3.0.0 582 2023-01-11T13:36:18Z 2023-01-11T13:36:18Z Senate S 2017-03-08 115 hsgo00 Oversight and Accountability Committee House Standing Referred to 2017-08-04T18:46:28Z ssga00 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Senate Standing Reported by 2017-05-18T17:44:26Z Markup by 2017-03-15T15:49:24Z Referred to 2017-03-08T21:04:18Z S. Rept. 115-74 OSC Access Act 115 2195 HR 2017-07-28 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 193. Related bill CRS 2017-08-04 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. IntroReferral H11100 2 House floor actions hsgo00 Oversight and Accountability Committee 2017-08-04 13:04:48 Received in the House. Floor H14000 2 House floor actions 2017-08-02 Senate Message on Senate action sent to the House. Floor 2017-08-01 Senate Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. Floor 2017-08-01 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. Floor 17000 9 Library of Congress 2017-08-01 Senate The committee amendments agreed to by Unanimous Consent. Floor 2017-08-01 Senate Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4687-4694) Floor 2017-05-18 Senate Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 93. Calendars 2017-05-18 ssga00 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-74. Committee 2017-05-18 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-74. Committee 14000 9 Library of Congress ssga00 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee 2017-03-15 ssga00 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably. Committee 2017-03-08 ssga00 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Senate Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. IntroReferral 2017-03-08 Introduced in Senate IntroReferral 10000 9 Library of Congress J000293 Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI] Ron Johnson R WI N M001170 Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO] Claire McCaskill D MO 2017-03-08 True G000386 Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] Charles Grassley R IA E. 2017-03-08 True D000618 Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT] Steve Daines R MT 2017-03-09 False W000779 Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] Ron Wyden D OR 2017-03-21 False 2017-05-15T13:02:03Z S. 582, Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2017 https://www.cbo.gov/publication/52723 As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on March 15, 2017 Government Operations and Politics Administrative law and regulatory procedures Congressional oversight Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Employee performance Employment discrimination and employee rights Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management Government information and archives Government studies and investigations Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information Mental health Merit Systems Protection Board Office of Special Counsel Government Operations and Politics 00 2017-03-08 Introduced in Senate 2017-11-15T15:45:51Z Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2017

This bill amends the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 to reauthorize through FY2022 the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency that protects federal employees, former employees, and applicants for employment from prohibited personnel practices.

The OSC is authorized to, with exceptions, have timely access to material available to an agency that relates to an investigation, review, or inquiry.

Agencies must: (1) inform their employees of whistle-blower protections available to new employees during a probationary period and of the role of the OSC and the Merit Systems Protection Board, and (2) provide training for supervisors with respect to employee complaints alleging a violation of whistle-blower protections.

The accessing of the medical record of another employee as a part of, or otherwise in furtherance of, any prohibited personnel practice is itself a prohibited personnel practice.

Agencies shall refer to the OSC for examination and appropriate action any instance where a whistle-blower has committed suicide.

Whistle-blower protections must be incorporated into performance evaluations for supervisors.

The bill provides for disciplinary measures against supervisors who retaliate against whistle-blowers.

The OSC may terminate an investigation of an alleged prohibited personnel practice under certain circumstances.

The OSC shall establish a pilot program to survey individuals who have filed a complaint or disclosure with the OSC.

]]> 01 2017-05-18 Reported to Senate with amendment(s) 2018-01-10T21:08:33Z Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) The Office of Special (OSC) is an independent investigative and prosecutorial agency that protects federal employees from retaliation for whistle-blower disclosures and prohibited personnel practices.

This bill expands the scope of OSC's authority by authorizing it: (1) to have timely access to material that relates to an investigation involving whistle-blower disclosures and prohibited personnel practices, (2) to request from any agency information or assistance necessary for it to carry out its duties, and (3) to require an agency to provide it with any record or other information that relates to an investigation, review, or inquiry. This new OCS authority shall not apply to any entity that is an element of the intelligence community, unless the OSC is investigating or carrying out activities relating to certain enforcement actions. A claim of common law privilege by an agency, or an agency employee, shall not prevent the OSC from obtaining such materials.

(Sec. 3) Agencies must inform their employees of: (1) whistle-blower protections available to new employees during a probationary period, (2) the role of the OSC and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), and (3) appeal rights. Agency websites must contain whistle-blower protection information. Supervisory training is authorized with respect to employee complaints alleging a violation of whistle-blower protections.

(Sec. 4) The accessing of the medical record of another employee as a part of, or otherwise in furtherance of, any prohibited personnel practices is itself a prohibited personnel practice.

The bill extends the period for the OSC to determine whether information it receives from an employee or applicant discloses: (1) a violation of a law, rule, or regulation; or (2) gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health and safety.

The OSC may petition the MSPB to order corrective action if an agency's investigation was commenced, expanded, or extended in retaliation for certain employee disclosures or protected activities, even if no personnel action is taken.

(Sec. 5) The head of an agency shall refer to the OSC for examination and appropriate action any instance where a whistle-blower has committed suicide.

(Sec. 6) Whistle-blower protections must be incorporated into supervisory employee job requirements and performance appraisals in the Senior Executive Service.

Agencies must report annually to Congress on the number of supervisor performance appraisals in which supervisors were found to have unacceptable performance ratings under whistle-blower protection criteria.

(Sec. 7) The bill authorizes discipline against supervisors forretaliation against whistle-blowers.

(Sec. 8) The OSC may terminate an investigation of an alleged prohibited personnel practice under certain circumstances, without further inquiry or an opportunity for the individual who submitted the allegation to respond, if: (1) the same allegation had previously been made by the individual and was investigated by the OSC or filed by the individual with the MSPB, (2) the OSC does not have jurisdiction, or (3) the individual knew or should have known of the alleged practice three years before the OSC received the allegation.

(Sec. 9) The OSC must enter into at least one agreement with a federal agency inspector general to receive, review, and investigate complaints from OSC employees. OSC employees may communicate directly with such inspector general without prior approval from the OSC.

(Sec. 10) The bill expands the OSC's annual reporting requirements to require additional information on investigations, disciplinary actions, subpoenas, and other matters.

If an allegation submitted to the OSC is resolved by an agreement between an agency and an individual, the OSC shall report to Congresson the agreement.

(Sec. 11) The OSC shall design and establish a pilot program under which it shall conduct a survey of individuals who have filed a complaint or disclosure within the OSC.

(Sec. 12) The OSC must prescribe regulations for carrying out its functions within two years after the enactment of this bill.

(Sec. 13) The bill amends the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 to reauthorize the OSC through FY2022.

]]> 35 2017-08-01 Passed Senate amended 2018-01-10T21:45:24Z Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) The Office of Special (OSC) is an independent investigative and prosecutorial agency that protects federal employees from retaliation for whistle-blower disclosures and prohibited personnel practices.

This bill expands the scope of OSC's authority by authorizing it: (1) to have timely access to material that relates to an investigation involving whistle-blower disclosures and prohibited personnel practices, (2) to request from any agency information or assistance necessary for it to carry out its duties, and (3) to require an agency to provide it with any record or other information that relates to an investigation, review, or inquiry. This new OCS authority shall not apply to any entity that is an element of the intelligence community, unless the OSC is investigating or carrying out activities relating to certain enforcement actions. A claim of common law privilege by an agency, or an agency employee, shall not prevent the OSC from obtaining such materials.

(Sec. 3) Agencies must inform their employees of: (1) whistle-blower protections available to new employees during a probationary period, (2) the role of the OSC and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), and (3) appeal rights. Agency websites must contain whistle-blower protection information. Supervisory training is authorized with respect to employee complaints alleging a violation of whistle-blower protections.

(Sec. 4) The accessing of the medical record of another employee as a part of, or otherwise in furtherance of, any prohibited personnel practices is itself a prohibited personnel practice.

The bill extends the period for the OSC to determine whether information it receives from an employee or applicant discloses: (1) a violation of a law, rule, or regulation; or (2) gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health and safety.

The OSC may petition the MSPB to order corrective action if an agency's investigation was commenced, expanded, or extended in retaliation for certain employee disclosures or protected activities, even if no personnel action is taken.

(Sec. 5) The head of an agency shall refer to the OSC for examination and appropriate action any instance where a whistle-blower has committed suicide

(Sec. 6) Whistle-blower protections must be incorporated into supervisory employee job requirements and performance appraisals in the Senior Executive Service.

Agencies must report annually to Congress on the number of supervisor performance appraisals in which supervisors were found to have unacceptable performance ratings under whistle-blower protection criteria.

(Sec. 7) The bill authorizes discipline against supervisors based on retaliation against whistle-blowers.

(Sec. 8) The OSC may terminate an investigation of an alleged prohibited personnel practice under certain circumstances, without further inquiry or an opportunity for the individual who submitted the allegation to respond, if: (1) the same allegation had previously been made by the individual and was investigated by the OSC or filed by the individual with the MSPB, (2) the OSC does not have jurisdiction, or (3) the individual knew or should have known of the alleged practice three years before the OSC received the allegation.

(Sec. 9) The OSC must enter into at least one agreement with an agency inspector general to receive, review, and investigate complaints by OSC employees. OSC employees may communicate directly with such inspector general without prior approval from the OSC.

(Sec. 10) The bill expands the OSC's annual reporting requirements to require additional information on investigations, disciplinary actions, subpoenas, and other matters.

If an allegation submitted to the OSC is resolved by an agreement between an agency and an individual, the OSC shall report to Congress on the agreement.

(Sec. 11) The OSC shall design and establish a pilot program under which it shall conduct a survey of individuals who have filed a complaint or disclosure with the OSC.

(Sec. 12) The OSC must prescribe regulations for carrying out its functions within two years after enactment of this bill.

(Sec. 13) The bill amends the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 to reauthorize the OSC through FY2022.

]]> Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2017 Display Title Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2017 Official Title as Introduced A bill to reauthorize the Office of Special Counsel, and for other purposes. Introduced in Senate IS Short Titles as Introduced Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2017 Short Titles as Reported to Senate Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2017 S Senate Short Titles as Passed Senate Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2017 S Senate 746 115 SAMDT To permit an Inspector General to withhold certain material from the Office of Special Counsel if the material is derived from, or pertains to, intelligence activities. 2020-12-15T16:51:36Z 2017-08-01 Amendment SA 746 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. SA 746 https://www.congress.gov/amendment/115th-congress/senate-amendment/746 J000293 Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI] Ron Johnson R WI 2017-08-01T04:00:00Z 2017-08-01T04:00:00Z Senate 115 S Senate S 582 Office of Special Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2017 2023-01-11T13:36:18Z 6 2017-08-01 0 Senate Amendment SA 746 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Floor 2017-08-01 0 Senate Amendment SA 746 proposed by Senator Portman for Senator Johnson. (consideration: CR S4687; text: CR S4690-4694) To permit an Inspector General to withhold certain material from the Office of Special Counsel if the material is derived from, or pertains to, intelligence activities. Floor 2017-08-01 Senate amendment proposed (on the floor): Amendment SA 746 proposed by Senator Portman for Senator Johnson.(consideration: CR S4687; text: CR S4690-4694) Floor 93000 9 Library of Congress 2017-08-01 Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 746 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Floor 94000 9 Library of Congress 2017-08-01 Senate amendment submitted Floor 91000 9 Library of Congress Referred in House 2017-08-04T04:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-115s582rfh/xml/BILLS-115s582rfh.xml Engrossed in Senate 2017-08-01T04:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-115s582es/xml/BILLS-115s582es.xml Reported to Senate 2017-05-18T04:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-115s582rs/xml/BILLS-115s582rs.xml Introduced in Senate 2017-03-08T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-115s582is/xml/BILLS-115s582is.xml 2017-08-04 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress This file contains bill summaries and statuses for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.