    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 115-397
    115th Congress

    An Act

    To amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to reform the
    procedures provided under such Act for the initiation, review, and
    resolution of claims alleging that employing offices of the legislative
    branch have violated the rights and protections provided to their
    employees under such Act, including protections against sexual
    harassment, 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; REFERENCES IN ACT; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Congressional
    Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act''.
    (b) References in Act.--Except as otherwise expressly provided,
    whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
    amendment to or repeal of a section or other provision, the reference
    shall be considered to be made to that section or other provision of the
    Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.).
    (c) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
    follows:

    Sec. 1. Short title; references in Act; table of contents.

    TITLE I--REFORM OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES

    Subtitle A--Reform of Procedures for Initiation, Preliminary Review, and
    Resolution of Claims

    Sec. 101. Description of procedures available for consideration of
    alleged violations.
    Sec. 102. Reform of process for initiation of procedures.
    Sec. 103. Preliminary review of claims by hearing officer.
    Sec. 104. Availability of mediation during process.

    Subtitle B--Other Reforms

    Sec. 111. Requiring Members of Congress to reimburse Treasury for
    amounts paid as settlements and awards in cases of acts by
    Members.
    Sec. 112. Automatic referral to Congressional Ethics Committees of
    disposition of certain claims alleging violations of
    Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 involving Members of
    Congress and senior staff.
    Sec. 113. Availability of remote work assignment or paid leave of
    absence during pendency of procedures.
    Sec. 114. Modification of rules on confidentiality of proceedings.
    Sec. 115. Reimbursement by other employing offices of legislative branch
    of payments of certain awards and settlements.

    TITLE II--IMPROVING OPERATIONS OF OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL WORKPLACE
    RIGHTS

    Sec. 201. Reports on awards and settlements.
    Sec. 202. Workplace climate surveys of employing offices.
    Sec. 203. Record retention.
    Sec. 204. Confidential advisors.
    Sec. 205. GAO study of management practices.

    [[Page 5298]]

    Sec. 206. GAO audit of cybersecurity.

    TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS REFORMS

    Sec. 301. Application of Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of
    2008.
    Sec. 302. Extension to unpaid staff of rights and protections against
    employment discrimination.
    Sec. 303. Clarification of treatment of Library of Congress visitors.
    Sec. 304. Notices.
    Sec. 305. Clarification of coverage of employees of Helsinki and China
    Commissions.
    Sec. 306. Training and education programs of other employing offices.
    Sec. 307. Support for out-of-area covered employees.
    Sec. 308. Renaming Office of Compliance as Office of Congressional
    Workplace Rights.

    TITLE IV--EFFECTIVE DATE

    Sec. 401. Effective date.

    TITLE I--REFORM OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES

    Subtitle A--Reform of Procedures for Initiation, Preliminary Review, and
    Resolution of Claims

    SEC. 101. DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURES AVAILABLE FOR CONSIDERATION OF
    ALLEGED VIOLATIONS.

    (a) Procedures Described.--Section 401 (2 U.S.C. 1401) is amended to
    read as follows:
    ``SEC. 401. PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION OF ALLEGED VIOLATIONS.

    ``(a) Filing and Review of Claims.--Except as otherwise provided,
    the procedure for consideration of an alleged violation of part A of
    title II consists of--
    ``(1) the filing of a claim by the covered employee alleging
    the violation, as provided in section 402;
    ``(2) the preliminary review of the claim, to be conducted
    by a hearing officer as provided in section 403;
    ``(3) mediation as provided in section 404, if requested and
    agreed to by the parties under that section; and
    ``(4) <>  a formal hearing as provided in
    section 405, subject to Board review as provided in section 406
    and judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for
    the Federal Circuit as provided in section 407.

    ``(b) Right of Employee to File Civil Action.--
    ``(1) Civil action.--Only a covered employee who has filed a
    claim timely as provided in section 402 and who has not
    submitted a request for a hearing on the claim pursuant to
    section 405(a) may, during the period described in paragraph
    (3), file a civil action in a District Court of the United
    States with respect to the violation alleged in the claim, as
    provided in section 408.
    ``(2) Effect of filing civil action.--Notwithstanding
    paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (a), if the covered
    employee files such a civil action--

    [[Page 5299]]

    ``(A) the preliminary review of the claim by the
    hearing officer as provided in section 403 shall
    terminate upon the filing of the action by the covered
    employee; and
    ``(B) the procedure for consideration of the alleged
    violation shall not include any further review of the
    claim by the hearing officer as provided in section 403.
    ``(3) Period for filing civil action.--The period described
    in this paragraph with respect to a claim is the 70-day period
    which begins on the date the covered employee files the claim
    under section 402.
    ``(4) Special rule for employees who
    fail <>  to state a claim for which relief may
    be granted.--Notwithstanding paragraph (3), if a covered
    employee receives a written notice from the hearing officer
    under section 403(d)(2) that the employee has the right to file
    a civil action with respect to the claim in accordance with
    section 408, the covered employee may file the civil action not
    later than 90 days after receiving such written notice.

    ``(c) Special Rule for Architect of the Capitol and Capitol
    Police.--In the case of an employee of the Office of the Architect of
    the Capitol or of the Capitol Police, the Office, after receiving a
    claim filed under section 402, may recommend that the employee use the
    grievance procedures of the Architect of the Capitol or the Capitol
    Police for resolution of the employee's grievance for a specific period
    of time. Any deadline in this Act relating to a claim for which the
    employee is using the grievance procedures, that has not already passed
    by the first day of that specific period, shall be stayed during that
    specific period.
    ``(d) Election of Remedies for Library of Congress.--
    ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
    ``(A) Direct act.--The term `direct Act' means an
    Act (other than this Act), or provision of the Revised
    Statutes, that is specified in section 201, 202, or 203.
    ``(B) Direct provision.--The term `direct provision'
    means a provision (including a definitional provision)
    of a direct Act that applies the rights or protections
    of a direct Act (including rights and protections
    relating to nonretaliation or noncoercion) to a Library
    claimant.
    ``(C) Library claimant.--The term `Library claimant'
    means, with respect to a direct provision, an employee
    of the Library of Congress who is covered by that direct
    provision.
    ``(2) Election after proceedings initially <>  brought under this act.--A Library claimant who
    initially files a claim for an alleged violation as provided in
    section 402 may, at any time before the date that is 10 days
    after a hearing officer submits the report on the preliminary
    review of the claim under section 403(c), elect to bring the
    claim for a proceeding before the corresponding Federal agency
    under the corresponding direct provision, instead of continuing
    with the procedures applicable to the claim under this title or
    filing a civil action in accordance with section 408.
    ``(3) Election after proceedings initially brought under
    other civil rights or labor law.--A Library claimant who
    initially brings a claim, complaint, or charge under a direct
    provision for a proceeding before a Federal agency may,

    [[Page 5300]]

    prior to requesting a hearing under the agency's procedures,
    elect to--
    ``(A) continue with the agency's procedures and
    preserve the option (if any) to bring any civil action
    relating to the claim, complaint, or charge, that is
    available to the Library claimant; or
    ``(B) file a claim with the Office under section 402
    and continue with the corresponding procedures of this
    title available and applicable to a covered employee.
    ``(4) Timing.--A Library claimant who meets the initial
    deadline under section 402(d) for filing a claim under this
    title, or any initial deadline for bringing a claim, complaint,
    or charge under the applicable direct provision, and then elects
    to change to alternative procedures as described in paragraph
    (2) or (3)(B), shall be considered to meet any initial deadline
    for the alternative procedures.
    ``(5) Application.--This subsection shall take effect and
    shall apply as described in section 153(c) of the Legislative
    Branch Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-141) (except to
    the extent such section applies to any violation of section 210
    or a provision of an Act specified in section 210).

    ``(e) Rights of Parties to Retain Private Counsel.--Nothing in this
    Act may be construed to limit the authority of any individual (including
    a covered employee, the head of an employing office, or an individual
    who is alleged to have committed personally an act which consists of a
    violation of part A of title II) to retain counsel to protect the
    interests of the individual at any point during any of the procedures
    provided under this title for the consideration of an alleged violation
    of part A of title II, including as provided under section 415(d)(8)
    with respect to individuals subject to a reimbursement requirement of
    section 415(d).
    ``(f) Standards for Assertions Made by Parties.--Any party in any of
    the procedures provided under this title, as well as any counsel or
    other person representing a party in any of such procedures, shall have
    an obligation to ensure that, to the best of the party's knowledge,
    information, and belief, as formed after an inquiry which is reasonable
    under the circumstances, each of the following is correct:
    ``(1) No pleading, written motion, or other paper is
    presented for any improper purpose, such as to harass, cause
    unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of resolution
    of the matter.
    ``(2) The claims, defenses, and other legal contentions the
    party advocates are warranted by existing law or by a
    nonfrivolous argument for extending, modifying, or reversing
    existing law or for establishing new law.
    ``(3) The factual contentions have evidentiary support or,
    if specifically so identified, will likely have evidentiary
    support after a reasonable opportunity for further review or
    discovery.
    ``(4) The denials of factual contentions are warranted on
    the evidence or, if specifically so identified, are reasonably
    based on belief or a lack of information.

    ``(g) Procedure.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to
    supersede or limit section 225(d)(2).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Civil Action.--Section 408(a)
    (2 U.S.C. 1408(a)) is amended--
    (1) by striking ``section 404'' and inserting ``section
    401'';

    [[Page 5301]]

    (2) by striking ``who has completed counseling under section
    402 and mediation under section 403''; and
    (3) by striking the second sentence.

    (c) Other Conforming Amendments to Title IV.--Title IV is amended--
    (1) by striking section 404 (2 U.S.C. 1404); and
    (2) by redesignating section 403 (2 U.S.C. 1403) as section
    404.

    (d) Miscellaneous Conforming Amendment.--Section 225 (2 U.S.C. 1361)
    is amended--
    (1) by striking subsection (e); and
    (2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e).

    (e) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents is amended--
    (1) by striking the item relating to section 404; and
    (2) by redesignating the item relating to section 403 as
    relating to section 404.
    SEC. 102. REFORM OF PROCESS FOR INITIATION OF PROCEDURES.

    (a) Initiation of Procedures.--Section 402 (2 U.S.C. 1402) is
    amended to read as follows:
    ``SEC. 402. INITIATION OF PROCEDURES.

    ``(a) Claim.--
    ``(1) Filing of claim.--To commence a proceeding under this
    title, a covered employee alleging a violation of law made
    applicable under part A of title II shall file a claim with the
    Office. The Office shall not accept a claim which is filed after
    the deadline applicable under subsection (d).
    ``(2) Contents of claim.--The claim filed under this section
    shall be made in writing under oath or affirmation, shall
    describe the facts that form the basis of the claim and the
    violation that is being alleged, shall identify the employing
    office alleged to have committed the violation or in which the
    violation is alleged to have occurred, and shall be in such form
    as the Office requires.
    ``(3) No effect on ability of covered employee to seek
    information from office or pursue relief.--Nothing in paragraph
    (2), or subsection (b) or (c), may be construed to limit the
    ability of a covered employee--
    ``(A) to contact the Office or any other appropriate
    office prior to filing a claim under this section to
    seek information regarding the employee's rights under
    this Act and the procedures available under this Act;
    ``(B) in the case of a covered employee of an
    employing office of the House of Representatives or
    Senate, to refer information regarding an alleged
    violation of part A of title II to the Committee on
    Ethics of the House of Representatives or the Select
    Committee on Ethics of the Senate (as the case may be);
    or
    ``(C) to file a civil action in accordance with
    section 401(b).

    ``(b) Initial Processing of Claim.--
    ``(1) Intake and recording; notification to employing
    office.--Upon the filing of a claim by a covered employee under
    subsection (a), the Office shall take such steps as may be
    necessary for the initial intake and recording of the claim,
    including providing each party with all relevant information

    [[Page 5302]]

    with respect to the rights of the party under this Act, and
    shall transmit immediately a copy of the claim to the head of
    the employing office and the designated representative of that
    office.
    ``(2) Special notification requirements for claims based on
    acts by members of congress.--
    ``(A) <>  In general.--In the
    case of a claim alleging a violation described in
    subparagraph (B) which consists of a violation described
    in section 415(d)(1)(A) by an individual, upon the
    filing of the claim under subsection (a), the Office
    shall notify immediately such individual of the claim,
    the possibility that the individual may be required to
    reimburse the account described in section 415(a) for
    the reimbursable portion of any award or settlement in
    connection with the claim, and the right of the
    individual under section 415(d)(8) to intervene in any
    mediation, hearing, or civil action under this title
    with respect to the claim.
    ``(B) Violations described.--A violation described
    in this subparagraph is--
    ``(i) harassment that is unlawful under
    section 201(a) or 206(a); or
    ``(ii) intimidation, reprisal, or
    discrimination that is unlawful under section 207
    and is taken against a covered employee because of
    a claim alleging a violation described in clause
    (i).

    ``(c) Use of Secure Electronic Reporting and Tracking System.--
    ``(1) Establishment and operation of secure system.--The
    Office shall establish and operate a secure electronic reporting
    system through which a covered employee may initiate a
    proceeding under this title, and which will keep an electronic
    record of the date and time at which the proceeding is initiated
    and will track all subsequent actions or proceedings occurring
    with respect to the proceeding under this title.
    ``(2) Accessibility to all parties.--The system shall be
    accessible to all parties to such actions or proceedings, but
    only until the completion of such actions or proceedings.
    ``(3) <>  Assessment of effectiveness of
    procedures.--The Office shall use the information contained in
    the system to make regular assessments of the effectiveness of
    the procedures under this title in providing for the timely
    resolution of claims, and shall submit semi-annual reports on
    such assessments each year to the Committee on House
    Administration of the House of Representatives and the Committee
    on Rules and Administration of the Senate.

    ``(d) Deadline.--A covered employee may not file a claim under this
    section with respect to an allegation of a violation of law after the
    expiration of the 180-day period which begins on the date of the alleged
    violation.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents is amended by
    amending the item relating to section 402 to read as follows:

    ``Sec. 402. Initiation of procedures.''.

    [[Page 5303]]

    SEC. 103. PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF CLAIMS BY HEARING OFFICER.

    (a) Preliminary Review Described.--Title IV (2 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.),
    as amended by section 101(c), is further amended by inserting after
    section 402 the following new section:
    ``SEC. 403. <>  PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF CLAIMS.

    ``(a) Preliminary Review by Hearing Officer.--
    ``(1) <>  Appointment.--Not later than 7
    days after transmission to the employing office of a claim
    pursuant to section 402(b), the Executive Director shall appoint
    a hearing officer to conduct a preliminary review of the claim.
    ``(2) Process for appointment.--The Executive Director shall
    appoint a hearing officer under this subsection in the same
    manner and in accordance with the same requirements and
    procedures applicable to the appointment of a hearing officer
    under section 405(c).

    ``(b) Assessments Required.--In conducting a preliminary review of a
    claim under this section, the hearing officer shall assess each of the
    following:
    ``(1) Whether the claimant is a covered employee authorized
    to obtain relief relating to the claim under this title.
    ``(2) Whether the office which is the subject of the claim
    is an employing office under this Act.
    ``(3) Whether the individual filing the claim has met the
    applicable deadlines for filing the claim under this title.
    ``(4) The identification of factual and legal issues
    involved with respect to the claim.
    ``(5) The specific relief sought by the individual.
    ``(6) Whether, on the basis of the assessments made under
    paragraphs (1) through (5), the individual filing the claim is a
    covered employee who has stated a claim for which, if the
    allegations contained in the claim are true, relief may be
    granted under this title.
    ``(7) The potential for the settlement of the claim without
    a formal hearing as provided under section 405 or a civil action
    as provided under section 408.

    ``(c) Report on Review.--
    ``(1) Report.--Not later than 30 days after a claim is filed
    under section 402, the hearing officer shall submit to the
    individual filing the claim and the office which is the subject
    of the claim a report on the preliminary review conducted under
    this section, and shall include in the report the hearing
    officer's determination as to whether the individual is a
    covered employee who has stated a claim for which relief may be
    granted under this title (as described in paragraph (6) of
    subsection (b)). The submission of the report shall conclude the
    preliminary review.
    ``(2) <>  Extension of deadline.--The hearing
    officer may (upon notice to the individual filing the claim and
    the employing office which is the subject of the claim) use an
    additional period of not to exceed 30 days to conclude the
    preliminary review.

    ``(d) Effect of Determination of Failure to State Claim for Which
    Relief May Be Granted.--If the hearing officer's report on the
    preliminary review of a claim under subsection (c) includes the
    determination that the individual filing the claim

    [[Page 5304]]

    is not a covered employee or has not stated a claim for which relief may
    be granted under this title--
    ``(1) the individual (including an individual who is a
    Library claimant, as defined in section 401(d)(1)) may not
    obtain a formal hearing with respect to the claim as provided
    under section 405; and
    ``(2) <>  the hearing officer shall provide
    the individual and the Executive Director with a written notice
    that the individual may file a civil action with respect to the
    claim in accordance with section 408.

    ``(e) Transmission of Report on Preliminary Review of Certain Claims
    to Congressional Ethics Committees.--In the case of a hearing officer's
    report under subsection (c) on the preliminary review of a claim
    alleging a violation described in section 415(d)(1)(A), the hearing
    officer shall transmit the report to--
    ``(1) the Committee on Ethics of the House of
    Representatives, in the case of such an act by a Member of the
    House of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident
    Commissioner to the Congress); or
    ``(2) the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate, in the
    case of such an act by a Senator.''.

    (b) Deadline for Requesting Hearing After Preliminary Review.--
    Section 405(a) (2 U.S.C. 1405(a)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Requirement for Hearings to Commence in Office.--
    ``(1) Hearing required upon request.--If, not later than 10
    days after a hearing officer submits the report on the
    preliminary review of a claim under section 403(c), a covered
    employee submits a request to the Executive Director for a
    hearing under this section, the Executive Director shall appoint
    an independent hearing officer pursuant to subsection (c) to
    consider the claim and render a decision, and a hearing shall be
    commenced in the Office.
    ``(2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) does not apply with respect
    to the claim if--
    ``(A) the hearing officer's report on the
    preliminary review of the claim under section 403(c)
    includes the determination that the individual filing
    the claim is not a covered employee who has stated a
    claim for which relief may be granted under this title
    (as described in section 403(d)); or
    ``(B) the covered employee files a civil action as
    provided in section 408 with respect to the claim.''.

    (c) Prohibiting Hearing Officer Conducting Preliminary Review From
    Conducting Hearing.--Section 405(c) (2 U.S.C. 1405(c)) is amended by
    adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(3) Prohibiting hearing officer conducting preliminary
    review from conducting hearing.--The Executive Director may not
    appoint a hearing officer to conduct a hearing under this
    section with respect to a claim if the hearing officer conducted
    the preliminary review with respect to the claim under section
    403.''.

    (d) Deadline for Commencement of Hearing; Permitting Additional
    Time.--Section 405(d) (2 U.S.C. 1405(d)) is amended by striking
    paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

    [[Page 5305]]

    ``(2) commenced no later than 90 days after the Executive
    Director receives the covered employee's request for the hearing
    under subsection (a), except that, upon mutual agreement of the
    parties or for good cause, the Office shall extend the time for
    commencing a hearing for not more than an additional 30 days;
    and''.

    (e) Other Conforming Amendments Relating to Hearings Conducted by
    Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.--Section 405 (2 U.S.C. 1405)
    is amended as follows:
    (1) In the heading, by striking ``complaint and''.
    (2) In subsection (c)(1), by striking ``complaint'' and
    inserting ``request for a hearing under subsection (a)''.
    (3) In subsection (d) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
    by striking ``complaint'' and inserting ``claim''.
    (4) In subsection (g), by striking ``complaint'' and
    inserting ``claim''.

    (f) Other Conforming Amendment.--The heading of section 414 (2
    U.S.C. 1414) is amended by striking ``of complaints''.
    (g) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents, as amended by
    section 101(e), is further amended as follows:
    (1) By inserting after the item relating to section 402 the
    following new item:

    ``Sec. 403. Preliminary review of claims.''.

    (2) By amending the item relating to section 405 to read as
    follows:

    ``Sec. 405. Hearing.''.

    (3) By amending the item relating to section 414 to read as
    follows:

    ``Sec. 414. Settlement.''.

    SEC. 104. AVAILABILITY OF MEDIATION DURING PROCESS.

    (a) Availability of Mediation.--Section 404(a) (2 U.S.C. 1403(a)),
    as redesignated by section 101(c), is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Availability of Mediation.--
    ``(1) Notification regarding mediation.--
    ``(A) Covered employee.--Upon receipt of a claim
    under section 402, the Office shall notify the covered
    employee who filed the claim about the process for
    mediation under this section and the deadlines
    applicable to such mediation.
    ``(B) Employing office.--Upon transmission to the
    employing office of the claim pursuant to section
    402(b), the Office shall notify the employing office
    about the process for mediation under this section and
    the deadlines applicable to such mediation.
    ``(2) Initiation.--
    ``(A) In general.--During the period described in
    subparagraph (B), either the covered employee who filed
    a claim under section 402 or the employing office named
    in the claim may file a request for mediation with the
    Office, which shall promptly notify the other party. If
    the other party agrees to the request, the Office shall
    promptly assign a mediator to the claim, and conduct
    mediation under this section.

    [[Page 5306]]

    ``(B) Timing.--A covered employee or an employing
    office may file a request for mediation under
    subparagraph (A) during the period beginning on the date
    that the covered employee or employing office,
    respectively, receives a notification under paragraph
    (1) regarding a claim under section 402 and ending on
    the date on which a hearing officer issues a written
    decision relating to the claim under section 405(g) or
    the covered employee files a civil action with respect
    to the claim in accordance with section 408, as
    applicable.
    ``(3) Failure to request or accept mediation to have no
    effect on treatment of claim.--The failure of a party to request
    mediation under this section with respect to a claim, or the
    failure of a party to agree to a request for mediation under
    this section, may not be taken into consideration under any
    procedure under this title with respect to the claim, including
    a preliminary review under section 403, a formal hearing under
    section 405, or a civil action under section 408.''.

    (b) Requiring Parties to Be Separated During Mediation at Request of
    Employee.--Section 404(b)(2) (2 U.S.C. 1403(b)(2)), as redesignated by
    section 101(c), is amended by striking ``meetings with the parties
    separately or jointly'' and inserting ``meetings with the parties during
    which, at the request of any of the parties, the parties shall be
    separated,''.
    (c) Period of Mediation.--Section 404(c) (2 U.S.C. 1403(c)), as
    redesignated by section 101(c), is amended by striking the first 2
    sentences and inserting the following: ``The mediation period shall be
    30 days, beginning on the first day after the second party agrees to the
    request for the mediation. The mediation period may be extended for one
    additional period of 30 days at the joint request of the covered
    employee and employing office. Any deadline in this Act relating to a
    claim for which mediation has been agreed to in this section, that has
    not already passed by the first day of the mediation period, shall be
    stayed during the mediation period.''.

    Subtitle B--Other Reforms

    SEC. 111. REQUIRING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO REIMBURSE TREASURY FOR
    AMOUNTS PAID AS SETTLEMENTS AND AWARDS IN
    CASES OF ACTS BY MEMBERS.

    (a) Mandating Reimbursement of Amounts Paid.--Section 415 (2 U.S.C.
    1415) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Reimbursement by Members of Congress of Amounts Paid as
    Settlements and Awards.--
    ``(1) Reimbursement required for certain violations.--
    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraphs (B) and
    (D), if a payment is made from the account described in
    subsection (a) for an award or settlement in connection
    with a claim alleging a violation described in
    subparagraph (C) committed personally by an individual
    who, at the time of committing the violation, was a
    Member of the House of Representatives (including a
    Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress) or a
    Senator, the individual

    [[Page 5307]]

    shall reimburse the account for the amount of the award
    or settlement for the claim involved.
    ``(B) <>  Conditions.--In the
    case of an award made pursuant to a decision of a
    hearing officer under section 405, or a court in a civil
    action, subparagraph (A) shall apply only if the hearing
    officer or court makes a separate finding that a
    violation described in subparagraph (C) occurred which
    was committed personally by an individual who, at the
    time of committing the violation, was a Member of the
    House of Representatives (including a Delegate or
    Resident Commissioner to the Congress) or a Senator, and
    such individual shall reimburse the account for the
    amount of compensatory damages included in the award as
    would be available if awarded under section 1977A(b)(3)
    of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1981a(b)(3))
    irrespective of the size of the employing office. In the
    case of a settlement for a claim described in section
    416(d)(3), subparagraph (A) shall apply only if the
    conditions specified in section 416(d)(3) for requesting
    reimbursement are met.
    ``(C) Violations described.--A violation described
    in this subparagraph is--
    ``(i) harassment that is unlawful under
    section 201(a) or 206(a); or
    ``(ii) intimidation, reprisal, or
    discrimination that is unlawful under section 207
    and is taken against a covered employee because of
    a claim alleging a violation described in clause
    (i).
    ``(D) Multiple claims.--If an award or settlement is
    made for multiple claims, some of which do not require
    reimbursement under this subsection, the individual
    described in subparagraph (A) shall only be required to
    reimburse for the amount (referred to in this Act as the
    `reimbursable portion') that is--
    ``(i) described in subparagraph (A), subject
    to subparagraph (B); and
    ``(ii) included in the portion of the award or
    settlement attributable to a claim requiring
    reimbursement.
    ``(2) Withholding amounts from compensation.--
    ``(A) Establishment of timetable and procedures by
    committees.--For purposes of carrying out subparagraph
    (B), the applicable Committee shall establish a
    timetable and procedures for the withholding of amounts
    from the compensation of an individual who is a Member
    of the House of Representatives or a Senator.
    ``(B) Deadline.--The payroll administrator shall
    withhold from an individual's compensation and transfer
    to the account described in subsection (a) (after making
    any deposit required under section 8432(f) of title 5,
    United States Code) such amounts as may be necessary to
    reimburse the account described in subsection (a) for
    the reimbursable portion of the award or settlement
    described in paragraph (1) if the individual has not
    reimbursed the account as required under paragraph (1)
    prior to the expiration of the 90-day period which
    begins on the date a payment is made from the account
    for such an award or settlement.

    [[Page 5308]]

    ``(C) Applicable committee defined.--In this
    paragraph, the term `applicable Committee' means--
    ``(i) the Committee on House Administration of
    the House of Representatives, in the case of an
    individual who, at the time of the withholding, is
    a Member of the House; or
    ``(ii) the Committee on Rules and
    Administration of the Senate, in the case of an
    individual who, at the time of the withholding, is
    a Senator.
    ``(3) Use of amounts in thrift savings fund as source of
    reimbursement.--
    ``(A) <>  In general.--If, by the
    expiration of the 180-day period that begins on the date
    a payment is made from the account described in
    subsection (a) for an award or settlement described in
    paragraph (1), an individual who is subject to a
    reimbursement requirement of this subsection has not
    reimbursed the account for the entire reimbursable
    portion as required under paragraph (1), withholding and
    transfers of amounts shall continue under paragraph (2)
    if the individual remains employed in the same position,
    and the Executive Director of the Federal Retirement
    Thrift Investment Board shall make a transfer described
    in subparagraph (B).
    ``(B) Transfers.--The transfer by such Executive
    Director is a transfer, from the account of the
    individual in the Thrift Savings Fund to the account
    described in subsection (a), of an amount equal to the
    amount of that reimbursable portion of the award or
    settlement, reduced by--
    ``(i) any amount the individual has
    reimbursed, taking into account any amounts
    withheld under paragraph (2); and
    ``(ii) if the individual remains employed in
    the same position, any amount that the individual
    is scheduled to reimburse, taking into account any
    amounts to be withheld under the individual's
    timetable under paragraph (2).
    ``(C) Initiation of transfer.--Notwithstanding
    section 8435 of title 5, United States Code, the
    Executive Director described in subparagraph (A) shall
    make the transfer under subparagraph (A) upon receipt of
    a written request to the Executive Director from the
    Secretary of the Treasury, in the form and manner
    required by the Executive Director.
    ``(D) Coordination between payroll administrator and
    the executive director.--The payroll administrator and
    the Executive Director described in subparagraph (A)
    shall carry out this paragraph in a manner that ensures
    the coordination of the withholding and transferring of
    amounts under this paragraph, in accordance with
    regulations promulgated by the Board under section 303
    and such Executive Director.
    ``(4)  Administrative wage garnishment or other collection
    of wages from a subsequent position.--
    ``(A) <>  Individual subject to
    garnishment or other collection.--Subparagraph (B) shall
    apply to an individual who is subject to a reimbursement
    requirement of

    [[Page 5309]]

    this subsection if, at any time after the expiration of
    the 270-day period that begins on the date a payment is
    made from the account described in subsection (a) for an
    award or settlement described in paragraph (1), the
    individual--
    ``(i) has not reimbursed the account for the
    entire reimbursable portion as required under
    paragraph (1), through withholdings or transfers
    under paragraphs (2) and (3);
    ``(ii) is not serving in a position as a
    Member of the House of Representatives or a
    Senator; and
    ``(iii) is employed in a subsequent non-
    Federal position.
    ``(B) <>  Garnishment or other
    collection of wages.--On the expiration of that 270-day
    period, the amount of the reimbursable portion of an
    award or settlement described in paragraph (1) (reduced
    by any amount the individual has reimbursed, taking into
    account any amounts withheld or transferred under
    paragraph (2) or (3)) shall be treated as a claim of the
    United States and transferred to the Secretary of the
    Treasury for collection. Upon that transfer, the
    Secretary of the Treasury shall collect the claim, in
    accordance with section 3711 of title 31, United States
    Code, including by administrative wage garnishment of
    the wages of the individual described in subparagraph
    (A) from the position described in subparagraph
    (A)(iii). The Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer
    the collected amount to the account described in
    subsection (a).
    ``(5) Notification to office of personnel management and
    secretary of the treasury.--
    ``(A) Individual subject to annuity or
    social <>  security withholding.--
    Subparagraph (B) shall apply to an individual subject to
    a reimbursement requirement of this subsection if, at
    any time after the expiration of the 270-day period
    described in paragraph (4)(A), the individual--
    ``(i) has not served in a position as a Member
    of the House of Representatives or a Senator
    during the preceding 90 days; and
    ``(ii) is not employed in a subsequent non-
    Federal position.
    ``(B) <>
    Annuity or social security withholding.--If, at any time
    after the 270-day period described in paragraph (4)(A),
    the individual described in subparagraph (A) has not
    reimbursed the account described in subsection (a) for
    the entire reimbursable portion of the award or
    settlement described in paragraph (1) (as determined by
    the Secretary of the Treasury), through withholdings,
    transfers, or collections under paragraphs (2) through
    (4), the Secretary of the Treasury (after consultation
    with the payroll administrator)--
    ``(i) <>  shall notify
    the Director of the Office of Personnel
    Management, who shall take such actions as the
    Director considers appropriate to withhold from
    any annuity payable to the individual under
    chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5, United States
    Code, and transfer to the account described in
    subsection (a), such amounts as may be necessary
    to reimburse the

    [[Page 5310]]

    account for the remainder of the reimbursable
    portion of an award or settlement described in
    paragraph (1); and
    ``(ii) shall (if necessary), notwithstanding
    section 207 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
    407), take such actions as the Secretary of the
    Treasury considers appropriate to withhold from
    any payment to the individual under title II of
    the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.)
    and transfer to the account described in
    subsection (a), such amounts as may be necessary
    to reimburse the account for the remainder of the
    reimbursable portion of an award or settlement
    described in paragraph (1).
    ``(6) Coordination between opm and treasury.--The Director
    of the Office of Personnel Management and the Secretary of the
    Treasury shall carry out paragraph (5) in a manner that ensures
    the coordination of the withholding and transferring of amounts
    under such paragraph, in accordance with regulations promulgated
    by the Director and the Secretary.
    ``(7) <>  Certification.--Once the
    Executive Director determines that an individual who is subject
    to a reimbursement requirement of this subsection has reimbursed
    the account described in subsection (a) for the entire
    reimbursable portion, the Executive Director shall prepare a
    certification that the individual has completed that
    reimbursement, and submit the certification to--
    ``(A) the Committees on House Administration and
    Ethics of the House of Representatives, in the case of
    an individual who, at the time of committing the act
    involved, was a Member of the House of Representatives
    (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the
    Congress); and
    ``(B) the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate,
    in the case of an individual who, at the time of
    committing the act involved, was a Senator.
    ``(8) Right to intervene.--An individual who is subject to a
    reimbursement requirement of this subsection shall have the
    unconditional right to intervene in any mediation, hearing, or
    civil action under this title to protect the interests of the
    individual in the determination of whether an award or
    settlement described in paragraph (1) should be made, and the
    amount of any such award or settlement, except that nothing in
    this paragraph may be construed to require the covered employee
    who filed the claim to be deposed by counsel for the individual
    in a deposition that is separate from any other deposition taken
    from the employee in connection with the hearing or civil
    action.
    ``(9) Definitions.--In this subsection:
    ``(A) Non-federal position.--The term `non-Federal
    position' means a position other than the position of an
    employee, as defined in section 2105(a) of title 5,
    United States Code.
    ``(B) Payroll administrator.--The term `payroll
    administrator' means--
    ``(i) in the case of an individual who is a
    Member of the House of Representatives, the Chief
    Administrative Officer of the House of
    Representatives, or an

    [[Page 5311]]

    employee of the Office of the Chief Administrative
    Officer who is designated by the Chief
    Administrative Officer to carry out this
    subsection; or
    ``(ii) in the case of an individual who is a
    Senator, the Secretary of the Senate, or an
    employee of the Office of the Secretary of the
    Senate who is designated by the Secretary to carry
    out this subsection.''.

    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 8437(e)(3) of title 5, United
    States Code, is amended by inserting ``an obligation of the Executive
    Director to make a transfer under section 415(d)(3) of the Congressional
    Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1415(d)(3)),'' before ``or an
    obligation''.
    (c) <>  Effective Date.--The
    amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply with respect to
    claims made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    SEC. 112. AUTOMATIC REFERRAL TO CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS COMMITTEES OF
    DISPOSITION OF CERTAIN CLAIMS ALLEGING
    VIOLATIONS OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY
    ACT OF 1995 INVOLVING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
    AND SENIOR STAFF.

    Section 416(e) (2 U.S.C. 1416(e)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(e) Automatic Referral to Congressional Ethics Committee of
    Dispositions of Claims Involving Members of Congress and Senior Staff.--
    ``(1) Referral.--Upon the final disposition under this title
    (as described in paragraph (6)) of a claim alleging a violation
    described in section 415(d)(1)(C) committed personally by a
    Member of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or
    Resident Commissioner to the Congress) or a Senator, or by a
    senior staff of the House of Representatives or Senate, the
    Executive Director shall refer the claim to--
    ``(A) the Committee on Ethics of the House of
    Representatives, in the case of a Member or senior staff
    of the House; or
    ``(B) the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate,
    in the case of a Senator or senior staff of the Senate.
    ``(2) Access to records and information.--If the Executive
    Director refers a claim to a Committee under paragraph (1), the
    Executive Director shall provide the Committee with access to
    the records of any preliminary reviews, hearings, or decisions
    of the hearing officers and the Board under this Act, and any
    information relating to an award or settlement paid, in response
    to such claim.
    ``(3) Review by senate ethics committee of settlements of
    certain claims.--After the receipt of a settlement agreement for
    a claim that includes an allegation of a violation described in
    section 415(d)(1)(C) committed personally by a Senator, the
    Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate shall--
    ``(A) <>  not later than 90 days
    after that receipt, review the settlement agreement;
    ``(B) <>  determine whether an
    investigation of the claim is warranted; and
    ``(C) <>  if the Select
    Committee determines, after the investigation, that the
    claim that resulted in the settlement involved an actual
    violation described in section 415(d)(1)(C) committed
    personally by the Senator, then the

    [[Page 5312]]

    Select Committee shall notify the Executive Director to
    request the reimbursement described in section 415(d)
    and include the settlement in the report required by
    section 301(l).
    ``(4) Protection of personally identifiable information.--If
    a Committee to which a claim is referred under paragraph (1)
    issues a report with respect to the claim, the Committee shall
    ensure that the report does not directly disclose the identity
    or position of the individual who filed the claim.
    ``(5) Committee authority to protect identity of a
    claimant.--
    ``(A) Authority.--If a Committee to which a claim is
    referred under paragraph (1) issues a report as
    described in paragraph (4) concerning a Member of the
    House of Representatives (including a Delegate or
    Resident Commissioner to the Congress) or a Senator, or
    a senior staff of the House of Representatives or
    Senate, the Committee may make an appropriate redaction
    to the information or data included in the report if the
    Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee reach
    agreement--
    ``(i) that including the information or data
    considered for redaction may lead to the
    unintentional disclosure of the identity or
    position of a claimant; and
    ``(ii) on the precise information or data to
    be redacted.
    ``(B) Notation and statement.--The report including
    any such redaction shall note each redaction and include
    a statement that the redaction was made solely for the
    purpose of avoiding such an unintentional disclosure of
    the identity or position of a claimant.
    ``(C) Retention of reports.--The Committee making a
    redaction in accordance with this paragraph shall retain
    a copy of the report, without a redaction.
    ``(6) Final disposition described.--In this subsection, the
    `final disposition' of a claim means any of the following:
    ``(A) An order or agreement to pay an award or
    settlement, including an agreement reached pursuant to
    mediation under section 404.
    ``(B) A final decision of a hearing officer under
    section 405(g) that is no longer subject to review by
    the Board under section 406.
    ``(C) A final decision of the Board under section
    406(e) that is no longer subject to appeal to the United
    States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit under
    section 407.
    ``(D) A final decision in a civil action under
    section 408 that is no longer subject to appeal.
    ``(7) Senior staff defined.--In this subsection, the term
    `senior staff' means any individual who, at the time a violation
    occurred, was required to file a report under title I of the
    Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 101 et seq.).''.
    SEC. 113. AVAILABILITY OF REMOTE WORK ASSIGNMENT OR PAID LEAVE OF
    ABSENCE DURING PENDENCY OF PROCEDURES.

    (a) In General.--Title IV (2 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) is amended by
    adding at the end the following new section:

    [[Page 5313]]

    ``SEC. 417. <>  OPTION TO REQUEST REMOTE WORK
    ASSIGNMENT OR PAID LEAVE OF ABSENCE DURING
    PENDENCY OF PROCEDURES.

    ``(a) Options for Employees.--
    ``(1) Remote work assignment.--At the request of a covered
    employee who files a claim alleging a violation of part A of
    title II by the covered employee's employing office, during the
    pendency of any of the procedures available under this title for
    consideration of the claim, the employing office may permit the
    covered employee to carry out the employee's responsibilities
    from a remote location (referred to in this section as
    `permitting a remote work assignment') where such relocation
    would have the effect of materially reducing interactions
    between the covered employee and any person alleged to have
    committed the violation, instead of from a location of the
    employing office.
    ``(2) 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 subsection cannot carry out the employee's responsibilities
    from a remote location or such relocation would not have the
    effect described in paragraph (1), the employing office may
    during the pendency of the procedures described in paragraph
    (1)--
    ``(A) grant a paid leave of absence to the covered
    employee;
    ``(B) permit a remote work assignment and grant a
    paid leave of absence to the covered employee; or
    ``(C) make another workplace adjustment, or permit a
    remote work assignment, that would have the effect of
    reducing interactions between the covered employee and
    any person alleged to have committed the violation
    described in paragraph (1).
    ``(3) Ensuring no retaliation.--An employing office may not
    grant a covered employee's request under this subsection in a
    manner which would constitute a violation of section 207.
    ``(4) No impact on vacation or personal leave.--In granting
    leave for a paid leave of absence under this section, an
    employing office shall not require the covered employee to
    substitute, for that leave, any of the accrued paid vacation or
    personal leave of the covered employee.

    ``(b) Exception for Arrangements Subject to Collective Bargaining
    Agreements.--Subsection (a) does not apply to the extent that it is
    inconsistent with the terms and conditions of any collective bargaining
    agreement which is in effect with respect to an employing office.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents is amended by adding
    at the end of the items relating to title IV the following new item:

    ``Sec. 417. Option to request remote work assignment or paid leave of
    absence during pendency of procedures.''.

    SEC. 114. MODIFICATION OF RULES ON CONFIDENTIALITY OF PROCEEDINGS.

    (a) Mediation.--Section 416(b) (2 U.S.C. 1416(b)) is amended by
    striking ``All mediation'' and inserting ``All information discussed or
    disclosed in the course of any mediation''.

    [[Page 5314]]

    (b) Claims.--Section 416 (2 U.S.C. 1416), as amended by section 112
    and subsection (a) of this section, is further amended--
    (1) by striking subsection (a);
    (2) by redesignating subsections (b) through (f) as
    subsections (a) through (e), respectively;
    (3) in subsection (b), as redesignated by paragraph (2) of
    this subsection, by striking ``subsections (d), (e), and (f)''
    and inserting ``subsections (c), (d), and (e)''; and
    (4) by adding at the end the following:

    ``(f) Claims.--Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit
    a covered employee from disclosing the factual allegations underlying
    the covered employee's claim, or to prohibit an employing office from
    disclosing the factual allegations underlying the employing office's
    defense to the claim, in the course of any proceeding under this
    title.''.
    SEC. 115. REIMBURSEMENT BY OTHER EMPLOYING OFFICES OF LEGISLATIVE
    BRANCH OF PAYMENTS OF CERTAIN AWARDS AND
    SETTLEMENTS.

    (a) Requiring Reimbursement.--Section 415 (2 U.S.C. 1415), as
    amended by section 111, is further amended by adding at the end the
    following new subsection:
    ``(e) Reimbursement by Employing Offices.--
    ``(1) Notification of payments made from account.--As soon
    as practicable after the Executive Director is made aware that a
    payment of an award or settlement under this Act has been made
    from the account described in subsection (a) in connection with
    a claim alleging a violation of section 201(a) or 206(a) by an
    employing office (other than an employing office of the House of
    Representatives or an employing office of the Senate), the
    Executive Director shall notify the head of the employing office
    that the payment has been made, and shall include in the
    notification a statement of the amount of the payment.
    ``(2) <>  Reimbursement by office.--Not
    later than 180 days after receiving a notification from the
    Executive Director under paragraph (1), the head of the
    employing office involved shall transfer to the account
    described in subsection (a), out of any funds available for
    operating expenses of the office, a payment equal to the amount
    specified in the notification.
    ``(3) Timetable and procedures for reimbursement.--The head
    of an employing office shall transfer a payment under paragraph
    (2) in accordance with such timetable and procedures as may be
    established under regulations promulgated by the Office.''.

    (b) <>  Effective Date.--The
    amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to payments
    made under section 415 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995
    (2 U.S.C. 1415) for claims filed on or after the date of the enactment
    of this Act.

    [[Page 5315]]

    TITLE II--IMPROVING OPERATIONS OF OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL WORKPLACE
    RIGHTS

    SEC. 201. REPORTS ON AWARDS AND SETTLEMENTS.

    (a) Annual Reports on Awards and Settlements.--
    (1) Requiring submission and publication of reports.--
    Section 301 (2 U.S.C. 1381) is amended--
    (A) in subsection (h)(3), by striking ``complaint''
    each place it appears and inserting ``claim''; and
    (B) by adding at the end the following new
    subsection:

    ``(l) Annual Reports on Awards and Settlements.--
    ``(1) In general.--Subject to the rules issued by the
    applicable committee pursuant to paragraph (2):
    ``(A) <>  Requirement.--The
    Office shall prepare and submit to Congress, and publish
    on the public website of the Office, an annual report
    regarding payments from the account described in section
    415(a) that were the result of claims alleging a
    violation of part A of title II (referred to in this
    subsection as `covered payments').
    ``(B) Reporting.--The reporting required under this
    paragraph shall--
    ``(i) for a covered payment, or the
    reimbursable portion of a covered payment,
    described in paragraph (2), conform to the
    requirements of the rules issued by the applicable
    committee under such paragraph; and
    ``(ii) for a covered payment, or the portion
    of a covered payment, not described in paragraph
    (2)--
    ``(I) include the amount of the
    covered payment or portion of the
    covered payment and information on the
    employing office involved; and
    ``(II) identify each provision of
    part A of title II that was the subject
    of a claim resulting in the covered
    payment or portion of the covered
    payment.
    ``(C) Reporting periods and dates.--The reporting
    required under this paragraph--
    ``(i) for 2019, shall be submitted by the 60th
    day after the date on which the committees
    described in paragraph (2) issue the rules
    described in paragraph (2) and shall reflect
    covered payments made in calendar year 2019; and
    ``(ii) for 2020 and each subsequent calendar
    year, shall be submitted by January 31 of that
    year and shall reflect covered payments made in
    the previous calendar year.
    ``(2) Rules regarding reporting of covered payments for
    employing offices of the house and employing offices of the
    senate.--
    ``(A) <>  In general.--Not later
    than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
    subsection, the Committee on House Administration of the
    House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and
    Administration of the

    [[Page 5316]]

    Senate shall each issue rules establishing the content,
    format, and other requirements for the reporting
    required under paragraph (1)(B)(i) with respect to--
    ``(i) any covered payment made for claims
    involving an employing office described in any of
    subparagraphs (A) through (C) of section 101(a)(9)
    of the House of Representatives or of the Senate,
    respectively; and
    ``(ii) the reimbursable portion of any such
    covered payment for which there is a finding
    requiring reimbursement under section 415(d)(1)(B)
    from a Member of the House of Representatives
    (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to
    the Congress) or a Senator, respectively.
    ``(B) Applicability.--The rules issued under
    subparagraph (A)--
    ``(i) by the Committee on House Administration
    of the House of Representatives shall apply to
    covered payments made for claims involving
    employing offices described in subparagraph (A)(i)
    of the House; and
    ``(ii) by the Committee on Rules and
    Administration of the Senate shall apply to
    covered payments made for claims involving
    employing offices described in subparagraph (A)(i)
    of the Senate.
    ``(3) Protection of identity of individuals receiving awards
    and settlements.--In preparing, submitting, and publishing the
    reports required under paragraph (1), the Office shall ensure
    that the identity or position of any claimant is not disclosed.
    ``(4) Authority to protect the identity of a claimant.--
    ``(A) <>  In general.--In
    carrying out paragraph (3), the Executive Director, in
    consultation with the Board, may make an appropriate
    redaction to the data included in the report described
    in paragraph (1) if the Executive Director, in
    consultation with the Board, determines that including
    the data considered for redaction may lead to the
    identity or position of a claimant unintentionally being
    disclosed. The report shall note each redaction and
    include a statement that the redaction was made solely
    for the purpose of avoiding such an unintentional
    disclosure of the identity or position of a claimant.
    ``(B) Recordkeeping.--The Executive Director shall
    retain a copy of the report described in paragraph (1),
    without redactions.
    ``(5) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `claimant'
    means an individual who received an award or settlement, or who
    made an allegation of a violation against an employing office,
    under part A of title II.''.
    (2) <>  Effective date.--The
    amendment made by paragraph (1)(B) shall take effect on January
    1, 2019.

    (b) Report on Amounts Previously Paid.--
    (1) <>  In general.--Not later than 30
    days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Office of
    Congressional Workplace Rights shall submit to Congress and make
    available to the public on the Office's public website a report
    on all payments made with public funds (to include funds paid
    from the account described in section 415(a) of the
    Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1415(a)), an
    account of

    [[Page 5317]]

    the House of Representatives or Senate, or any other account of
    the Federal Government) prior to the date of the enactment of
    this Act for awards and settlements in connection with
    violations of section 201(a) of the Congressional Accountability
    Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1311(a)), or section 207 of such Act (2
    U.S.C. 1317), and shall include in the report the following
    information:
    (A) The amount paid for each such award or
    settlement.
    (B) The source of the public funds used for the
    award or settlement.
    (2) Rule of construction regarding identification of house
    and senate accounts.--Nothing in paragraph (1)(B) may be
    construed to require or permit the Office of Congressional
    Workplace Rights to report the account of any specific office of
    the House of Representatives or Senate as the source of funds
    used for an award or settlement.

    (c) Rulemaking Powers.--Section 501 (2 U.S.C. 1431) is amended in
    the matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting ``, section 301(l),''
    before ``and 304(c)''.
    SEC. 202. <>  WORKPLACE CLIMATE SURVEYS OF
    EMPLOYING OFFICES.

    (a) Requiring Surveys.--Title III (2 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.) is amended
    by adding at the end the following new section:
    ``SEC. 307. WORKPLACE CLIMATE SURVEYS OF EMPLOYING OFFICES.

    ``(a) <>  Requirement to Conduct Secure Surveys.--
    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section,
    and every 2 years thereafter, the Office shall conduct a secure survey
    of employing offices under this Act regarding the workplace environment
    of such offices. Employee responses to the survey shall be voluntary.

    ``(b) Special Inclusion of Information on Sexual Harassment.--In
    each survey conducted under this section, the Office shall survey
    respondents on attitudes regarding sexual harassment.
    ``(c) Methodology.--
    ``(1) In general.--The Office shall conduct each survey
    under this section in accordance with methodologies established
    by the Office.
    ``(2) Confidentiality.--Under the methodologies established
    under paragraph (1), all responses to all portions of the survey
    shall be anonymous and confidential, and each respondent shall
    be told throughout the survey that all responses shall be
    anonymous and confidential.
    ``(3) Survey form.--The Office shall limit the use of any
    information code or information on the survey form that makes a
    respondent to the survey, or the respondent's employing office,
    individually identifiable.

    ``(d) Use of Results of Surveys.--The Office shall furnish the
    information obtained from the surveys conducted under this section to
    the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives
    and the Committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and
    Rules and Administration of the Senate.
    ``(e) Consultation With Committees.--The Office shall carry out this
    section, including establishment of methodologies and procedures under
    subsection (c), in consultation with the Committee on House
    Administration of the House of Representatives and the Committees on
    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Rules and Administration
    of the Senate.''.

    [[Page 5318]]

    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents is amended by adding
    at the end of the items relating to title III the following new item:

    ``Sec. 307. Workplace climate surveys of employing offices.''.

    SEC. 203. RECORD RETENTION.

    Section 301 (2 U.S.C. 1381), as amended by section 201(a), is
    further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(m) Record Retention.--The Office shall establish and maintain a
    program for the permanent retention of its records, including the
    records of preliminary reviews, mediations, hearings, and other
    proceedings conducted under title IV.''.
    SEC. 204. CONFIDENTIAL ADVISORS.

    Section 302 (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 Advisors.--
    ``(1) In general.--The Executive Director shall--
    ``(A) <>  appoint, and fix the
    compensation of, and may remove, 1 or more confidential
    advisors to carry out the duties described in this
    subsection; or
    ``(B) <>  designate 1 or more
    employees of the Office to serve as a confidential
    advisor.
    ``(2) Duties.--
    ``(A) Voluntary services.--A confidential advisor
    appointed or designated under paragraph (1) shall offer
    to provide to covered employees described in paragraph
    (4) 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, on a privileged and
    confidential basis, a covered employee who has
    been subject to a practice that may be a violation
    of part A of title II about the employee's rights
    under this Act;
    ``(ii) consulting, on a privileged and
    confidential basis, with a covered employee who
    has been subject to a practice that may be a
    violation of part A of title II regarding--
    ``(I) the roles, responsibilities,
    and authority of the Office; and
    ``(II) the relative merits of
    securing private counsel, designating a
    non-attorney representative, or
    proceeding without representation for
    proceedings before the Office;
    ``(iii) advising and consulting with, on a
    privileged and confidential basis, a covered
    employee who has been subject to a practice that
    may be a violation of part A of title II regarding
    any claims the covered employee may have under
    title IV, the factual allegations that support
    each such claim, and the relative merits of the
    procedural options available to the employee for
    each such claim;

    [[Page 5319]]

    ``(iv) assisting, on a privileged and
    confidential basis, a covered employee who seeks
    consideration under title IV of an allegation of a
    violation of part A of title II in understanding
    the procedures, and the significance of the
    procedures, described in title IV, including--
    ``(I) assisting or consulting with
    the covered employee regarding the
    drafting of a claim to be filed under
    section 402(a); and
    ``(II) consulting with the covered
    employee regarding the procedural
    options available to the covered
    employee after a claim is filed, and the
    relative merits of each option; and
    ``(v) informing, on a privileged and
    confidential basis, a covered employee who has
    been subject to a practice that may be a violation
    of part A of title II about the option of
    pursuing, in appropriate circumstances, a
    complaint with the Committee on Ethics of the
    House of Representatives or the Select Committee
    on Ethics of the Senate.
    ``(C) Continuity of service.--Once a covered
    employee has accepted and received any services offered
    under this section from a confidential advisor appointed
    or designated under paragraph (1), any other services
    requested under this subsection by the covered employee
    shall be provided, to the extent practicable, by the
    same confidential advisor.
    ``(3) Qualifications.--A confidential advisor appointed or
    designated under paragraph (1) shall be a lawyer who--
    ``(A) is admitted to practice before, and is in good
    standing with, the bar of a State of the United States,
    the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United
    States; and
    ``(B) has experience representing clients in cases
    involving the workplace laws incorporated by part A of
    title II.
    ``(4) Individuals covered.--The services described in
    paragraph (2) are available to any covered employee (which, for
    purposes of this subsection, shall include any staff member
    described in section 201(d) and any former covered employee
    (including any such former staff member)), except that--
    ``(A) a former covered employee may only request
    such services if the practice that may be a violation of
    part A of title II occurred during the employment or
    service of the employee; and
    ``(B) <>  a covered employee
    described in this paragraph may only request such
    services before the expiration of the 180-day period
    described in section 402(d).
    ``(5) Restrictions.--A confidential advisor appointed or
    designated under paragraph (1)--
    ``(A) shall not act as the designated representative
    for any covered employee in connection with the covered
    employee's participation in any proceeding, including
    any proceeding under this Act, any judicial proceeding,
    or any proceeding before any committee of Congress;
    ``(B) shall not offer or provide services described
    in paragraph (2)(B) to a covered employee if the covered

    [[Page 5320]]

    employee has designated an attorney representative in
    connection with the covered employee's participation in
    any proceeding under this Act, except that a
    confidential advisor may provide general assistance and
    information to such attorney representative regarding
    this Act and the role of the Office as the confidential
    advisor determines appropriate; and
    ``(C) shall not serve as a mediator in any mediation
    conducted pursuant to section 404.''.
    SEC. 205. GAO STUDY OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
    conduct a study of the management practices of the Office of
    Congressional Workplace Rights.
    (b) <>  Report to Congress.--Not later
    than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
    Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a
    report on the study conducted under subsection (a), and shall include in
    the report such recommendations as the Comptroller General considers
    appropriate for improvements to the management practices of the Office
    of Congressional Workplace Rights.
    SEC. 206. GAO AUDIT OF CYBERSECURITY.

    (a) Audit.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
    conduct an audit of the cybersecurity systems and practices of the
    Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.
    (b) <>  Report to Congress.--Not later
    than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
    Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a
    report on the audit conducted under subsection (a), and shall include in
    the report such recommendations as the Comptroller General considers
    appropriate for improvements to the cybersecurity systems and practices
    of the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.

    TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS REFORMS

    SEC. 301. APPLICATION OF GENETIC INFORMATION NONDISCRIMINATION ACT
    OF 2008.

    Section 102 (2 U.S.C. 1302) is amended by adding at the end the
    following:
    ``(c) Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008.--
    ``(1) In general.--The provisions of this Act that apply to
    a violation of section 201(a)(1) shall be considered to apply to
    a violation of title II of the Genetic Information
    Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 2000ff et seq.),
    consistent with section 207(c) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 2000ff-
    6(c)).
    ``(2) Construction.--
    ``(A) No limitation on other laws.--Nothing in this
    section limits the provisions of this Act that apply to
    a violation of a law described in subparagraph (B).
    ``(B) Other laws.--A law described in this
    subparagraph is a law (even if not listed in subsection
    (a) or this subsection) that explicitly applies one or
    more provisions of this Act to a violation.''.

    [[Page 5321]]

    SEC. 302. EXTENSION TO UNPAID STAFF OF RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS
    AGAINST EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION.

    (a) Extension.--Section 201 (2 U.S.C. 1311) is amended--
    (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
    (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new
    subsection:

    ``(d) Application to Unpaid Staff.--
    ``(1) In general.--Subsections (a) and (b) shall apply with
    respect to--
    ``(A) any staff member of an employing office who
    carries out official duties of the employing office but
    who is not paid by the employing office for carrying out
    such duties (referred to in this subsection as an
    `unpaid staff member'), including an intern, an
    individual detailed to an employing office, and an
    individual participating in a fellowship program, in the
    same manner and to the same extent as such subsections
    apply with respect to a covered employee; and
    ``(B) a former unpaid staff member, if the act that
    may be a violation of subsection (a) occurred during the
    service of the former unpaid staffer for the employing
    office.
    ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1) may be
    construed to extend liability for a violation of subsection (a)
    to an employing office on the basis of an action taken by any
    person who is not under the supervision or control of the
    employing office.
    ``(3) Intern defined.--For purposes of this subsection, the
    term `intern' means an individual who performs service for an
    employing office which is uncompensated by the United States to
    earn credit awarded by an educational institution or to learn a
    trade or occupation, and includes any individual participating
    in a page program operated by any House of Congress.''.

    (b) Technical Correction Relating to Office Responsible for
    Disbursement of Pay to House Employees.--Section 101(7) (2 U.S.C.
    1301(7)) is amended by striking ``disbursed by the Clerk of the House of
    Representatives'' and inserting ``disbursed by the Chief Administrative
    Officer of the House of Representatives''.
    SEC. 303. CLARIFICATION OF TREATMENT OF LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
    VISITORS.

    (a) Clarification.--Section 210 (2 U.S.C. 1331) is amended--
    (1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
    (2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:

    ``(h) Election of Remedies Relating to Rights to Public Services and
    Accommodations for Library Visitors.--
    ``(1) Definition of library visitor.--In this subsection,
    the term `Library visitor' means an individual who is eligible
    to bring a claim for a violation under title II or III of the
    Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (other than a violation
    for which the exclusive remedy is under section 201) against the
    Library of Congress.
    ``(2) Election of remedies.--
    ``(A) In general.--A Library visitor who alleges a
    violation of subsection (b) by the Library of Congress
    may, subject to subparagraph (B)--

    [[Page 5322]]

    ``(i) file a charge against the Library of
    Congress under subsection (d); or
    ``(ii) use the remedies and procedures set
    forth in section 717 of the Civil Rights Act of
    1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-16), as provided under
    section 510 (other than paragraph (5)) of the
    Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
    12209).
    ``(B) Timing.--A Library visitor that has initiated
    proceedings under clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A)
    may elect to change and initiate a proceeding under the
    other clause--
    ``(i) in the case of a Library visitor who
    first filed a charge pursuant to subparagraph
    (A)(i), before the General Counsel files a
    complaint under subsection (d)(3); or
    ``(ii) in the case of a Library visitor who
    first initiated a proceeding under subparagraph
    (A)(ii), before the Library visitor requests a
    hearing under the procedures of the Library of
    Congress described in such subparagraph.''.

    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 210(d)(2) (2 U.S.C. 1331(d)(2))
    is amended by striking ``section 403'' and inserting ``section 404''.
    (c) <>  Effective Date and Applicability.--
    The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if such
    amendments were included in the enactment of section 153 of the
    Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-141), and
    shall apply as specified in section 153(c) of such Act.
    SEC. 304. NOTICES.

    (a) Requiring Employing Offices to Post Notices.--Part E of title II
    (2 U.S.C. 1361) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``SEC. 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 violations described in subsection (b); and
    ``(2) includes contact information for the Office.

    ``(b) Violations.--A violation described in this subsection is--
    ``(1) discrimination prohibited by section 201(a)
    (including, in accordance with section 102(c), discrimination
    prohibited by title II of the Genetic Information
    Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 2000ff et seq.)) or
    206(a); and
    ``(2) a violation of section 207 that is related to
    discrimination described in paragraph (1).''.

    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents is amended by adding
    at the end of the items relating to part E of title II the following new
    item:

    ``Sec. 226. Notices.''.

    [[Page 5323]]

    SEC. 305. CLARIFICATION OF COVERAGE OF EMPLOYEES OF HELSINKI AND
    CHINA COMMISSIONS.

    (a) Clarification of Coverage.--Section 101 (2 U.S.C. 1301), as
    amended by section 302(b), is further amended--
    (1) by striking ``Except as otherwise'' and inserting ``(a)
    In General.--Except as otherwise''; and
    (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

    ``(b) Clarification of Coverage of Employees of Certain
    Commissions.--
    ``(1) Coverage.--With respect to the China Review
    Commission, the Congressional-Executive China Commission, and
    the Helsinki Commission--
    ``(A) any individual who is an employee of such
    Commission shall be considered a covered employee for
    purposes of this Act; and
    ``(B) the Commission shall be considered an
    employing office for purposes of this Act.
    ``(2) Authority to provide legal assistance and
    representation.--Subject to paragraph (3), legal assistance and
    representation under this Act, including assistance and
    representation with respect to the proposal or acceptance of the
    disposition of a claim under this Act, shall be provided to the
    China Review Commission, the Congressional-Executive China
    Commission, and the Helsinki Commission--
    ``(A) by the Office of House Employment Counsel of
    the House of Representatives, in the case of assistance
    and representation in connection with a claim filed
    under title IV (including all subsequent proceedings
    under such title in connection with the claim) at a time
    when the chair of the Commission is a Member of the
    House, and in the case of assistance and representation
    in connection with any subsequent claim under title IV
    related to the initial claim where the subsequent claim
    involves the same parties; or
    ``(B) by the Office of Senate Chief Counsel for
    Employment of the Senate, in the case of assistance and
    representation in connection with a claim filed under
    title IV (including all subsequent proceedings under
    such title in connection with the claim) at a time when
    the chair of the Commission is a Senator, and in the
    case of assistance and representation in connection with
    any subsequent claim under title IV related to the
    initial claim where the subsequent claim involves the
    same parties.
    ``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection--
    ``(A) the term `China Review Commission' means the
    United States-China Economic and Security Review
    Commission established under section 1238 of the Floyd
    D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
    Year 2001 (22 U.S.C. 7002), as enacted into law by
    section 1 of Public Law 106-398;
    ``(B) the term `Congressional-Executive China
    Commission' means the Congressional-Executive Commission
    on the People's Republic of China established under
    title III of the U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000
    (Public Law 106-286; 22 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.); and

    [[Page 5324]]

    ``(C) the term `Helsinki Commission' means the
    Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
    established under the Act entitled `An Act to establish
    a Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe',
    approved June 3, 1976 (Public Law 94-304; 22 U.S.C. 3001
    et seq.).''.

    (b) Coverage of Stennis Center.--
    (1) Treatment of employees as covered employees.--Section
    101(a)(3) (2 U.S.C. 1301(a)(3)) is amended--
    (A) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph
    (I);
    (B) by striking the period at the end of
    subparagraph (J) and inserting ``; or''; and
    (C) by adding at the end the following new
    subparagraph:
    ``(K) the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service
    Training and Development.''.
    (2) Treatment of center as employing office.--Section
    101(a)(9)(D) (2 U.S.C. 1301(a)(9)(D)) is amended by striking
    ``and the Office of Technology Assessment'' and inserting the
    following: ``the Office of Technology Assessment, and the John
    C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development''.

    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Paragraphs (7) and (8) of section 101(a)
    (2 U.S.C. 1301(a)) are each amended by striking ``subparagraphs (C)
    through (I)'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (C) through (K)''.
    (d) <>  Effective Date.--The amendments made
    by this section shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the
    Congressional Accountability Act of 1995.
    SEC. 306. <>  TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
    OF OTHER EMPLOYING OFFICES.

    (a) Requiring Offices to Develop and Implement Programs.--Title V (2
    U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) is amended--
    (1) by redesignating section 509 as section 510; and
    (2) by inserting after section 508 the following new
    section:
    ``SEC. 509. <>  TRAINING AND EDUCATION
    PROGRAMS OF EMPLOYING OFFICES.

    ``(a) Requiring Offices to Develop and Implement Programs.--Each
    employing office shall develop and implement a program to train and
    educate covered employees of the office in the rights and protections
    provided under this Act, including the procedures available under title
    IV to consider alleged violations of this Act.
    ``(b) Report to Committees.--
    ``(1) <>  In general.--Not later than
    45 days after the beginning of each Congress (beginning with the
    One Hundred Seventeenth Congress), each employing office shall
    submit a report to the Committee on House Administration of the
    House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and
    Administration of the Senate on the implementation of the
    program required under subsection (a).
    ``(2) Special rule for first report.--Not later than 180
    days after the date of the enactment of the Congressional
    Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act, each employing office
    shall submit the report described in paragraph (1) to the
    Committees described in such paragraph.

    [[Page 5325]]

    ``(c) Exception for Offices of Congress.--This section does not
    apply to an employing office of the House of Representatives or an
    employing office of the Senate.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents is amended--
    (1) by redesignating the item relating to section 509 as
    relating to section 510; and
    (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 508 the
    following new item:

    ``Sec. 509. Training and education programs of employing offices.''.

    SEC. 307. SUPPORT FOR OUT-OF-AREA COVERED EMPLOYEES.

    (a) In General.--Title V (2 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), as amended by
    section 306(a), <>  is further amended--
    (1) by redesignating section 510 as section 511; and
    (2) by inserting after section 509, as inserted by section
    306(a), the following:
    ``SEC. 510. <>  SUPPORT FOR OUT-OF-AREA
    COVERED EMPLOYEES.

    ``(a) In General.--All covered employees whose location of
    employment is outside of the Washington, DC area (referred to in this
    section as `out-of-area covered employees') shall have equitable access
    to the resources and services provided by the Office and under this Act
    as is provided to covered employees who work in the Washington, DC area.
    ``(b) Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.--The Office shall--
    ``(1) establish a method by which out-of-area covered
    employees may communicate securely with the Office, which shall
    include an option for real-time audiovisual communication; and
    ``(2) <>  provide guidance to employing
    offices regarding how each office can facilitate equitable
    access to the resources and services provided under this Act for
    its out-of-area covered employees, including information
    regarding the communication methods described in paragraph (1).

    ``(c) Employing Offices.--It is the sense of Congress that each
    employing office with out-of-area covered employees should use its best
    efforts to facilitate equitable access to the resources and services
    provided under this Act for those employees.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents, as amended by
    section 306(b), <>  is amended--
    (1) by redesignating the item relating to section 510 as
    relating to section 511; and
    (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 509, as
    inserted by section 306(b), the following new item:

    ``Sec. 510. Support for out-of-area covered employees.''.

    SEC. 308. RENAMING OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE AS OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL
    WORKPLACE RIGHTS.

    (a) Renaming.--Section 301 (2 U.S.C. 1381) is amended--
    (1) in the section heading, by striking ``office of
    compliance'' and inserting ``office of congressional workplace
    rights''; and
    (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``Office of Compliance''
    and inserting ``Office of Congressional Workplace Rights''.

    [[Page 5326]]

    (b) Conforming Amendments to Congressional Accountability Act of
    1995.--The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, as amended by
    section 305(a), is further amended as follows:
    (1) In section 101(a)(1) (2 U.S.C. 1301(a)(1)), by striking
    ``Office of Compliance'' and inserting ``Office of Congressional
    Workplace Rights''.
    (2) In section 101(a)(2) (2 U.S.C. 1301(a)(2)), by striking
    ``Office of Compliance'' and inserting ``Office of Congressional
    Workplace Rights''.
    (3) In section 101(a)(3)(H) (2 U.S.C. 1301(a)(3)(H)), by
    striking ``Office of Compliance'' and inserting ``Office of
    Congressional Workplace Rights''.
    (4) In section 101(a)(9)(D) (2 U.S.C. 1301(a)(9)(D)), by
    striking ``Office of Compliance'' and inserting ``Office of
    Congressional Workplace Rights''.
    (5) In section 101(a)(10) (2 U.S.C. 1301(a)(10)), by
    striking ``Office of Compliance'' and inserting ``Office of
    Congressional Workplace Rights''.
    (6) In section 101(a)(11) (2 U.S.C. 1301(a)(11)), by
    striking ``Office of Compliance'' and inserting ``Office of
    Congressional Workplace Rights''.
    (7) In section 101(a)(12) (2 U.S.C. 1301(a)(12)), by
    striking ``Office of Compliance'' and inserting ``Office of
    Congressional Workplace Rights''.
    (8) In section 210(a)(9) (2 U.S.C. 1331(a)(9)), by striking
    ``Office of Compliance'' and inserting ``Office of Congressional
    Workplace Rights''.
    (9) In section 215(e)(1) (2 U.S.C. 1341(e)(1)), by striking
    ``Office of Compliance'' and inserting ``Office of Congressional
    Workplace Rights''.
    (10) In section 220(e)(2)(G) (2 U.S.C. 1351(e)(2)(G)), by
    striking ``Office of Compliance'' and inserting ``Office of
    Congressional Workplace Rights''.
    (11) In the title heading of title III, by striking ``OFFICE
    OF COMPLIANCE'' and inserting ``OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL
    WORKPLACE RIGHTS''.
    (12) In section 304(c)(4) (2 U.S.C. 1384(c)(4)), by striking
    ``Office of Compliance'' and inserting ``Office of Congressional
    Workplace Rights''.
    (13) In section 304(c)(5) (2 U.S.C. 1384(c)(5)), by striking
    ``Office of Compliance'' and inserting ``Office of Congressional
    Workplace Rights''.

    (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents is amended--
    (1) by amending the item relating to the heading of title
    III to read as follows:

    ``TITLE III--OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL WORKPLACE RIGHTS''; and

    (2) by amending the item relating to section 301 to read as
    follows:

    ``Sec. 301. Establishment of Office of Congressional Workplace
    Rights.''.

    (d) <>  Effective Date; References in Other
    Laws, Rules, and Regulations.--The amendments made by this section shall
    take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. Any reference to
    the Office of Compliance in any law, rule, regulation, or other

    [[Page 5327]]

    official paper in effect as of such date shall be considered to refer
    and apply to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.

    TITLE IV--EFFECTIVE DATE

    SEC. 401. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) <>  In General.--Except as otherwise
    provided in this Act, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall
    take effect upon the expiration of the 180-day period which begins on
    the date of the enactment of this Act.

    (b) <>  No Effect on Pending Proceedings.--
    Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act may be construed
    to affect any proceeding or payment of an award or settlement relating
    to a claim under title IV of the Congressional Accountability Act of
    1995 (2 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) which is pending as of the date after that
    180-day period. If, as of that date, an employee has begun any of the
    proceedings under that title that were available to the employee prior
    to that date, the employee may complete, or initiate and complete, all
    such proceedings, and such proceedings shall remain in effect with
    respect to, and provide the exclusive proceedings for, the claim
    involved until the completion of all such proceedings.

    Approved December 21, 2018.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 3749:
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 164 (2018):
    Dec. 13, considered and passed Senate and House.