House Passes Chaffetz Sponsored Administrative Leave Reform Bill - United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

Bill caps administrative leave for federal employees under investigation for misconduct

WASHINGTON, D.C.—This evening, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation which limits paid time off for employees under investigation for misconduct to 14 days. H.R. 4359, the Administrative Leave Reform Act, sponsored by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), passed the House with bipartisan support under suspension of the rules.

“H.R. 4359 is a commonsense solution to address the misuse of administrative leave for misconduct or performance issues. …

“And while on administrative leave, these employees receive full pay and benefit despite the fact that they’re not working. … Every year, hundreds, if not thousands, of federal employees are under investigation for significant misconduct, and remain on administrative leave for far longer than is necessary to complete an investigation. …

“[T]he American people deserve better…”

In addition to H.R. 4359, three additional Oversight bills passed the House. See below for a brief summary of all bills passed under suspension of the rules:

H.R. 4359, the Administrative Leave Reform Act (Rep. Chaffetz, R-UT);

Caps the use of administrative leave for cases of misconduct or performance at 14 days per calendar year and allows agencies to extend the use of administrative leave in extraordinary circumstances in 30 day increments. For any extensions after 44 days, a detailed report must be submitted to Congress every 30 days. Further, the bill prohibits agencies from leaving individuals on administrative leave indefinitely after all investigations are complete.

H.R. 4360, the Official Personnel File Enhancement Act (Rep. Chaffetz, R-UT);

Provides that an agency must record any adverse findings from a resolved investigation in a separated employee’s official personnel file.

Additionally, the House passed H.R. 2615, the Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission Act (Rep. Plaskett, D-VI) and H.R. 2908, the National Bison Legacy Act (Rep. Clay, D-MO).