Chaffetz bills to reform employee misconduct included in NDAA

Two bills sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) were included in the Congress-approved fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The Administrative Leave Reform Act, or H.R. 4359, and the official Personnel File Enhancement Act, or H.R. 4360, would address how misconduct is handled among federal employees.

“I am pleased to see these commonsense solutions strengthening the integrity of our civil service on their way to becoming law,” Chaffetz, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said.

“The vast majority of federal workers are honest, hardworking Americans who proudly serve their country. But, as in most large groups, there are some bad apples. Together, these bills will help curb costly and unfair abuses taken by misbehaving employees,” he said.

H.R. 4359 would limit the length of administrative leave in situations involving misconduct or performance to 10 days per calendar year. Agencies would be prohibited from leaving employees on administrative leave indefinitely after investigations are complete.

The bill would also authorize the use of investigative leave in extraordinary circumstances in 30-day increments, with any leave exceeding 90 days requiring a report to Congress.

H.R. 4360, meanwhile, would require agencies to record any adverse finding from a resolved investigation in a separated employee’s official personnel file.

The NDAA was approved by the House and Senate and will now be sent to President Barack Obama to sign into law.