Building the Next Generation of Federal Employees Act
Bill: H.R.6104 | Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. (D-VA)
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
Building the Next Generation of Federal Employees Act
This bill expands access to federal internships, provides for an internship preference, and allows for federal agencies to reimburse student interns for expenses.
Specifically, the bill requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to:
The bill also increases the number of recent college graduates that an agency head may hire through expedited hiring authority, creates a competitive hiring preference for former interns and fellows, and alllows executive agencies to reimburse student interns for transportation and subsistence expenses.

To promote Federal internships and fellowships to prepare the next 
        generation of Federal employees, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Building the Next 
Generation of Federal Employees Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Federal internship and fellowship center.
Sec. 4. Internship coordinator.
Sec. 5. Online Federal Government internship platform.
Sec. 6. Underserved markets and demographics recruitment pilot program.
Sec. 7. Compensation for Federal interns.
Sec. 8. Establishment of pathways program.
Sec. 9. Enhanced hiring for recent college graduates and post-secondary 
                            students.
Sec. 10. Information on use of expedited hiring authority for college 
                            graduates.
Sec. 11. Competitive service examination credit.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Civil service.--The term ``civil service'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 2101 of title 5, United 
        States Code.
            (2) Executive agency.--The term ``Executive agency'' has 
        the meaning given that term in section 105 of title 5, United 
        States Code.
            (3) Fellowship.--The term ``fellowship'' means a short-term 
        position (other than a post-fellowship service requirement) 
        that--
                    (A) is not less than one year and not more than two 
                year in length, or such other period as determined 
                appropriate by the Director of the Office of Personnel 
                Management for the purposes of this paragraph; and
                    (B) is intended to provide the recipient with work 
                experience with an Executive agency that is designed to 
                prepare such recipient for potential permanent 
                employment with an Executive agency.
            (4) Fellow.--The term ``fellow'' means an individual who 
        receives a fellowship.
            (5) Fellowship program.--The term ``fellowship program'' 
        means any sponsoring agency program or operation that recruits 
        fellows and administers fellowships in the Federal Government.
            (6) Intern.--The term ``intern'' means an individual 
        serving in an internship. Interns employed by third-party 
        internship providers and placed in Executive agencies may, to 
        the extent permitted by law or regulation, be treated as 
        participants in any federally sponsored internship programs.
            (7) Internship.--The term ``internship'' means a short-term 
        position (other than a post-fellowship service requirement) for 
        an individual enrolled in a high school, trade school, 
        technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, 
        university, or comparable recognized educational institution, 
        or the Job Corps program, that is not less than one year and 
        not more than two years in length (or such other period as 
        determined appropriate by the Director of the Office of 
        Personnel Management for the purposes of this paragraph), 
        designed to prepare such individual for potential permanent 
        employment with an Executive agency, and offered under an 
        internship program. Interns at Executive agencies who are 
        supported or administered by third-party internship providers 
        may, to the extent permitted by law and regulations, be treated 
        as participants in any federally sponsored internship program.
            (8) Internship program.--The term ``internship program'' 
        has the meaning given that term in section 3111a(c)(1) of title 
        5, United States Code.
            (9) Job corps program.--The term ``Job Corps'' means the 
        Job Corps program authorized under section 143 of the Workforce 
        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3193 et seq.).
            (10) Mission-critical skill.--The term ``mission-critical 
        skill'' means a skill or set of skills that are critical to 
        effectively carrying out the mission of an Executive agency, as 
        determined by the head of such Executive agency in consultation 
        with the Comptroller General of the United States.
            (11) Mission-critical skill gap.--The term ``mission-
        critical skill gap'' means a shortage of mission-critical 
        skills causing, or that poses a risk of causing, a substantial 
        detrimental effect on the ability of an Executive agency to 
        effectively carry out the mission of such Executive agency in a 
        manner that is cost effective, as determined by the head of 
        such Executive agency in consultation with the Comptroller 
        General of the United States.
            (12) Scholarship.--The term ``scholarship'' means financial 
        support--
                    (A) paid by an Executive agency towards--
                            (i) the cost of an individual to attend 
                        either a course of study leading to a 
                        credential that help reduce or eliminate a 
                        mission-critical skill gap or another program 
                        that requires the student to demonstrate an 
                        interest in or agreement to pursue a career in 
                        public service at an institution of higher 
                        education that is authorized to participate in 
                        a Federal student aid program under title IV of 
                        the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                        1070 et seq.); or
                            (ii) financial support paid by a Executive 
                        agency towards the cost of an individual to 
                        procure private instruction in a mission-
                        critical skill; and
                    (B) which may be paid directly to--
                            (i) the individual whose costs the 
                        scholarship is intended to pay; or
                            (ii) the institutions of higher education 
                        in which such individual is enrolled.
            (13) Sponsoring agency.--The term ``sponsoring agency'' 
        means any entity of the executive branch of the United States 
        Government, including any Executive agency, any component of 
        the Department of Veterans Affairs, and any other agency (as 
        defined in section 551 of title 5, United States Code), that 
        administers a fellowship or scholarship, or internship program.

SEC. 3. FEDERAL INTERNSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP CENTER.

    (a) Establishment of Federal Internship and Fellowship Center.--The 
Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall establish and 
maintain a Federal Fellowship and Scholarship Center to administer, 
manage, and promote all Government fellowship and internship programs 
within the executive branch to attract individuals to serve in the 
Federal Government in a civilian capacity and to facilitate the 
potential entry of those individuals into the civil service.
    (b) Management of Federal Internship and Fellowship Center.--
            (1) Chief human capital officers council guidance.--The 
        Chief Human Capital Officers Council shall provide strategic 
        guidance to, and facilitate interagency cooperation with, the 
        head of the Federal Internship and Fellowship Center to help 
        such head more effectively--
                    (A) identify and attract interns to the civil 
                service; and
                    (B) recruit and hire interns who successfully 
                complete internships into the civil service.
            (2) Regulations.--The Director shall issue such regulations 
        as may be necessary to implement and manage the Federal 
        Internship and Fellowship Center, including the regulations 
        described in section 11(d).
    (c) Functions of the Federal Internship and Fellowship Center.--The 
head of the Federal Internship and Fellowship Center shall do the 
following:
            (1) Establish, maintain, and operate an internet-based 
        platform as part of the Platform established under section 5, 
        that is accessible to the public and contains information 
        regarding every internship and fellowship described in section 
        11(a), and every scholarship opportunity, available in the 
        executive branch of the Federal Government, including 
        information on how individuals may apply for each such 
        opportunity.
            (2) Promote, and facilitate internship, fellowship, and 
        scholarship programs at the request of any sponsoring agency to 
        meet workforce requirements of such sponsoring agency, 
        especially in mission-critical skill areas.
            (3) Develop a standard application for Federal internships 
        and fellowships for use by applicants and sponsoring agencies 
        as part of the Platform established under section 5, which may 
        be supplemented by additional requirements of each sponsoring 
        agency.
            (4) Ensure eligibility for an appointment under subsection 
        (d) to a position in the civil service for all individuals 
        who--
                    (A)(i) successfully complete at least one year of 
                an internship or fellowship that is part of an 
                internship or fellowship program that is certified 
                under subsection (f); or
                    (ii) are the recipients of scholarships; and
                    (B)(i) have obtained a qualifying degree or 
                completed a qualifying career or technical education 
                program, as determined by the Director; or
                    (ii) are graduates (as defined in section 142 of 
                the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
                3192)).
            (5) Develop a standard post-fellowship or post-internship 
        exit interview for use by sponsoring agencies to solicit 
        feedback and input from fellows and interns about their 
        experiences while performing Federal service.
            (6) Develop and promote best practices guidance for 
        agencies on building effective internship and fellowship 
        programs.
            (7) Take such actions as the Director determines necessary 
        to help Federal agencies identify and recruit fellows and 
        interns who could serve as the next generation of Federal 
        public servants.
    (d) Limited Noncompetitive Eligibility.--Under such regulations as 
the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe, a 
sponsoring agency may make a noncompetitive appointment leading to 
conversion to career or career-conditional employment of each 
individual described in subsection (c)(4).
    (e) Sponsoring Agency Reporting.--
            (1) Office of personnel management.--
                    (A) In general.--The head of each sponsoring agency 
                shall submit to the Director a report on the internship 
                and fellowship programs of, and scholarship programs 
                offered by, the sponsoring agency at such time, in such 
                manner, and containing such information as the Director 
                determines appropriate.
                    (B) Regulations.--Not later than 120 days after the 
                date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall 
                issue regulations for the reports required by 
                subparagraph (A).
            (2) Federal internship and fellowship center.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the 
                date of the enactment of this Act, and not less than 
                every two years thereafter, the head of each sponsoring 
                agency shall submit to the head of the Federal 
                Internship and Fellowship Center the plan of the 
                sponsoring agency--
                            (i) regarding intern and fellow training 
                        and engagement; and
                            (ii) for ensuring that interns and fellows 
                        who complete an internship or fellowship, 
                        respectively, of the sponsoring agency qualify 
                        for the competitive service examination credit 
                        under section 11.
                    (B) Plan approval.--
                            (i) In general.--The head of the Federal 
                        Internship and Fellowship Center shall approve 
                        or disapprove each plan submitted under 
                        subparagraph (A).
                            (ii) Disapproval notice and support.--If 
                        the head of the Federal Internship and 
                        Fellowship Center disapproves of a plan 
                        submitted under subparagraph (A), the head 
                        shall--
                                    (I) provide notice of the 
                                disapproval and an explanation why the 
                                plan was disapproved to the head of the 
                                sponsoring agency that submitted the 
                                plan; and
                                    (II) provide technical assistance 
                                to such sponsoring agency to resolve 
                                the deficiencies of such plan and 
                                resubmit it for approval.
                    (C) Competitive service examination credit.--
                            (i) In general.--If a sponsoring agency 
                        fails to submit a plan required under 
                        subparagraph (A) or that submits a plan that is 
                        disapproved under subparagraph (B), the interns 
                        and fellows participating in an internship or 
                        fellowship of such sponsoring agency shall be 
                        ineligible for competitive service examination 
                        credit under section 11 until the date on which 
                        such sponsoring agency submits a plan described 
                        in subparagraph (A) and the head of the Federal 
                        Internship and Fellowship Center approves such 
                        plan.
                            (ii) Exception.--Clause (i) does not apply 
                        with respect to a sponsoring agency that 
                        submits a plan that is disapprove under 
                        subparagraph (B) if, during the two-year period 
                        immediately preceding such disapproval, such 
                        sponsoring agency submitted a plan that was 
                        approved under subparagraph (B).
    (f) Internship Provider Certification.--
            (1) In general.--The head of the Federal Internship and 
        Fellowship Center shall certify each internship or fellowship 
        program of each sponsoring agency or third-party internship 
        provider that the head determines--
                    (A) demonstrates a track record of recruiting 
                diverse intern and fellow talent pools, as applicable, 
                for at least the previous three years;
                    (B) possesses a meaningful training and development 
                program for interns and fellows, as applicable;
                    (C) uses a non-partisan, merit-based selection 
                process;
                    (D) provides career counseling services to interns 
                and fellows, as applicable;
                    (E) in the case of a sponsoring agency, provides to 
                the Office of Personnel Management the plans of such 
                sponsoring agency described subsection (e)(2); and
                    (F) any other standards that the head of the 
                Federal Internship and Fellowship Center determines 
                appropriate.
            (2) Third-party provider additional requirements.--To 
        ensure the advancement of merit systems principles and 
        efficient administration of internship and fellowship programs, 
        the head of the Federal Internship and Fellowship Center may 
        impose additional requirements on a third-party internship 
        provider before certifying the internships or fellowships 
        programs of such third-party internship provider under 
        paragraph (1).
    (g) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Career appointee.--The term ``career appointee'' has 
        the meaning given such term in section 3132(a) of title 5, 
        United States Code.
            (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the Office of Personnel Management.

SEC. 4. INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR.

    (a) Internship Coordinator.--Each internship coordinator appointed 
under section 3111a of title 5, United States Code, shall--
            (1) serve as the main point of contact at the sponsoring 
        agency on all issues related to fellowships, scholarships, and 
        internships;
            (2) establish a mentor program for interns and fellows at 
        the agency that incorporates best practices as determined by 
        the Federal Internship and Fellowship Center pursuant to 
        section 2(c); and
            (3) generate and submit, in accordance with subsection 
        (c)(1), an annual report for the one-year period ending on 
        September 1 of the year in which such report is submitted 
        including--
                    (A) the number of interns and fellows who served at 
                the sponsoring agency;
                    (B) a list of third-party organizations that 
                supplied internships or fellowships to the sponsoring 
                agency;
                    (C) information regarding the demographic 
                characteristics of interns and fellows at such agency, 
                including, but not limited to educational background, 
                age, race, gender, and ethnicity, except that no intern 
                or fellow may be required to provide such demographic 
                characteristics for the purposes of such report;
                    (D) a description of the steps taken by the 
                sponsoring agency to prepare and recruit successful 
                interns and fellows for positions in the civil service;
                    (E) a description of any barriers to hiring interns 
                or fellows who successfully complete their internships 
                or fellowships, respectively;
                    (F) a description of activities engaged in the 
                sponsoring agency to recruit new interns and fellows, 
                including descriptions of locations visited, methods 
                used, and schools and stakeholder organizations 
                engaged;
                    (G) a list of the position descriptions for the 
                internships and fellowships offered at each sponsoring 
                agency;
                    (H) a description of the mentorship programs of 
                such internship and fellowship programs;
                    (I) a summary of exit interviews conducted and 
                surveys administered by a sponsoring agency with 
                respect to interns and fellows upon their completion of 
                an internship or fellowship program at such agency; and
                    (J) other information as determined necessary by 
                the internship coordinator.
    (b) In General.--The head of each sponsoring agency shall submit, 
in accordance with subsection (c)(1), an annual report for the one-year 
period ending on October 1 of the year in which such report is 
submitted assessing each fellowship and internship program of such 
sponsoring agency in which fellows or interns, respectively, 
participated during the reporting period.
    (c) Submission.--
            (1) Report to opm.--Each report required under subsection 
        (a) or (b) shall be submitted to the Office of Personnel 
        Management between October 1 and October 31 of each year.
            (2) Congressional report.--Not later than December 30 of 
        each year, the Office of Personnel Management shall submit to 
        Congress a report summarizing the information submitted to the 
        Office of Personnel Management in accordance with paragraph (1) 
        for such year.
    (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed as overriding or otherwise permitting any action not 
permitted under section 552a of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 5. ONLINE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERNSHIP PLATFORM.

    (a) Establishment of an Online Federal Government Internship 
Platform.--The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall 
establish, maintain, and promote an interactive and integrated 
internet-based platform (in this section referred to as the 
``Platform'') to serve as a centralized resource and database for the 
public to learn about and connect with agencies and internship 
opportunities in Federal public service and for agencies with 
internship needs and opportunities to identify skill sets and 
individuals with the skills necessary to address their needs.
    (b) Use of the Service Platform.--
            (1) Public accessibility.--The Director shall determine, 
        and make accessible to the public on the Platform, information 
        about Federal internship, fellowship, and scholarship service 
        organizations and opportunities, without any requirement that a 
        person seeking such access become a member of the Platform.
            (2) Information on federal agency.--Each Executive agency 
        that hosts interns or fellows shall make available on the 
        Platform--
                    (A) information sufficient for the public to 
                identify and understand the internship and fellowship 
                opportunities and mission of the Executive agency;
                    (B) information on the availability of internship, 
                fellowship, and scholarship opportunities of the 
                Executive agency, including location and duration;
                    (C) internet links to the hiring and recruiting 
                websites of the Executive agency; and
                    (D) such additional information as the Director may 
                determine.
    (c) Minimum Design Requirements.--In addition to the requirements 
set forth in this section, the Platform shall do the following:
            (1) Provide the public with access to information on 
        internship, fellowship, and scholarship opportunities that is 
        user-friendly, interactive, accessible, and fully functional 
        through mobile applications and other widely used 
        communications media, without a requirement that any person 
        seeking such access register as a member.
            (2) Provide individuals with the ability to register as 
        members to customize their experience, including mechanisms to 
        connect members with agency internship coordinators and 
        internship, fellowship, and scholarship opportunities that 
        match the interests of the members, and ensure robust search 
        capabilities to facilitate the ability of members to explore 
        Federal internship, fellowship, and scholarship opportunities.
            (3) Include mechanisms to enable agencies to connect with 
        members who have consented to be contacted and meet the needs 
        of sponsoring agencies.
            (4) Incorporate, to the extent permitted by law and 
        regulation, the ability of members to securely upload 
        information on education, employment, and skills, knowledge, 
        and abilities, consistent with security requirements.
            (5) Ensure compatibility, to the greatest extent possible, 
        with relevant information systems of Executive agencies.
            (6) Retain all personal information in a manner that 
        protects the privacy of members in accordance with section 552a 
        of title 5, United States Code, and other applicable law, 
        provide access to information relating to a member only in 
        accordance with the consent of the member, and incorporate data 
        security and control policies that are adequate to ensure the 
        confidentiality and security of information provided and 
        maintained on the internet-based platform.
    (d) Development of Service Platform Plan.--
            (1) Implementation plan.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall develop a 
        detailed plan to implement the internet-based platform that 
        complies with all the requirements of this section.
            (2) Consultation required.--In developing the plan under 
        this subsection, the Director shall consult with the head of 
        the United States Digital Service, the Chief Human Capital 
        Officers Council, and as needed, the heads of other Executive 
        agencies. Such consultation may include seeking assistance in 
        the design, development, and creation of the internet-based 
        platform.
    (e) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 12 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and every 12 months thereafter, the 
Director shall provide a report to Congress on the internet-based 
platform. Such report shall include information on the following:
            (1) Details on the status of implementation of the 
        internet-based platform and plans for further development of 
        it.
            (2) Participation rates of sponsoring agencies and members.
            (3) The number of individuals visiting the internet-based 
        platform, the number of agencies participating in the platform, 
        and the number of internship opportunities posted on the 
        internet-based platform in the preceding 12-month period.
            (4) Any cybersecurity or privacy concerns associated with 
        the internet-based platform.
            (5) The results of any surveys or studies undertaken to 
        increase the use and efficacy of the internet-based platform.
            (6) Any additional information the Director considers 
        appropriate.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Office of Personnel Management for each fiscal year 
such funds as may be necessary for the development, maintenance, 
improvement, and promotion of the internet-service platform.

SEC. 6. UNDERSERVED MARKETS AND DEMOGRAPHICS RECRUITMENT PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Personnel Management 
shall, in coordination with the components of Executive agencies and 
sponsoring agencies responsible for recruiting individuals, carry out a 
pilot program to engage individuals from demographic populations, such 
as those defined by gender, geography, socioeconomic status, and 
mission-critical skills (as determined by a head of a sponsoring 
agency), that the Director determines are underrepresented in the 
Federal workforce for possible participation in the civil service.
    (b) Consultation.--In developing a pilot program under this 
section, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall 
consult with the head of the Federal Internship and Fellowship Center, 
the Chief Human Capital Officers Council, and the Equal Employment 
Opportunity Commission to develop best practices for engaging 
individuals described in subsection (a).

SEC. 7. COMPENSATION FOR FEDERAL INTERNS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3111 of title 5, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) in the heading, by striking ``volunteer'' and inserting 
        ``student'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``Notwithstanding section 
                        1342 of title 31, the'' and inserting ``The''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``voluntary service'' and 
                        inserting ``service from a student under this 
                        section'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting before the semicolon the 
                        following: ``, but only insofar as the 
                        institution provides academic credit to the 
                        student for the service''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``and'' at the end;
                    (C) by striking paragraph (2); and
                    (D) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (2);
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by striking ``voluntary'' each place it 
                appears; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, section 717 
                of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-16),'' 
                after ``for injury)'';
            (4) in subsection (e)(2)(A), by striking ``voluntary 
        service'' and inserting ``service''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(f) An agency may provide reimbursement for transportation and 
subsistence expenses for any student who provides service under 
subsection (b), pursuant to regulations issued by the Office of 
Personnel Management.
    ``(g) A scholarship that is awarded by the agency to which a 
student is providing services under subsection (b) and that is awarded 
based at least in part on such services shall be deemed to be 
compensation paid to such student for such services.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 31 of 
title 5, United States Code, is amended in the item relating to section 
3111 by striking ``volunteer'' and inserting ``student''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 3111a.--Section 3111a(c)(1)(A) of title 5, 
        United States Code, is amended by striking ``volunteer 
        service'' and inserting ``student service''.
            (2) Section 7905.--Section 7905(a)(1) of title 5, United 
        States Code, is amended by striking ``voluntary''.
    (d) Current Students.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding the amendments made by 
        this Act and section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the 
        head of an Executive agency may accept voluntary services from 
        any student (as defined in section 3111(a) of title 5, United 
        States Code) who, immediately prior to the enactment of this 
        Act, provides such services to such Executive agency under a 
        program established under section 3111(b) of title 5, United 
        States Code, until the earliest date on which such student 
        ceases to participate in such program.
            (2) Controlling law.--The acceptance of voluntary service 
        under this subsection shall be in accordance with the law as in 
        effect immediately prior to the date of the enactment of this 
        Act.

SEC. 8. ESTABLISHMENT OF PATHWAYS PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Competitive service.--The term ``competitive service'' 
        has the meaning given that term in section 2102 of title 5, 
        United States Code.
            (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the Office of Personnel Management.
            (3) Excepted service.--The term ``excepted service'' has 
        the meaning given that term in section 2103 of title 5, United 
        States Code.
    (b) Establishment.--The Director shall establish a program, to be 
known as the Pathways Program, which shall--
            (1) promote employment opportunities for students and 
        recent graduates in the Federal workforce by excepting 
        participants in the Program from the competitive service 
        requirements for certain competitive service positions in the 
        civil service; and
            (2) consist of an Internship Program as described in 
        subsection (d), a Recent Graduates Program as described in 
        subsection (e), and a Presidential Management Fellows Program 
        as described in subsection (f).
    (c) Regulations.--The Director shall issue regulations for the 
Pathways Program, including--
            (1) a description of the positions that Executive agencies 
        may fill through the Pathways Program because conditions of 
        good administration necessitate excepting those positions from 
        the competitive hiring rules;
            (2) rules governing whether, to what extent, and in what 
        manner public notice should be provided of job opportunities in 
        the Pathways Program;
            (3) a description of career-development, training, and 
        mentorship opportunities for participants in the Pathways 
        Program;
            (4) requirements that managers assess the performance of 
        participants in the Pathways Program to identify those 
        individuals who should be considered for conversion to career 
        appointments in the civil service;
            (5) a description of oversight by the Office of Personnel 
        Management of the use by Executive agencies of the Pathways 
        Program to ensure that--
                    (A) the Pathways Program serves as a supplement to, 
                and not a substitute for, the competitive hiring 
                process; and
                    (B) Executive agencies are using the Pathways 
                Program to develop talent for careers in the civil 
                service;
            (6) a description of plans by the Office of Personnel 
        Management to evaluate--
                    (A) competitive service requirements for certain 
                positions in the civil service;
                    (B) the effectiveness of Executive agencies in 
                recruiting and retaining talent using the Pathways 
                Program; and
                    (C) the satisfaction of those students, graduates, 
                and hiring managers participating in the Pathways 
                Program; and
            (7) standard naming conventions across Executive agencies, 
        so that students and recent graduates can clearly understand 
        and compare the career pathway opportunities available to them 
        in the Federal Government.
    (d) Internship Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Internship Program shall provide 
        students in high schools, community colleges, four-year 
        colleges, trade schools, career and technical education 
        programs, the Job Corps program, and other qualifying 
        educational institutions and programs, as determined by the 
        Director, with paid opportunities to work in agencies and 
        explore Federal careers while still in school.
            (2) Requirements and policies.--The following requirements 
        and policies shall apply to the Internship Program:
                    (A) Participants in the Program shall be students 
                enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, at institution or 
                program described in paragraph (1).
                    (B) Subject to such exceptions as may be provided 
                by regulation, Executive agencies shall provide 
                participants in the Internship Program with meaningful 
                developmental work and set clear expectations regarding 
                the work experience of the participant.
                    (C) Students employed by third-party, non-federal 
                internship providers but placed in Executive agencies 
                may, to the extent permitted by regulation, be treated 
                as participants in the Internship Program.
                    (D) Executive agencies shall participate in the 
                Internship Program for the primary purpose of 
                developing and evaluating talent for future permanent 
                employment with the Federal Government.
    (e) Recent Graduates Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Recent Graduates Program shall provide 
        individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying 
        educational institutions or programs with developmental 
        experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote 
        possible careers in the civil service.
            (2) Requirements and policies.--The following requirements 
        and policies shall apply to the Recent Graduates Program:
                    (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
                participants in the Recent Graduates Program shall have 
                obtained a qualifying degree or completed a qualifying 
                career or technical education program, as determined by 
                the Director, within the 3-year period immediately 
                preceding participation in the Recent Graduates 
                Program.
                    (B) Any veteran who, due to the military service 
                obligation of such veteran, was precluded from 
                participating in the Recent Graduates Program during 
                the 3-year period described in subparagraph (A) shall 
                be eligible to participate in the Program within 6 
                years after obtaining a qualifying degree or completing 
                a qualifying career or technical education program.
                    (C) A veteran with respect to which subparagraph 
                (B) applies may participate not more than once in the 
                Recent Graduates Program.
                    (D) Responsibilities assigned to a participant in 
                the Recent Graduates Program shall be consistent with 
                the qualifications, educational background, and career 
                interests of such participant, the purpose of the 
                Recent Graduates Program, and the needs of Executive 
                agencies.
                    (E) Appointments to the Recent Graduates Program 
                may not exceed two years, except that the employing 
                Executive agency may extend the appointment for up to 
                120 days.
            (3) Pre-graduation appointments offers.--
                    (A) In general.--Executive agencies may, in 
                accordance with subparagraph (B), offer appointments to 
                participate in Recent Graduates Program to individuals 
                who, not later than 182 days after such offer is made, 
                will obtain a qualifying degree or complete a 
                qualifying career or technical education program 
                described in paragraph (2)(A).
                    (B) Appointment limitations.--An appointment 
                offered under paragraph (A) shall--
                            (i) be effective on or after the date on 
                        which the offer recipient obtains a qualifying 
                        degree or completes a qualifying career or 
                        technical education program described in 
                        paragraph (2)(A); and
                            (ii) be rescinded if the offer recipient 
                        does not obtain such a qualifying degree or 
                        complete such a qualifying career or technical 
                        education program prior to the end of the 182 
                        day period beginning on the date on which the 
                        offer is made.
    (f) Presidential Management Fellows Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Presidential Management Fellows 
        Program shall provide opportunities to individuals from various 
        academic disciplines at the graduate level who have an interest 
        in, and commitment to, leading and managing public programs and 
        policies.
            (2) Requirements and policies.--The following requirements 
        and policies shall apply to the Presidential Management Fellows 
        Program:
                    (A) Participants in the Presidential Management 
                Fellows Program must have received a qualifying 
                advanced degree, as determined by the Director, within 
                the 2-year period immediately preceding participation 
                in the Presidential Management Fellows Program.
                    (B) Responsibilities assigned to a Presidential 
                Management Fellow shall be consistent with the 
                qualifications, educational background, and career 
                interests of the fellow, the purposes of the 
                Presidential Management Fellows Program, and Executive 
                agency needs.
                    (C) The Office of Personnel Management shall 
                establish the eligibility requirements and minimum 
                qualifications for the Presidential Management Fellows 
                Program, as well as a process for assessing eligible 
                individuals for consideration for appointment to 
                participate in the Presidential Management Fellows 
                Program.
    (g) Pathway Program Appointments.--The following requirements shall 
apply to appointments in the Pathways Program:
            (1) Appointments to the Pathways Program shall be under the 
        excepted service.
            (2) Appointments to the Pathways Program shall not confer 
        any right to further Federal employment in either the 
        competitive service or the excepted service upon the expiration 
        of the appointment.
    (h) Conversions.--
            (1) In general.--The head of an Executive agency may, in 
        accordance with this subsection and without regard to any 
        provision of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, and any 
        other provision of law relating to the examination, 
        certification, and appointment of individuals in the 
        competitive service--
                    (A) convert the appointments of participants in the 
                Pathways Program (other than participants in the 
                Presidential Management Fellows Program described in 
                subsection (f)) to term, career, or career-conditional 
                appointments in the competitive service; and
                    (B) convert the appointments of such participants 
                who are initially converted to a term appointment under 
                subparagraph (A) to a career or career-conditional 
                appointment in the competitive service before the term 
                appointment expires.
            (2) Conversion requirements.--
                    (A) In general.--In addition to the requirements 
                under this subsection, the Director may establish 
                requirements for converting an appointment under 
                paragraph (1).
                    (B) Internship program participant.--The 
                appointment of a participant in the Internship Program 
                described in subsection (d) may be converted to a 
                career or career-conditional appointment under 
                paragraph (1) only if the participant--
                            (i) is a citizen of the United States;
                            (ii) has completed not less than one year 
                        as a participant in the Internship Program 
                        while enrolled as a half- or full-time degree- 
                        or certificate-seeking student at an 
                        institution or program described in subsection 
                        (d)(1);
                            (iii) in the 180-day period ending on the 
                        date on which the appointment of such 
                        participant is converted under paragraph (1), 
                        has completed a course of study at an 
                        institution or program described in subsection 
                        (d)(1);
                            (iv) meets the qualification standards for 
                        the position to which the participant will be 
                        converted, including any requirements of the 
                        Executive agency in which such position is 
                        located; and
                            (v) receives a favorable recommendation 
                        from an official of the Executive agency or 
                        agencies in which the participant serves under 
                        the Internship Program.
                    (C) Recent graduates program participant.--The 
                appointment of a participant in the Recent Graduates 
                Program described in subsection (e) may be converted to 
                a career or career-conditional appointment under 
                paragraph (1) only if the participant--
                            (i) is a citizen of the United States;
                            (ii) has completed not less than one year 
                        of continuous service as a participant in the 
                        Recent Graduates Program, except that such one-
                        year requirement shall be reduced by the amount 
                        of time, if any, the participant spent as a 
                        participant in the Internship Program described 
                        in subsection (d);
                            (iii) has demonstrated successful 
                        performance of the responsibilities of each 
                        position to which the participant has been 
                        assigned under the Recent Graduates Program;
                            (iv) meets the qualification standards for 
                        the position to which the participant will be 
                        converted, including any requirements of the 
                        Executive agency in which such position is 
                        located; and
                            (v) receives a recommendation for 
                        conversion from the immediate supervisor of the 
                        participant under the Recent Graduates Program.
                    (D) Other agency appointment.--The head of an 
                Executive agency may exercise the authority under 
                paragraph (1) with respect to a participant in the 
                Pathways Program not appointed to a position in such 
                Executive agency only if the appointment of such 
                participant is converted to an appointment to a 
                position in such Executive agency.
            (3) Conversion eligibility database.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the 
                date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall 
                establish and maintain a database of participants in 
                the Pathways program whose appointments are eligible 
                for conversion to career or career-conditional 
                appointments under paragraph (1).
                    (B) Availability.--The Director shall make the 
                database established under subparagraph (A) available 
                to each Executive agency.
                    (C) Conversion eligibility reporting.--
                            (i) In general.--The head of each Executive 
                        agency shall submit to the Director such 
                        information as determined by the Director 
                        regarding each participant in the Pathways 
                        program appointed to a position within such 
                        Executive agency whose appointment is eligible 
                        for conversion to career or career-conditional 
                        appointments under paragraph (1).
                            (ii) Form.--The head of each Executive 
                        agency shall submit the information required 
                        under clause (i) at such time and in such 
                        manner and form as determined appropriate by 
                        the Director of the Office of Personnel 
                        Management.
                    (D) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
                authorized to be appropriated to the Office of 
                Personnel Management for each fiscal year such funds as 
                may be necessary to carry out this paragraph.
    (i) Subsequent Appointments.--
            (1) In general.--The head of an Executive agency may, in 
        accordance with this subsection and without regard to any 
        provision of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, (other 
        than sections 3303 and 3328), appoint current and previous 
        participants in the Pathways Program to positions in the 
        competitive service.
            (2) Appointment requirements.--
                    (A) In general.--In addition to the requirements 
                under this subsection, the Director may establish 
                requirements for appointments under paragraph (1).
                    (B) Internship program.--A current or previous 
                participant in the Internship Program described in 
                subsection (d) may be appointed under paragraph (1) 
                only if the participant--
                            (i) is a citizen of the United States;
                            (ii) has completed not less than one year 
                        as a participant in the Internship Program 
                        while enrolled as a half- or full-time degree- 
                        or certificate-seeking student at an 
                        institution or program described in subsection 
                        (d)(1);
                            (iii) in the 120-day period ending on the 
                        date on which such participant is appointed 
                        under paragraph (1), has completed a course of 
                        study at an institution or program described in 
                        subsection (d)(1);
                            (iv) meets the qualification standards for 
                        the position to which the participant will be 
                        appointed, including any requirements of the 
                        Executive agency in which such position is 
                        located; and
                            (v) receives a favorable recommendation 
                        from an official of the Executive agency or 
                        agencies in which the participant served under 
                        the Internship Program.
                    (C) Recent graduates program participant.--A 
                current or previous participant in the Recent Graduates 
                Program described in subsection (e) may be appointed 
                under paragraph (1) only if the participant--
                            (i) is a citizen of the United States;
                            (ii) has completed not less than one year 
                        of continuous service as a participant in the 
                        Recent Graduates Program, except that such one-
                        year requirement shall be reduced by the amount 
                        of time, if any, the participant spent as a 
                        participant in the Internship Program described 
                        in subsection (d);
                            (iii) has demonstrated successful 
                        performance of the responsibilities of each 
                        position to which the participant was assigned 
                        under the Recent Graduates Program;
                            (iv) meets the qualification standards for 
                        the position to which the participant will be 
                        appointed, including any requirements of the 
                        Executive agency in which such position is 
                        located; and
                            (v) receives a recommendation for such 
                        appointment from the immediate supervisor of 
                        the participant under the Recent Graduates 
                        Program.
                    (D) Presidential management fellows program 
                participant.--A previous participant in the 
                Presidential Management Fellows Program described in 
                subsection (f) may be appointed under paragraph (1) 
                only if the participant--
                            (i) is a citizen of the United States;
                            (ii) successfully completed the 
                        Presidential Management Fellows Program in 
                        accordance with the standards set by the Office 
                        of Personnel Management and the relevant 
                        agency;
                            (iii) for each position to which the 
                        participant was assigned under the Presidential 
                        Management Fellows Program--
                                    (I) if the performance of the 
                                participant for such position was 
                                assessed under the performance 
                                appraisal program of the Executive 
                                agency in which this position was 
                                located, received a rating for such 
                                performance that is not less than fully 
                                successful or an equivalent rating; and
                                    (II) for any other such position, 
                                demonstrated successful performance of 
                                the responsibilities of such position;
                            (iv) meets the qualification standards for 
                        the position to which the participant will be 
                        appointed, including any requirements of the 
                        Executive agency in which such position is 
                        located; and
                            (v) receives a recommendation for such 
                        appointment from the immediate supervisor of 
                        the participant under the Presidential 
                        Management Fellows Program.
    (j) Interaction With Other Law.--Beginning one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, any program that may be established or 
operated under this section, Executive Order 13562 (75 Fed. Reg. 82583, 
relating to recruiting and hiring students and recent graduates), or 
Executive Order 13318 (68 Fed. Reg. 66317, relating to the Presidential 
Management Fellows Program) and any authority provided under this 
section and such Executive Orders, shall be deemed to be established, 
operated, and provided, as applicable, under this section.
    (k) Definition of Federal Internship Program.--Section 3111a(c)(1) 
of title 5, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) as 
        subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
                    ``(B) the Internship Program established under 
                section 8 of the Building the Next Generation of 
                Federal Employees Act;'';
            (3) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by inserting 
        after ``(75 Federal Register 82525)'' the following: ``or the 
        Internship Program established under section 8 of the Building 
        the Next Generation of Federal Employees Act''; and
            (4) in subparagraph (E)(i), as so redesignated, by 
        inserting after ``(75 Federal Register 82525)'' the following: 
        ``or the Internship Program established under section 8 of the 
        Building the Next Generation of Federal Employees Act''.

SEC. 9. ENHANCED HIRING FOR RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES AND POST-SECONDARY 
              STUDENTS.

    (a) Recent Graduate Hiring Authority.--Section 3115(e)(1) of title 
5, United States Code, is amended by striking all that follows 
``exceed'' and inserting ``the greater of either 15 percent of the 
number of individuals that the agency head appointed during the 
previous fiscal year to permanent employment or 1 percent of the 
average number of permanent employees in the agency during the previous 
fiscal year.''.
    (b) Post-Secondary Student Hiring Authority.--Section 3116 of title 
5, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d)(1), by striking all that follows 
        ``exceed'' and inserting ``the greater of either 15 percent of 
        the number of individuals that the agency head appointed during 
        the previous fiscal year to permanent employment or 1 percent 
        of the average number of permanent employees in the agency 
        during the previous fiscal year.''; and
            (2) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``640'' and inserting 
        ``400''.

SEC. 10. INFORMATION ON USE OF EXPEDITED HIRING AUTHORITY FOR COLLEGE 
              GRADUATES.

    (a) In General.--The head of each Executive agency shall submit to 
the Director of the Office of Personnel Management information on the 
use of the authority under section 3115 of title 5, United States Code, 
by such Executive agency at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Director determines appropriate.
    (b) Publication.--
            (1) In general.--Not less than once each fiscal-year 
        quarter, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management 
        shall publish on a database described in paragraph (2) the 
        information received under subsection (a), including--
                    (A) the number individuals appointed under section 
                3115 of title 5, United States Code;
                    (B) the demographic information of such 
                individuals;
                    (C) the occupational series of the positions to 
                which such individuals were appointed; and
                    (D) the rates of pay for such individuals.
            (2) Existing database use.--The database described in this 
        paragraph is a publicly available online database that is 
        publicly available online as of the date of the enactment of 
        this Act.

SEC. 11. COMPETITIVE SERVICE EXAMINATION CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in section 3(e)(2)(C), in 
examinations for the competitive service in which experience is an 
element of qualification, a fellow or intern shall be entitled to 5 
additional points above the earned rating of such fellow or intern if 
such fellow or intern completes a fellowship or internship, 
respectively, that--
            (1) is not less than six months in duration;
            (2) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management has 
        approved as entitling the individuals who complete such 
        fellowship or internship to such credit.
    (b) Credit Availability.--The credit under subsection (a) shall 
remain available for a period of 12 months beginning on the later of 
the date on which the fellowship or internship of the fellow or intern 
ends or the date on which the fellow or intern graduates from a 
qualifying institution, as determined by the Director of the Office of 
Personnel Management.
    (c) Application.--A sponsoring agency or third-party internship 
provider seeking the approval described in subsection (a)(2) for a 
fellowship or internship offered by such entity shall submit to the 
Director of the Office of Personnel Management an application at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director 
determines appropriate.
    (d) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Director shall issue regulations carrying 
out this section.
                                 <all>