual may be required to reimburse the ac-
count described in section 415(a) for the 
amount of any award or settlement in connec-
tion with the claim, and the right of the indi-
vidual 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 viola-
tion 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 TRACK-
ING SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF SYS-
TEM.—The Office shall establish and operate an 
electronic reporting 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 oc-
curring with respect to the proceeding under this 
title. 
‘‘(2) ACCESSIBILITY
TO
ALL
PARTIES.—The 
system shall be accessible to all parties to such ac-
tions or proceedings, but only until the completion of 
such actions or proceedings. 
‘‘(3) ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTIVENESS OF PRO-
CEDURES.—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 assess-
ments each year to the Committee on House Admin-
istration of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Sen-
ate. 
‘‘(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 EM-
PLOYEE TO SEEK INFORMATION FROM OFFICE OR PUR-
SUE RELIEF.—Nothing in this section may be construed 
to limit the ability of a covered employee— 
‘‘(1) to contact the Office or any other appro-
priate 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 title; 
‘‘(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 sec-
tion 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.’’. 
SEC. 103. INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS BY GENERAL COUN-
SEL. 
(a) INVESTIGATIONS
DESCRIBED.—Title IV (2 
U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), as amended by section 101(b), is 
further amended by inserting after section 402 the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘SEC. 403. INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS. 
‘‘(a) INVESTIGATION.—Upon the completion of the 
initial processing of a claim under section 402(b), the Gen-
eral Counsel shall conduct an investigation of the claim 
involved. 
‘‘(b) SUBPOENAS.—To carry out an investigation 
under this section, the General Counsel may issue sub-
poenas 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 sec-
tion 405, except that the General Counsel may issue such 
a subpoena on the General Counsel’s own initiative, with-
out regard to whether or not a party requests that the 
General Counsel issue the subpoena. It is the sense of
dent Commissioner to the Congress) or a Sen-
ator, the General Counsel shall transmit the re-
port to— 
‘‘(i) the Committee on Ethics of the 
House of Representatives, in the case of a 
Member of the House (including a Dele-
gate or Resident Commissioner to the Con-
gress); or 
‘‘(ii) the Select Committee on Ethics 
of the Senate, in the case of a Senator. 
‘‘(B) VIOLATIONS
DESCRIBED.—A viola-
tion 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 medi-
ation 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 subsection, 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) is amended as follows: 
(1) In the heading, by striking ‘‘COMPLAINT 
AND’’. 
(2) By amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT
FOR
OFFICE
TO
CONDUCT 
HEARINGS.— 
‘‘(1) HEARING REQUIRED UPON CERTAIN FIND-
INGS BY GENERAL COUNSEL.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If the General Coun-
sel transmits to the Executive Director a report 
on the investigation of a claim under section 
403 which includes a finding described in sub-
paragraph (B), the Office shall conduct a hear-
ing 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 com-
mitted a violation of part A of title II, as 
alleged in a claim filed by a covered em-
ployee; 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 em-
ploying office committed a violation of part 
A of title II, as alleged in the covered em-
ployee’s claim.’’. 
(3) In subsection (c)(1), by striking ‘‘com-
plaint’’ and inserting ‘‘claim’’. 
(4) In subsection (d) in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘complaint’’ and inserting 
‘‘claim’’. 
(5) In subsection (d)(2), by striking ‘‘no later 
than 60 days after filing of the complaint’’ and in-
serting ‘‘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’’ 
and inserting ‘‘claim’’. 
(c) OTHER CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The head-
ing of section 414 (2 U.S.C. 1414) is amended by striking 
‘‘OF COMPLAINTS’’. 
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—The table of contents, 
as amended by section 101(c), is further amended as fol-
lows: 
(1) By inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 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.’’. 
SEC. 104. AVAILABILITY OF MEDIATION DURING INVES-
TIGATIONS. 
(a) OPTION
TO
REQUEST
MEDIATION.—Section 
404(a) (2 U.S.C. 1404(a)), as redesignated by section 
101(c), is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) AVAILABILITY OF MEDIATION DURING INVES-
TIGATION.—At any time during the investigation of a cov-
ered employee’s claim under section 403, the covered em-
ployee 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. 1404(c)), as redesignated by sec-
tion 101(c), is amended to read as follows: ‘‘The mediation 
period may be extended for one additional period of 30 
days at the joint request of the covered employee and em-
ploying office.’’. 
(c) REQUIRING PARTIES TO BE SEPARATED DURING 
MEDIATION
AT
REQUEST
OF
EMPLOYEE.—Section 
404(b)(2) (2 U.S.C. 1404(b)(2)), as redesignated by sec-
tion 101(c), is amended by striking ‘‘meetings with the 
parties separately or jointly’’ and inserting ‘‘meetings with 
the parties during which, at the request of the covered 
employee, the parties shall be separated,’’. 
Subtitle B—Other Reforms 
SEC. 111. REQUIRING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO REIM-
BURSE TREASURY FOR AMOUNTS PAID AS 
SETTLEMENTS AND AWARDS IN CASES OF 
ACTS COMMITTED PERSONALLY BY MEM-
BERS. 
(a) MANDATING
REIMBURSEMENT
OF
AMOUNTS 
PAID.—Section 415 (2 U.S.C. 1415) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(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 subpara-
graph (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 ac-
count for the amount of the award or settle-
ment. 
‘‘(B) VIOLATIONS
DESCRIBED.—A viola-
tion 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) APPLICABLE COMMITTEE DEFINED.— 
In this paragraph, the ‘applicable Committee’ 
means— 
‘‘(i) the Committee on House Admin-
istration 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 Ad-
ministration of the Senate, in the case of 
an individual who, at the time of the with-
holding, 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 de-
scribed in paragraph (1), an individual who is 
a Member of the House of Representatives or a 
Senator has not reimbursed the account as re-
quired under paragraph (1), the Executive Di-
rector of the Federal Retirement Thrift Invest-
ment Board shall make a transfer, from the ac-
count of the individual in the Thrift Savings
Fund to the account described in subsection 
(a), of an amount equal to the award or settle-
ment (reduced by any amount the individual 
has reimbursed, taking into account any 
amounts withheld under paragraph (2)). 
‘‘(B) INITIATION OF TRANSFER.—Notwith-
standing 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 in-
dividual’s spouse or former spouse (as the case 
may be). 
‘‘(4) NOTIFICATION TO OFFICE OF PERSONNEL 
MANAGEMENT
AND
SECRETARY
OF
THE
TREAS-
URY.—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 indi-
vidual under chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 
5, United States Code, and transfer to the ac-
count described in subsection (a), such amounts 
as may be necessary to reimburse the account 
for the payment; and 
‘‘(B) shall notify the Secretary of the 
Treasury, who (if necessary), notwithstanding 
section 207 of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 407), shall take such actions as the Sec-
retary of the Treasury considers appropriate to 
withhold from any payment to the individual 
under title II of the Social Security Act and 
transfer to the account described in subsection 
(a), such amounts as may be necessary to reim-
burse the account for the payment. 
‘‘(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) PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR DEFINED.—In 
this section, the term ‘payroll administrator’ 
means— 
‘‘(A) 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 des-
ignated by the Chief Administrative Officer to 
carry out this subsection; or 
‘‘(B) in the case of an individual who is a 
Senator, the Secretary of the Senate, or an em-
ployee of the Office of the Secretary of the Sen-
ate 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 connec-
tion 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 obliga-
tion’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘an obligation of the Ex-
ecutive 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 
subsection (a) shall apply with respect to payments made 
on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 112. AUTOMATIC REFERRAL TO CONGRESSIONAL ETH-
ICS COMMITTEES OF DISPOSITION OF CER-
TAIN 
CLAIMS 
ALLEGING 
VIOLATIONS 
OF 
CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 
1995 INVOLVING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS 
AND SENIOR STAFF. 
Section 416(e) (2 U.S.C. 1416(d)) is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(e) AUTOMATIC REFERRALS
TO CONGRESSIONAL 
ETHICS COMMITTEES OF DISPOSITIONS OF CLAIMS IN-
VOLVING 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 Representa-
tives (including a Delegate or Resident Commis-
sioner to the Congress) or a Senator, or by a senior 
staff of an employing office of the House of Rep-
resentatives 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 staff 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 
staff of the Senate. 
‘‘(2) ACCESS
TO
RECORDS
AND
INFORMA-
TION.—If the Executive Director refers a claim to a 
Committee under paragraph (1), the Executive Di-
rector shall provide the Committee with access to the 
records of any investigations, hearings, or decisions 
of the hearing officers and the Board under this
title, and any information relating to an award or 
settlement paid, in response to such claim. 
‘‘(3) PROTECTION OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFI-
ABLE INFORMATION.—If a Committee to which a 
claim is referred under paragraph (1) issues a report 
with respect to the claim, the Committee shall en-
sure 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’ of a claim means 
any of the following: 
‘‘(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
STAFF
DEFINED.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘senior staff’ means any individual 
who, at the time a violation occurred, was required
to file a report under title I of the Ethics in Govern-
ment Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 101 et seq.).’’. 
SEC. 113. AVAILABILITY OF REMOTE WORK ASSIGNMENT 
OR PAID LEAVE OF ABSENCE DURING PEND-
ENCY OF PROCEDURES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IV (2 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 417. AVAILABILITY OF REMOTE WORK ASSIGNMENT 
OR PAID LEAVE OF ABSENCE DURING PEND-
ENCY OF PROCEDURES. 
‘‘(a) OPTIONS FOR EMPLOYEES.— 
‘‘(1) REMOTE WORK ASSIGNMENT.—At the re-
quest of a covered employee who files a claim alleg-
ing 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 em-
ployee’s responsibilities from a remote location in-
stead of from the location of the employing office. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION FOR WORK ASSIGNMENTS RE-
QUIRED TO BE CARRIED OUT ONSITE.—If, in the de-
termination of the covered employee’s employing of-
fice, a covered employee who makes a request under 
this subsection cannot carry out the employee’s re-
sponsibilities 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 employ-
ing office may not grant a covered employee’s re-
quest under this subsection in a manner which 
would constitute reprisal or retaliation under 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 
tile IV the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 417. Availability of remote work assignment or paid leave of absence dur-
ing pendency of procedures.’’. 
SEC. 114. MODIFICATION OF RULES ON CONFIDENTIALITY 
OF PROCEEDINGS. 
(a) CLAIMS AND INVESTIGATIONS.—Section 416(a) 
(2 U.S.C. 1416(a)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) CLAIMS AND INVESTIGATIONS.—The filing of a 
claim under section 402 and any investigation of a claim
under section 403 shall be confidential. Nothing in this 
subsection may be construed to prohibit a covered em-
ployee or an employing office from disclosing any informa-
tion 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)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘All mediation’’ and inserting ‘‘All 
information discussed or disclosed in the course of any me-
diation’’. 
SEC. 115. REIMBURSEMENT BY OTHER EMPLOYING OF-
FICES OF LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF PAY-
MENTS OF CERTAIN AWARDS AND SETTLE-
MENTS. 
(a) REQUIRING REIMBURSEMENT.—Section 415 (2 
U.S.C. 1415), as amended by section 111, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(e) REIMBURSEMENT BY EMPLOYING OFFICES.— 
‘‘(1) NOTIFICATION OF PAYMENTS MADE FROM 
ACCOUNT.—As soon as practicable after the Execu-
tive Director is made aware that a payment of an 
award or settlement under this chapter has been 
made from the account described in subsection (a) 
in connection with a claim alleging a violation of sec-
tion 201(a) 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 
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 ac-
count described in subsection (a), out of any funds 
available for operating expenses of the office, a pay-
ment equal to the amount specified in the notifica-
tion. 
‘‘(3) TIMETABLE AND PROCEDURES FOR REIM-
BURSEMENT.—The head of an employing office shall 
transfer a payment under paragraph (2) in accord-
ance 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 on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
TITLE 
II—IMPROVING 
OPER-
ATIONS OF OFFICE OF COM-
PLIANCE 
SEC. 201. REPORTS ON CLAIMS, AWARDS, AND SETTLE-
MENTS. 
(a) SEMIANNUAL REPORTS
ON CLAIMS, AWARDS, 
AND SETTLEMENTS.— 
(1) REQUIRING SUBMISSION AND PUBLICATION 
OF
REPORTS.—Section 301 (2 U.S.C. 1381) is 
amended 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 year from the 
account described in section 415(a) as the result of 
a claim alleging a violation of part A of title II, in-
cluding 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