I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 588 
To suspend the enforcement of certain civil liabilities of Federal employees 
and contractors during a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 16, 2019 
Mr. KILMER (for himself, Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York, Mr. 
CONNOLLY, Mrs. LEE of Nevada, Mrs. BUSTOS, Mr. KILDEE, Ms. 
KUSTER of New Hampshire, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of 
Pennsylvania, Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts, Mr. CUNNINGHAM, Miss 
RICE of New York, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. PAPPAS, Mrs. DEMINGS, and 
Mr. TED LIEU of California) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the 
Committees on Financial Services, Education and Labor, Ways and 
Means, the Judiciary, and House Administration, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To suspend the enforcement of certain civil liabilities of 
Federal employees and contractors during a lapse in 
appropriations, 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 ‘‘Federal Employees 
Civil Relief Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to provide for the tem-
porary suspension of judicial and administrative pro-
ceedings and transactions that may adversely affect the 
civil rights of Federal workers during a shutdown and the 
30 days following the date that the shutdown ends. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY.—The term 
‘‘consumer reporting agency’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 603(f) of the Fair Credit Report-
ing Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)). 
(2) CONTRACTOR.—The term ‘‘contractor’’ has 
the meaning given the term in section 7101 of title 
41, United States Code. 
(3) COURT; JUDGMENT; STATE.—The terms 
‘‘court’’, ‘‘judgment’’, and ‘‘State’’ have the mean-
ings given those terms in section 101 of the 
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3911). 
(4) COVERED PERIOD.—The term ‘‘covered pe-
riod’’ means the period beginning on the date on 
which a shutdown begins and ending on the date 
that is 30 days after the date on which that shut-
down ends. 
(5) FEDERAL
WORKER.—The term ‘‘Federal 
worker’’— 
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(A) means an employee of a Government 
agency; and 
(B) includes an employee of a contractor. 
(6) GOVERNMENT AGENCY.—The term ‘‘Gov-
ernment agency’’ means each authority of the execu-
tive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government 
of the United States. 
(7) SHUTDOWN.—The term ‘‘shutdown’’ means 
any period in which there is more than a 24-hour 
lapse in appropriations for any Government agency 
or Federal department as a result of a failure to 
enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing res-
olution. 
SEC. 4. JURISDICTION. 
(a) JURISDICTION.—This Act shall apply to— 
(1) the United States; 
(2) each of the States, including each political 
subdivision of a State; 
(3) all territory that is subject to the jurisdic-
tion of the United States; and 
(4) Indian country (as that term is defined in 
section 1151 of title 18, United States Code). 
(b) APPLICABILITY TO PROCEEDINGS.—This Act— 
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(1) shall apply to any judicial or administrative 
proceeding that is commenced in any court or agen-
cy in any jurisdiction that is subject to this Act; and 
(2) shall not apply to criminal proceedings or 
with respect to child support payments. 
(c) COURT
IN
WHICH
APPLICATION
MAY
BE 
MADE.—When, under this Act, any application is required 
to be made to a court in which no proceeding has already 
been commenced with respect to a matter, that application 
may be made to any court that would otherwise have juris-
diction over the matter. 
(d) NOTIFICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The head of the Government 
agency that employs a Federal worker, or at which 
a Federal worker performs services, as applicable, 
shall provide the Federal worker with written notice 
regarding the benefits provided under this Act— 
(A) on the date on which the individual be-
comes a Federal worker; and 
(B) periodically after the date described in 
subparagraph (A), including on the date on 
which any covered period begins. 
(2) LEGISLATIVE
AND
JUDICIAL
BRANCH.— 
With respect to a Federal worker in a Government 
agency in the legislative branch or judicial branch, 
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(or, in the case of a Federal worker who is an em-
ployee of a contractor, who provides services at a 
Government agency in the legislative branch or judi-
cial branch), the officer or employee at the Govern-
ment agency who has the final authority to appoint, 
hire, discharge, and set the terms, conditions, or 
privileges of the employment of the Federal worker 
shall provide the notice required under paragraph 
(1). 
(3) NOTICE ON EVENT OF SHUTDOWN.—A no-
tice provided under paragraph (1)(B) to a Federal 
worker shall include a statement that such Federal 
worker is being furloughed or excepted from fur-
lough (as the case may be) as a result of the appli-
cable shutdown. 
SEC. 5. ANTICIPATORY RELIEF. 
A Federal worker who is furloughed or required to 
work without pay during a covered period may apply to 
a court for a temporary stay, postponement, or suspension 
with respect to any payment of rent, mortgage, tax, fine, 
penalty, insurance premium, student loan repayment, or 
other civil obligation or liability that the Federal worker 
or individual, as applicable, owes or would owe during the 
duration of that covered period. 
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SEC. 6. EVICTIONS. 
(a) COURT-ORDERED EVICTION.—Except by the 
order of a court, a landlord may not, during a covered 
period— 
(1) evict a Federal worker from premises that 
are occupied or intended to be occupied primarily as 
a residence; or 
(2) subject premises described in paragraph (1) 
to a distress. 
(b) STAY OF EXECUTION.— 
(1) COURT AUTHORITY.—Upon an application 
for eviction or distress with respect to premises de-
scribed in subsection (a)(1), a court may, upon mo-
tion of the court, and shall, if a request is made by 
or on behalf of a Federal worker, the ability of 
whom to pay the rent that is the subject of the ac-
tion is materially affected by a shutdown— 
(A) stay the proceedings for a period of 30 
days after the covered period, unless, in the 
opinion of the court, justice and equity require 
a longer or shorter period of time; or 
(B) adjust the obligation under the lease to 
preserve the interests of all parties. 
(2) RELIEF TO LANDLORD.—If a court grants 
a stay under paragraph (1), the court may grant to 
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the landlord (or other person with paramount title) 
such relief as equity may require. 
SEC. 7. MORTGAGE PROTECTION AND FORECLOSURES. 
(a) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘covered 
action’’ means an action relating to an obligation— 
(1) with respect to real or personal property 
owned by a Federal worker; and 
(2) that— 
(A) originated before the date on which a 
covered period begins; 
(B) is in effect on the date on which a cov-
ered period begins; and 
(C) is secured by a mortgage, trust deed, 
or other security in the nature of a mortgage. 
(b) STAY OF PROCEEDINGS AND ADJUSTMENT OF 
OBLIGATION.—If a covered action is filed in a court dur-
ing a covered period, the court may, after a hearing and 
upon the motion of the court, and shall, upon application 
by the Federal worker if the ability of the Federal worker 
to comply with the covered obligation is materially affected 
by the shutdown— 
(1) stay the proceedings for a period of 30 days 
after the covered period, unless, in the opinion of the 
court, justice and equity require a longer or shorter 
period of time; or 
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(2) adjust the obligation to preserve the inter-
ests of all parties. 
(c) SALE OR FORECLOSURE.—A sale, foreclosure, or 
seizure of property for a breach of an obligation described 
in subsection (a) by a Federal worker shall not be valid 
if made during a covered period except upon the order of 
a court that is granted before that sale, foreclosure, or 
seizure, as applicable, with a return made and approved 
by the court. 
SEC. 8. LIENS. 
(a) LIENS.— 
(1) DEFINITION.—In this subsection, the term 
‘‘lien’’ includes— 
(A) a lien— 
(i) for storage, repair, or cleaning of 
the property or effects of a Federal work-
er; and 
(ii) on the property or effects de-
scribed in clause (i) for any reason other 
than a reason described in that clause; and 
(B) a loan that a Federal worker has ob-
tained with respect to a motor vehicle. 
(2) LIMITATION
ON
FORECLOSURE
OR
EN-
FORCEMENT.—A person holding a lien on the prop-
erty or effects of a Federal worker may not, during 
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a covered period, foreclose on or enforce that lien 
without the order of a court that was issued before 
the date on which that foreclosure or enforcement 
occurs. 
(b) STAY
OF PROCEEDINGS.—In a proceeding to 
foreclose on or enforce a lien that is subject to this section, 
a court may, upon the motion of the court, and shall, if 
requested by a Federal worker, the ability of whom to 
comply with the obligation resulting in the proceeding is 
materially affected by a shutdown— 
(1) stay the proceedings for a period of 30 days 
after the covered period, unless, in the opinion of the 
court, justice and equity require a longer or shorter 
period of time; or 
(2) adjust the obligation to preserve the inter-
ests of all parties. 
SEC. 9. STUDENT LOANS. 
(a) DEFINITION OF STUDENT LOAN.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘student loan’’ means the following: 
(1) A loan made, insured, or guaranteed under 
title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), including any Federal Direct 
Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Staf-
ford Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, or Federal 
Direct Consolidation Loan. 
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(2) A private education loan, as such term is 
defined in section 140(a) of the Truth in Lending 
Act (15 U.S.C. 1650(a)). 
(b) APPLICATION TO STUDENT LOANS.—This section 
shall apply to any situation in which— 
(1) the student loan payment of a Federal 
worker falls due or remains unpaid during a covered 
period; and 
(2) during the shutdown applicable to the cov-
ered period described in paragraph (1), the Federal 
worker described in that paragraph has been fur-
loughed or required to work without pay. 
(c) DEFERMENT ELIGIBILITY.—During a covered pe-
riod, a Federal worker shall be eligible for deferment, dur-
ing which, with respect to a student loan, periodic install-
ments of principal need not be paid and interest shall not 
accrue. 
(d) LIMITATION ON DEFAULTS.—If the student loan 
payment of a Federal worker falls due and remains unpaid 
during a covered period, the lender with respect to the stu-
dent loan may not place the loan in default without the 
order of a court. 
(e) LIMITATION ON COLLECTIONS.—If the student 
loan of a Federal worker has been placed in default before 
the date on which a shutdown begins, the lender with re-
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spect to the student loan may not, without the order of 
a court, perform any of the following activities during the 
covered period with respect to the shutdown: 
(1) Send the loan to collection. 
(2) Report adverse information with respect to 
the Federal worker to a consumer reporting agency. 
(3) Garnish wages, tax refunds, or government 
benefits. 
(f) COURT STAY.—In a proceeding to collect a stu-
dent loan payment that is subject to this section, a court 
may, upon the motion of the court, and shall, if requested 
by a Federal worker, the ability of whom to comply with 
the obligation resulting in the proceeding is materially af-
fected by a shutdown— 
(1) stay the proceeding for 30 days after the 
applicable covered period; or 
(2) adjust the obligation to preserve the inter-
ests of all parties. 
SEC. 10. INCOME TAXES. 
(a) DEFERRAL OF TAX.—Upon notice to the Internal 
Revenue Service, the collection of Federal income tax on 
the income of a Federal worker falling due during a cov-
ered period shall be deferred for a period of not more than 
90 days after the date on which the covered period ends 
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if the ability of the Federal worker to pay the income tax 
is materially affected by the shutdown. 
(b) ACCRUAL OF INTEREST OR PENALTY.—No inter-
est or penalty shall accrue during the period of deferment 
under subsection (a) by reason of nonpayment on any 
amount of tax deferred under this section. 
(c) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.—The running of a 
statute of limitations against the collection of tax deferred 
under this section, by seizure or otherwise, shall be sus-
pended for the covered period to which the collection ap-
plies. 
(d) APPLICATION LIMITATION.—This section shall 
not apply to the tax imposed on employees under section 
3101 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
SEC. 11. INSURANCE PROTECTION. 
(a) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘covered 
insurance policy’’ means a policy— 
(1) for— 
(A) health insurance; 
(B) life insurance; 
(C) disability insurance; 
(D) motor vehicle insurance; 
(E) flood insurance; 
(F) homeowners insurance; or 
(G) renters insurance; and 
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(2) that— 
(A) a Federal worker enters into before the 
date on which a covered period begins; and 
(B) is in effect during that covered period. 
(b) INSURANCE PROTECTION.—Without the order of 
a court, a covered insurance policy shall not lapse or other-
wise terminate or be forfeited because a Federal worker 
does not pay a premium, or interest or indebtedness on 
a premium, under the policy that is due during a covered 
period. 
SEC. 12. PROTECTION OF RIGHTS. 
(a) EXERCISE OF RIGHTS UNDER CHAPTER NOT TO 
AFFECT CERTAIN FUTURE FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS.— 
An application by a Federal worker for, or the receipt by 
a Federal worker of, a stay, postponement, or suspension 
under this Act with respect to the payment of a fine, pen-
alty, insurance premium, or other civil obligation or liabil-
ity of that Federal worker shall not itself (without regard 
to other considerations) provide the basis for any of the 
following: 
(1) A determination by a lender or other person 
that the Federal worker is unable to pay the civil ob-
ligation or liability, as applicable, in accordance with 
the terms of the obligation or liability. 
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(2) With respect to a credit transaction between 
a creditor and the Federal worker— 
(A) a denial or revocation of credit by the 
creditor; 
(B) a change by the creditor in the terms 
of an existing credit arrangement; or 
(C) a refusal by the creditor to grant cred-
it to the Federal worker in substantially the 
amount or on substantially the terms requested. 
(3) An adverse report relating to the credit-
worthiness of the Federal worker by or to a person 
engaged in the practice of assembling or evaluating 
consumer credit information. 
(4) A refusal by an insurer to insure the Fed-
eral worker. 
(5) A change in the terms offered or conditions 
required for the issuance of insurance. 
(b) REDUCTION
OR WAIVER
OF FINES
OR PEN-
ALTIES.—If a Federal worker fails to perform an obliga-
tion arising under a contract and a penalty is incurred 
arising from that nonperformance, a court may reduce or 
waive the fine or penalty if— 
(1) the Federal worker was furloughed or re-
quired to work without pay during a shutdown on 
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the date on which the fine or penalty was incurred; 
and 
(2) the ability of the Federal worker to perform 
the obligation was materially affected by the shut-
down described in paragraph (1). 
(c) COURT ACTION UPON MATERIAL AFFECT DE-
TERMINATION.—If a court determines that a Federal 
worker is materially affected by a shutdown in complying 
with a judgment or an order of a court, the court may, 
upon the motion of the court, and shall, on application 
by the Federal worker— 
(1) stay the execution of any judgment or order 
entered against the Federal worker; and 
(2) vacate or stay an attachment or garnish-
ment of property, money, or debts in the possession 
of the Federal worker or a third party, whether be-
fore or after the entry of a judgment. 
(d) DEPENDENTS.—Upon application to a court, a 
dependent of a Federal worker is entitled to the protec-
tions under this Act if the ability of the dependent to com-
ply with a lease, contract, bailment, or other obligation 
is materially affected by reason of the impact of a shut-
down on the Federal worker. 
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SEC. 13. ENFORCEMENT. 
(a) CIVIL ACTION.—The Attorney General may com-
mence a civil action in any appropriate district court of 
the United States against any person that engages in— 
(1) a pattern or practice of violating this Act; 
or 
(2) a violation of this Act that raises an issue 
of significant public importance. 
(b) RELIEF.—In a civil action commenced under sub-
section (a), a court may— 
(1) grant any appropriate equitable or declara-
tory relief with respect to the violation of this Act; 
(2) award all other appropriate relief, including 
monetary damages, to any person aggrieved by the 
violation described in paragraph (1); and 
(3) to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil 
penalty— 
(A) in an amount that is not more than 
$55,000 for a first violation; and 
(B) in an amount that is not more than 
$110,000 for any subsequent violation. 
(c) INTERVENTION.—Upon timely application, a per-
son that is aggrieved by a violation of this Act with respect 
to which a civil action is commenced under subsection (a) 
may— 
(1) intervene in the action; and 
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