To amend title 39, United States Code, to modify the procedures governing the closure or consolidation of postal facilities.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Access to Postal Services Act''.

SEC. 2. MODIFIED PROCEDURES.

    (a) In General.--Section 404(d) of title 39, United States Code, is 
amended by striking the matter before paragraph (5) and inserting the 
following:
    ``(d)(1) Before making any determination under subsection (a)(3) to 
close or consolidate a postal facility, the Postal Service shall 
conduct an investigation to assess the need for the proposed closure or 
consolidation and shall provide appropriate notice to the persons 
served by such postal facility to ensure that such persons will have an 
opportunity to present their views. Such notice shall be made to each 
person by mail, as well as by publication in newspapers of general 
circulation in the area within which such persons reside.
    ``(2) In deciding whether or not to close or consolidate a postal 
facility, the Postal Service--
            ``(A) shall consider--
                    ``(i) the effect such closing or consolidation 
                would have on the community served by such postal 
                facility;
                    ``(ii) the effect such closing or consolidation 
                would have on employees of the Postal Service employed 
                at such postal facility; and
                    ``(iii) whether such closing or consolidation would 
                be consistent with the policy of the Government, as 
                stated in section 101(b), that the Postal Service shall 
                provide a maximum degree of effective and regular 
                postal services to rural areas, communities, and small 
                towns where post offices are not self-sustaining; and
            ``(B) may not consider compliance with any provision of the 
        Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
    ``(3)(A) A decision to proceed with the proposal to close or 
consolidate, following an investigation under paragraph (1), shall be 
made in writing and shall include the findings of the Postal Service 
with respect to each of the considerations specified in paragraph 
(2)(A).
    ``(B) Notice of the decision and findings under subparagraph (A) 
shall be posted prominently in each postal facility that would be 
affected, and notice of the posting shall be sent by mail to all 
persons served by such postal facility, at least 90 days before a final 
determination is made, to ensure that such persons will have an 
opportunity to submit comments.
    ``(C) Any posting under subparagraph (B) shall include the 
following: `This is notice of a proposal to _____ this postal facility. 
A final determination will not be made before the end of the 90-day 
period beginning on the date on which this notice is first posted.', 
with the blank space being filled in with `close' or `consolidate' 
(whichever is appropriate), and with instructions for how any 
interested person may submit comments.
    ``(4) A final determination to close or consolidate a postal 
facility shall be made, in writing, after taking into consideration any 
comments received in the course of the 90-day period referred to in 
paragraph (3). The Postal Service shall take no action to close or 
consolidate a postal facility before the end of the 60-day period 
beginning on the date as of which the Postal Service--
            ``(A) posts a copy of its final determination in a 
        prominent location in each affected postal facility; and
            ``(B) sends to all persons served by such postal facility--
                    ``(i) a notice of such determination; and
                    ``(ii) notice of any appeal rights available with 
                respect to such determination.''.
    (b) Suspension Pending Appeal.--Section 404(d)(5) of title 39, 
United States Code, is amended in the next to last sentence by striking 
``may suspend'' and inserting ``shall suspend''.
    (c) Exception.--Section 404(d) of title 39, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(7) The preceding provisions of this subsection shall not apply 
in the case of a closing or consolidation which occurs--
            ``(A) by reason of an emergency suspension, as defined 
        under regulations of the Postal Service; or
            ``(B) in the case of a leased facility, by reason of the 
        termination or cancellation of the lease by a party other than 
        the Postal Service.''.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 404 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(f) For purposes of subsection (d)--
            ``(1) the term `postal facility' includes an office, 
        branch, station, or other facility which--
                    ``(A) is operated by the Postal Service; and
                    ``(B) provides services to persons described in 
                paragraph (2); and
            ``(2) any reference to the persons served by a postal 
        facility shall include any postal patrons receiving mail 
        delivery service from such postal facility, residents within 
        any ZIP code served by such postal facility, postal patrons 
        having post office boxes at such postal facility, and the 
        relevant local government officials (as defined under 
        regulations of the Postal Service).''.

Summary: Access to Postal Services Act - Modifies the procedures the U.S. Postal Service must follow in connection with the closing or consolidation of any postal facility, including: (1) requiring an assessment of the need for the closure or consolidation; (2) eliminating a requirement to consider the resulting Postal Service economic savings; (3) requiring a posting in each affected postal facility at least 90 days before the final decision is made; and (4) requiring (under current law, allowing) suspension of the determination pending an appeal to the Postal Regulatory Commission. Exempts emergency suspensions (as defined under Postal Service regulations) or lease termination or cancellation by a party other than the Postal Service.

Defines "postal facility," for the provisions amended by this Act, to include an office, branch, station, or other facility operated by the Postal Service.