    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    117 STAT. 2896

    Public Law 108-196
    108th Congress

    An Act

    To provide for a report on the parity of pay and benefits among Federal
    law enforcement officers and to establish an exchange program between
    Federal law enforcement employees and State and local law enforcement
    employees. <>

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

    SECTION 1. <> SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Law Enforcement Pay and
    Benefits Parity Act of 2003''.

    SEC. 2. LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY AND BENEFITS PARITY REPORT.

    (a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``law enforcement
    officer'' means an individual--
    (1)(A) who is a law enforcement officer defined under
    section 8331 or 8401 of title 5, United States Code; or
    (B) the duties of whose position include the investigation,
    apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted
    of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States; and
    (2) who is employed by the Federal Government.

    (b) Report.--Not <> later than April 30, 2004, the
    Office of Personnel Management shall submit a report to the President of
    the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
    appropriate committees and subcommittees of Congress that includes--
    (1) a comparison of classifications, pay, and benefits among
    law enforcement officers across the Federal Government; and
    (2) recommendations for ensuring, to the maximum extent
    practicable, the elimination of disparities in classifications,
    pay and benefits for law enforcement officers throughout the
    Federal Government.
    SEC. 3. <> EMPLOYEE EXCHANGE PROGRAM
    BETWEEN FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEES OF
    STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section--
    (1) the term ``employing agency'' means the Federal, State,
    or local government agency with which the participating employee
    was employed before an assignment under the Program;
    (2) the term ``participating employee'' means an employee
    who is participating in the Program; and
    (3) the term ``Program'' means the employee exchange program
    established under subsection (b).

    [[Page 2897]]
    117 STAT. 2897

    (b) Establishment.--The <> President shall
    establish an employee exchange program between Federal agencies that
    perform law enforcement functions and agencies of State and local
    governments that perform law enforcement functions.

    (c) Conduct of Program.--The Program shall be conducted in
    accordance with subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States
    Code.
    (d) Qualifications.--An employee of an employing agency who performs
    law enforcement functions may be selected to participate in the Program
    if the employee--
    (1) has been employed by that employing agency for a period
    of more than 3 years;
    (2) has had appropriate training or experience to perform
    the work required by the assignment;
    (3) has had an overall rating of satisfactory or higher on
    performance appraisals from the employing agency during the 3-
    year period before being assigned to another agency under this
    section; and
    (4) agrees to return to the employing agency after
    completing the assignment for a period not less than the length
    of the assignment.

    (e) Written Agreement.--An employee shall enter into a written
    agreement regarding the terms and conditions of the assignment before
    beginning the assignment with another agency.

    Approved December 19, 2003.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 1683:
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SENATE REPORTS: No. 108-207 (Comm. on Governmental Affairs).
    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 149 (2003):
    Nov. 25, considered and passed Senate.
    Dec. 8, considered and passed House.
    WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 39 (2003):
    Dec. 19, Presidential statement.