ME TOO Congress Act

Bill: 115-s-2159
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2017-11-16
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Age discrimination

Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration

Assault and harassment offenses

Civil actions and liability

Congressional committees

Congressional officers and employees

Congressional operations and organization

Congressional oversight

Crime victims

Disability and paralysis

Employee leave

Employment discrimination and employee rights

Evidence and witnesses

Genetics

Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Government ethics and transparency, public corruption

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

House Committee on House Administration

Legislative rules and procedure

Members of Congress

Racial and ethnic relations

Senate Committee on Rules and Administration

Sex offenses

Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Worker safety and health
Latest action: action_date: 2017-11-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-11-16
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Member and Employee Training and Oversight On Congress Act or the ME TOO Congress Act</b></p> <p>This bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA), including to (1) extend CAA nondiscrimination requirements and remedies to sexual orientation, gender identity, and to legislative branch interns, detailees, and fellows; (2) revise CAA procedures for certain harassment and discrimination complaints; (3) require the offending Member of Congress to pay for settlements and awards in such complaints; and (4) rename the Office of Compliance the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.</p> <p> The bill sets forth requirements for certain harassment and discrimination awareness and prevention training.</p>

tv_txt: II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2159 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 16, 2017 Mrs. Gillibrand (for herself, Ms. Cortez Masto , Ms. Harris , and Ms. Hirono ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To require covered harassment and covered discrimination awareness and prevention training for Members, officers, employees, interns, fellows, and detailees of Congress within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter, to require a biennial climate survey of Congress, to amend the enforcement process under the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights for covered harassment and covered discrimination complaints, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Member and Employee Training and Oversight On Congress Act or the ME TOO Congress Act . I Training and climate survey 101. Definitions In this title: (1) Covered discrimination The term covered discrimination means— (A) discrimination described in any of clauses (i) through (v) of paragraph (2)(A); (B) discrimination prohibited by section 201 or 210 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995; or (C) a violation of section 207 of such Act that is related to discrimination described in subparagraph (A) or (B). (2) Covered harassment The term covered harassment means— (A) harassment that is— (i) discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.); (ii) discrimination because of age under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ( 29 U.S.C. 621 et seq.); (iii) discrimination on the basis of disability under title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12111 et seq.) or section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 791 ); (iv) discrimination because of genetic information under title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000ff et seq.); or (v) discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity, within the meaning of Executive Order 11478. (3) Covered office of the House of Representatives The term covered office of the House of Representatives means an office, including a joint commission or joint committee, employing employees of the House of Representatives. (4) Covered office of the Senate The term covered office of the Senate means an office, including a joint commission or joint committee, employing employees of the Senate. (5) Covered position in the House of Representatives The term covered position in the House of Representatives means a position as— (A) a Member of the House of Representatives; (B) an elected or appointed officer of the House of Representatives; (C) an employee of the House of Representatives; (D) an intern or fellow in a covered office of the House of Representatives— (i) without regard to whether the intern or fellow receives compensation; and (ii) in the case of an intern or fellow that does receive compensation, without regard to the source of the compensation; or (E) a detailee in a covered office of the House of Representatives, without regard to whether the service is on a reimbursable basis. (6) Covered position in the Senate The term covered position in the Senate means a position as— (A) a Member of the Senate; (B) an elected or appointed officer of the Senate; (C) an employee of the Senate; (D) an intern or fellow in a covered office of the Senate— (i) without regard to whether the intern or fellow receives compensation; and (ii) in the case of an intern or fellow that does receive compensation, without regard to the source of the compensation; or (E) a detailee in a covered office of the Senate, without regard to whether the service is on a reimbursable basis. (7) Employee of the House of Representatives The term employee of the House of Representatives means an employee whose pay is disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, without regard to the term of the appointment. (8) Employee of the Senate The term employee of the Senate means an employee whose pay is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate, without regard to the term of the appointment. (9) Executive order 11478 The term Executive Order 11478 means Executive Order 11478 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000e note; relating to equal employment opportunity in the Federal Government), as amended and superseded by Executive Order 13672 and the other Executive orders issued before January 20, 2017. (10) Head of a covered office The term head of a covered office , when used with respect to a covered office of the Senate or a covered office of the House of Representatives, means the Member of Congress, elected or appointed officer of Congress, or manager of the covered office having final authority to appoint, hire, discharge, and set the terms, conditions, or privileges of the employment of the employees employed by the covered office. (11) Initial training date The term initial training date means, with respect to an individual in a covered position in the House or an individual in a covered position in the Senate, the first date on which the applicable training required for such individual under section 102(b) is offered under section 102(c). (12) Manager of a covered office The term manager of a covered office , when used with respect to a covered office of the Senate or a covered office of the House of Representatives, means an employee of the covered office empowered to effect a significant change in the employment status of another employee of the covered office, such as hiring, firing, failing to promote, reassignment with significantly different responsibilities, or a decision causing a change in benefits. (13) Office of Congressional Workplace Rights The term Office of Congressional Workplace Rights means the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights established under section 301 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1381 ), as amended by section 218 (formerly known as the Office of Compliance ). 102. Required covered harassment and covered discrimination awareness and prevention training for members, officers, employees, interns, fellows, and detailees of Congress within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter (a) Establishment of rules requiring covered harassment and covered discrimination awareness and prevention training within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter (1) Requirements for the Senate (A) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate— (i) shall issue rules that require— (I) each individual elected, appointed, or assigned to a covered position in the Senate after the initial training date, who was not serving in a covered position in the same covered office of the Senate immediately before being so elected, appointed, or assigned, to complete training described in subsections (b) and (c)— (aa) not later than 30 days after the date on which the individual begins serving in the covered position; and (bb) annually thereafter as long as the individual serves in a covered position in the Senate; (II) each individual serving in a covered position in the Senate on the initial training date, to complete such training— (aa) not later than 30 days after the initial training date; and (bb) annually thereafter as long as the individual serves in a covered position in the Senate; and (III) a designee of each covered office of the Senate to— (aa) annually submit to the Committee a certification indicating whether each individual serving in a covered position in such covered office has completed such training; and (bb) submit, by not later than the last day of each Congress, to the Secretary of the Senate a certification indicating whether each individual serving in a covered position in such covered office has completed the training requirements under this title during that Congress; and (ii) may establish additional requirements for the training on covered harassment and covered discrimination awareness and prevention that is offered to individuals serving in covered positions in the Senate under this section. (B) Coordination with other requirements In issuing rules under subparagraph (A)(i), the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate shall— (i) review the requirements of S. Res. 330 (115th Congress), agreed to November 9, 2017; and (ii) ensure that the rules issued under subparagraph (A)(i) meet the requirements of this title while preventing or limiting conflicts and duplication of requirements under the rules issued under such Senate Resolution. (2) Requirements for the House of Representatives Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives— (A) shall issue rules that require— (i) each individual elected, appointed, or assigned to a covered position in the House of Representatives after the initial training date, who was not serving in a covered position in the same covered office of the House of Representatives immediately before being so elected, appointed, or assigned, to complete training described in subsections (b) and (c)— (I) not later than 30 days after the date on which the individual begins serving in the covered position; and (II) annually thereafter as long as the individual serves in a covered position in the House of Representatives; (ii) each individual serving in a covered position in the House of Representatives on the initial training date, to complete such training— (I) not later than 30 days after the initial training date; and (II) annually thereafter as long as the individual serves in a covered position in the House of Representatives; and (iii) a designee of each covered office of the House of Representatives to— (I) annually submit to the Committee a certification indicating whether each individual serving in a covered position in such covered office has completed the training; and (II) submit, by not later than the last day of each Congress, to the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives a certification indicating whether each individual serving in a covered position in such covered office has completed the training requirements under this title during that Congress; and (B) may establish additional requirements for the training on covered harassment and covered discrimination awareness and prevention offered to individuals serving in a covered position in the House of Representatives under this section. (b) Requirements for training The training on covered harassment and discrimination awareness and prevention required under this section shall— (1) be provided by the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights; (2) include— (A) information and practical guidance regarding any applicable Federal laws concerning the prohibition against and the prevention and correction of covered harassment and covered discrimination and the rights of survivors of covered harassment in employment; (B) practical examples aimed at instructing supervisors in the prevention of covered harassment and covered discrimination, and retaliation; (C) presentations by individuals with knowledge and expertise in the prevention of covered harassment and covered discrimination and retaliation; (D) a discussion of the consequences for perpetrators of covered harassment and covered discrimination; (E) information regarding the prohibition under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) against retaliation against witnesses to, or individuals who experience, covered harassment or discrimination and who report the harassment or discrimination; (F) information regarding how an individual in a covered position in the Senate or a covered position in the House of Representatives reports covered harassment or discrimination to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights; (G) in the case of training provided to individuals who are Members of Congress, elected and appointed officers of Congress, heads of covered offices of Congress, and managers of covered offices of Congress, information regarding the role of such individuals in recognizing and responding to harassment and harassment complaints; and (H) any additional content required under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) or (2)(B) of subsection (a) by the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate or the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives (as applicable); and (3) require that an individual demonstrate mastery of the subject matter through an assessment in order to complete the training. (c) Provision of training (1) In general The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights shall— (A) by not later than 60 days after the date on which the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives issue rules under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a), develop and offer training on covered harassment and covered discrimination awareness and prevention that meets the requirements of subsection (b), subject to paragraph (2); (B) periodically update the training on covered harassment and covered discrimination awareness and prevention, including any materials relating to such training; and (C) periodically provide recordkeeping information to the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, as applicable, regarding the individuals serving in covered positions in the Senate or in covered positions in the House of Representatives, respectively, who have completed the training. (2) Consultation The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights shall, in implementing the training described in paragraph (1), consult with— (A) entities having significant expertise in identifying, preventing, and responding to covered harassment; and (B) covered harassment survivors or covered harassment confidential advisors. (d) Publication of certifications for each Congress (1) Publication of certification in the Senate Not later than 30 days after the first day of each Congress, the Secretary of the Senate shall publish each certification submitted to the Secretary of the Senate, in accordance with the rules issued under subsection (a)(1)(A)(i) and the requirements of subsection (a)(1)(A)(i)(III)(bb), with respect to the previous Congress on the public website of the Secretary of the Senate. (2) Publication of certification in the House of Representatives Not later than 30 days after the first day of each Congress, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives shall publish each certification submitted to the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, in accordance with the rules issued under subsection (a)(2)(A) and the requirements of subsection (a)(2)(A)(iii)(II), with respect to the previous Congress on the public website of the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives. 103. Workplace climate survey of Congress relating to covered harassment and covered discrimination Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights shall— (1) carry out an anonymous survey of individuals serving in covered positions in the Senate or in covered positions in the House of Representatives to determine— (A) the scope of covered harassment and covered discrimination in Congress; (B) whether covered harassment and covered discrimination prevention and reform efforts are working to curb the prevalence of covered harassment in Congress; and (C) whether the complaint and reporting process regarding instances of covered harassment and covered discrimination in Congress is sufficient; and (2) prepare and submit only to the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives a report regarding the findings of the survey described in paragraph (1). II Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 201. Definitions Section 101 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1301 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (10), and paragraphs (11) and (12), as paragraphs (5) through (11), and paragraphs (13) and (14), respectively; (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: (4) Covered harassment The term covered harassment means harassment that is— (A) discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.); (B) discrimination because of age under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ( 29 U.S.C. 621 et seq.); (C) discrimination on the basis of disability under title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12111 et seq.) or section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 791 ); (D) discrimination because of genetic information under title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000ff et seq.); or (E) discrimination because of sexual orientation, or gender identity, within the meaning of Executive Order 11478. ; and (3) by inserting after paragraph (11), as redesignated in paragraph (1) of this section, the following: (12) Executive Order 11478 The term Executive Order 11478 means Executive Order 11478 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000e note; relating to equal employment opportunity in the Federal Government), as amended and superseded by Executive Order 13672 and the other Executive orders issued before January 20, 2017. . 202. Rights and protections; responsibilities of head of employing office Section 201 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1311 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) (i) in paragraph (2), by striking or at the end; (ii) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: (4) sexual orientation, or gender identity, within the meaning of Executive Order 11478. ; (B) (i) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4), as added by section 201(2), as subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D), respectively; (ii) by aligning the margins of such subparagraphs with the margins of subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(1); and (iii) by striking All personnel and inserting the following: (1) In general All personnel ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (2) Responsibilities (A) In general If an individual who is the head of an employing office, or the highest ranking employee of the head of the employing office, is aware of, or a reasonable individual in the position involved would be aware of, covered harassment in the office, the individual shall carry out the responsibility described in subparagraph (B). (B) Responsibilities The individual referred to in subparagraph (A) shall make affirmative efforts to address, and prevent the recurrence of, covered harassment in the office. ; and (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking subsection (a)(1) and inserting subsection (a)(1)(A) ; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking subsection (a)(2) and inserting subsection (a)(1)(B) ; and (C) in paragraph (3), by striking subsection (a)(3) and inserting subsection (a)(1)(C) . 203. Coverage of interns, fellows, and detailees Section 201 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1311 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: (d) In this section, the term covered employee , used with respect to covered harassment, includes— (1) an intern or fellow serving in a position in an employing office— (A) without regard to whether the intern or fellow receives compensation; and (B) if the intern or fellow does receive compensation, without regard to the source of compensation; and (2) a detailee serving in a position in an employing office without regard to whether the service is on a reimbursable basis. . 204. Notices Part E of title II of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1361 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 226. Notices (a) In general Every employing office shall post and keep posted (in conspicuous places upon its premises where notices to covered employees are customarily posted) a notice provided by the Office that— (1) describes the rights, protections, and procedures applicable to covered employees of the employing office under this Act, concerning covered harassment and covered discrimination; and (2) includes contact information for the Office. (b) Definition In this section, the term covered discrimination means— (1) discrimination described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (E) of section 101(4); (2) discrimination prohibited by section 210; or (3) a violation of section 207 that is related to discrimination described in paragraph (1) or (2). . 205. Confidential advisor Section 302 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1382 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (d) through (f) as subsections (e) through (g), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: (d) Confidential Advisor (1) In general The Executive Director shall— (A) appoint, and fix the compensation of, and may remove, a Confidential Advisor; or (B) designate an employee of the Office to serve as a Confidential Advisor. (2) Duties (A) Voluntary services The Confidential Advisor shall offer to provide the services described in subparagraph (B), which a covered employee may accept or decline. (B) Services The services referred to in subparagraph (A) are— (i) informing a covered employee who has experienced a practice that may be covered harassment about the employee's rights under this Act; (ii) consulting, on a confidential basis, with a covered employee who has experienced a practice that may be covered harassment; and (iii) assisting a covered employee who seeks consideration under title IV of an allegation involving covered harassment in understanding the procedures, and the significance of the procedures, described in that title. . 206. Overall procedure Section 401 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1401 ) is amended— (1) in the first sentence— (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting , which shall be voluntary in the case of an allegation of covered harassment before the semicolon; and (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting , which shall be voluntary in the case of an allegation of covered harassment before the semicolon; and (2) in the second sentence, by inserting (or a request for counseling, mediation, or a hearing, concerning an allegation of covered harassment) after for counseling under section 402 . 207. Notification Section 401 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, as amended by section 206, is further amended— (1) by striking Except and inserting the following: (a) Overall procedure Except ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (b) Notification after allegation of covered harassment On receiving a request, under this title, for counseling or another proceeding for consideration of alleged covered harassment, the Office shall provide to the employee written notification that describes the rights, protections, and procedures applicable to a covered employee who is raising such an allegation. (c) No requirement To present allegation first to employing office Notwithstanding any provision of law, regardless of whether a covered employee follows the employing office's procedures for initially presenting an allegation, or information about the allegation, of covered harassment to the employing office— (1) the covered employee is privileged to request and obtain, under this title, counseling or another proceeding for consideration of alleged covered harassment; and (2) the covered employee— (A) may file a complaint with the Office in accordance with section 405 or file a civil action with a court in accordance with section 408; (B) may proceed without prejudice under the corresponding procedures specified in title IV including obtaining any available remedy; and (C) shall be entitled to protection from intimidation, reprisal, or other discrimination described in section 207 as provided in that section. . 208. Availability of remote work assignment or paid leave during pendency of procedures Section 401 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1401 ), as amended by section 207, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Availability of remote work assignment or paid leave during pendency of procedures (1) Requirements for employing offices (A) Remote work assignment At the request of a covered employee who alleges covered harassment by the covered employee’s employing office, during the pendency of any of the procedures available under this title for consideration of the allegation, the employing office shall permit the covered employee to carry out the employee’s responsibilities from a remote location instead of from the location of the employing office. (B) Exception for work assignments required to be carried out onsite If, in the determination of the covered employee’s employing office, a covered employee who makes a request under this paragraph cannot carry out the employee’s responsibilities from a remote location, the employing office shall grant paid leave to a covered employee during the pendency of the procedures available under this title for the covered employee. (2) Exclusion from cap on number of employees of office of Member or committee of the House of Representatives If the office of a Member or committee of the House of Representatives grants a covered employee of such office paid leave under paragraph (1), during the period in which the employee is on paid leave, the employee shall not be counted among the number of employees of the office— (A) in the case of the office of a Member of the House, for purposes of section 104(a) of the House of Representatives Administrative Reform Technical Corrections Act ( 2 U.S.C. 5321(a) ); or (B) in the case of the office of a committee of the House, for purposes of any rule or regulation of the House that governs the number of employees the committee may appoint. (3) Exception for arrangements subject to collective bargaining agreements Paragraph (1) does not apply to the extent that it is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of any collective bargaining agreement that is in effect with respect to an employing office. . 209. Electronic reporting system Section 401 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1401 ), as amended by section 208, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (e) Use of electronic reporting system The Office shall establish and operate an electronic reporting system through which a covered employee may initiate a proceeding under this title, and that will keep an electronic record of the date and time at which the proceeding is initiated. . 210. Counseling Section 402(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1402(a) ) is amended, in the first sentence, by inserting or, in the case of an allegation of covered harassment, may request voluntary counseling by the Office before the period. 211. Mediation (a) Voluntary mediation Section 403(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1403(a) ) is amended— (1) by striking Not later and inserting the following: (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), not later ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (2) Allegation of covered harassment In the case of an allegation of covered harassment— (A) for a covered employee who requests counseling under section 402, not later than 15 days after receipt by the employee of notice of the end of the counseling period under section 402, but prior to making an election under section 404, the covered employee who alleged a violation of a law may file a request for voluntary mediation with the Office; and (B) for a covered employee who does not request such counseling, not later than 180 days after the date of the alleged violation, but prior to making an election under section 404, the covered employee may file a request for voluntary mediation with the Office. . (b) Requiring parties To be separated during mediation at request of employee Section 403(b)(2) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1403(b)(2) ) is amended by striking meetings with the parties and all that follows and inserting the following: “meetings with the parties— (1) held for the purpose of resolving the dispute between the covered employee and the employing office; and (2) (A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), conducted separately or jointly; or (B) at the request of a covered employee who alleges covered harassment, during which the parties shall be separated. . 212. Election of proceeding Section 404 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1404 ) is amended— (1) by striking Not later and inserting the following: (1) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), not later ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (b) Allegation of covered harassment In the case of an allegation of covered harassment— (1) for a covered employee who requests mediation under section 403 (or does not, but requests counseling under section 402), not later than 90 days after the end of the period of mediation (or counseling), the covered employee may either— (A) file a complaint as described in subsection (a)(1); or (B) file a civil action as described in subsection (a)(2); and (2) for a covered employee who does not request such mediation (or counseling), not later than 180 days after the date of the alleged violation, the covered employee may either— (A) file a complaint as described in subsection (a)(1); or (B) file a civil action as described in subsection (a)(2). . 213. Complaint and proceeding Section 405(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1405(a) ) is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: (a) Complaint (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2)— (A) a covered employee may, upon the completion of mediation under section 403, file a complaint with the Office; and (B) the respondent to the complaint shall be the employing office— (i) (I) involved in the violation; or (II) in which the violation is alleged to have occurred; and (ii) about which mediation was conducted. (2) Allegation of covered harassment In the case of an allegation of covered harassment— (A) a covered employee may file a complaint with the Office as described in section 404(b); and (B) the respondent to the complaint shall be the employing office— (i) involved in the violation; or (ii) in which the violation is alleged to have occurred. . 214. Investigatory powers Section 405 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1405 ) is amended by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: (e) Investigations and discovery (1) Investigations The Office shall have the authority to conduct investigations regarding complaints of covered harassment filed under this section, including investigations with respect to practices experienced by former covered employees that may be covered harassment. (2) Discovery Reasonable prehearing discovery may be permitted at the discretion of the hearing officer regarding a complaint filed under this section. . 215. Civil action Section 408(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1408(a) ) is amended— (1) in the first sentence, by striking who has completed counseling under section 402 and mediation under section 403 and inserting who meets the applicable requirements of section 404 ; and (2) in the second sentence, by inserting or a violation that is covered harassment before the period. 216. Personal liability of Members of Congress for payment of settlements and awards Section 415 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1415 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (d) Personal liability of Members of Congress for payment of settlements and awards (1) In general If a payment is made from the account described in subsection (a) for an award or settlement resulting from harassment described in paragraph (2), the Member of Congress who committed the harassment shall reimburse the account for the amount of the award or settlement. (2) Harassment The harassment referred to in paragraph (1) is— (A) quid pro quo covered harassment that was committed personally by a Member of Congress; or (B) hostile environment covered harassment that a Member of Congress committed by personally creating a hostile environment. . 217. Confidentiality Section 416 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1416 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (g) Waiver A covered employee who requests, under this title, counseling or another proceeding for consideration of alleged covered harassment may waive the employee’s right to confidentiality under this section during counseling or at any time after the last proceeding sought by the employee under this title has concluded (including after settlement or a voluntary termination of that proceeding). . 218. Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (a) References Paragraphs (1), (2), (3)(H), (10)(D), (11), (13), and (14) of section 101 (as redesignated by section 201 of this Act), sections 210(a)(9), 215(e)(1), 220(e)(2)(G), and 301(a), and paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 304(c) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1301 , 1331(a)(9), 1341(e)(1), 1351(e)(2)(G), 1381(a), 1384(c)) are amended by striking Office of Compliance and inserting Office of Congressional Workplace Rights . (b) Headings Title III of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.) is amended by striking the headings for title III and section 301 and inserting the following: III Office of Congressional Workplace Rights 301. Establishment of Office of Congressional Workplace Rights . 219. Conforming amendments (a) In general Section 415(c) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1415(c) ) is amended by striking section 201(a)(3) and inserting section 201(a)(1)(C) . (b) Table of contents The table of contents in section 1(b) the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 is amended— (1) by striking the item relating to the part heading for part A of title II and inserting the following: Part A—Employment discrimination, family and medical leave, and other protections and benefits ; (2) in the items relating to part E of title II, by adding at the end the following: Sec. 226. Notices. ; and (3) by striking the items relating to the title heading for title III, and section 301, and inserting the following: TITLE III—OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL WORKPLACE RIGHTS Sec. 301. Establishment of Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. .