[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6104 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6104
To promote Federal internships and fellowships to prepare the next
generation of Federal employees, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 1, 2021
Mr. Connolly introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Oversight and Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote Federal internships and fellowships to prepare the next
generation of Federal employees, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Building the Next
Generation of Federal Employees Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Federal internship and fellowship center.
Sec. 4. Internship coordinator.
Sec. 5. Online Federal Government internship platform.
Sec. 6. Underserved markets and demographics recruitment pilot program.
Sec. 7. Compensation for Federal interns.
Sec. 8. Establishment of pathways program.
Sec. 9. Enhanced hiring for recent college graduates and post-secondary
students.
Sec. 10. Information on use of expedited hiring authority for college
graduates.
Sec. 11. Competitive service examination credit.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Civil service.--The term ``civil service'' has the
meaning given such term in section 2101 of title 5, United
States Code.
(2) Executive agency.--The term ``Executive agency'' has
the meaning given that term in section 105 of title 5, United
States Code.
(3) Fellowship.--The term ``fellowship'' means a short-term
position (other than a post-fellowship service requirement)
that--
(A) is not less than one year and not more than two
year in length, or such other period as determined
appropriate by the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management for the purposes of this paragraph; and
(B) is intended to provide the recipient with work
experience with an Executive agency that is designed to
prepare such recipient for potential permanent
employment with an Executive agency.
(4) Fellow.--The term ``fellow'' means an individual who
receives a fellowship.
(5) Fellowship program.--The term ``fellowship program''
means any sponsoring agency program or operation that recruits
fellows and administers fellowships in the Federal Government.
(6) Intern.--The term ``intern'' means an individual
serving in an internship. Interns employed by third-party
internship providers and placed in Executive agencies may, to
the extent permitted by law or regulation, be treated as
participants in any federally sponsored internship programs.
(7) Internship.--The term ``internship'' means a short-term
position (other than a post-fellowship service requirement) for
an individual enrolled in a high school, trade school,
technical or vocational institute, junior college, college,
university, or comparable recognized educational institution,
or the Job Corps program, that is not less than one year and
not more than two years in length (or such other period as
determined appropriate by the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management for the purposes of this paragraph),
designed to prepare such individual for potential permanent
employment with an Executive agency, and offered under an
internship program. Interns at Executive agencies who are
supported or administered by third-party internship providers
may, to the extent permitted by law and regulations, be treated
as participants in any federally sponsored internship program.
(8) Internship program.--The term ``internship program''
has the meaning given that term in section 3111a(c)(1) of title
5, United States Code.
(9) Job corps program.--The term ``Job Corps'' means the
Job Corps program authorized under section 143 of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3193 et seq.).
(10) Mission-critical skill.--The term ``mission-critical
skill'' means a skill or set of skills that are critical to
effectively carrying out the mission of an Executive agency, as
determined by the head of such Executive agency in consultation
with the Comptroller General of the United States.
(11) Mission-critical skill gap.--The term ``mission-
critical skill gap'' means a shortage of mission-critical
skills causing, or that poses a risk of causing, a substantial
detrimental effect on the ability of an Executive agency to
effectively carry out the mission of such Executive agency in a
manner that is cost effective, as determined by the head of
such Executive agency in consultation with the Comptroller
General of the United States.
(12) Scholarship.--The term ``scholarship'' means financial
support--
(A) paid by an Executive agency towards--
(i) the cost of an individual to attend
either a course of study leading to a
credential that help reduce or eliminate a
mission-critical skill gap or another program
that requires the student to demonstrate an
interest in or agreement to pursue a career in
public service at an institution of higher
education that is authorized to participate in
a Federal student aid program under title IV of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1070 et seq.); or
(ii) financial support paid by a Executive
agency towards the cost of an individual to
procure private instruction in a mission-
critical skill; and
(B) which may be paid directly to--
(i) the individual whose costs the
scholarship is intended to pay; or
(ii) the institutions of higher education
in which such individual is enrolled.
(13) Sponsoring agency.--The term ``sponsoring agency''
means any entity of the executive branch of the United States
Government, including any Executive agency, any component of
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and any other agency (as
defined in section 551 of title 5, United States Code), that
administers a fellowship or scholarship, or internship program.
SEC. 3. FEDERAL INTERNSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP CENTER.
(a) Establishment of Federal Internship and Fellowship Center.--The
Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall establish and
maintain a Federal Fellowship and Scholarship Center to administer,
manage, and promote all Government fellowship and internship programs
within the executive branch to attract individuals to serve in the
Federal Government in a civilian capacity and to facilitate the
potential entry of those individuals into the civil service.
(b) Management of Federal Internship and Fellowship Center.--
(1) Chief human capital officers council guidance.--The
Chief Human Capital Officers Council shall provide strategic
guidance to, and facilitate interagency cooperation with, the
head of the Federal Internship and Fellowship Center to help
such head more effectively--
(A) identify and attract interns to the civil
service; and
(B) recruit and hire interns who successfully
complete internships into the civil service.
(2) Regulations.--The Director shall issue such regulations
as may be necessary to implement and manage the Federal
Internship and Fellowship Center, including the regulations
described in section 11(d).
(c) Functions of the Federal Internship and Fellowship Center.--The
head of the Federal Internship and Fellowship Center shall do the
following:
(1) Establish, maintain, and operate an internet-based
platform as part of the Platform established under section 5,
that is accessible to the public and contains information
regarding every internship and fellowship described in section
11(a), and every scholarship opportunity, available in the
executive branch of the Federal Government, including
information on how individuals may apply for each such
opportunity.
(2) Promote, and facilitate internship, fellowship, and
scholarship programs at the request of any sponsoring agency to
meet workforce requirements of such sponsoring agency,
especially in mission-critical skill areas.
(3) Develop a standard application for Federal internships
and fellowships for use by applicants and sponsoring agencies
as part of the Platform established under section 5, which may
be supplemented by additional requirements of each sponsoring
agency.
(4) Ensure eligibility for an appointment under subsection
(d) to a position in the civil service for all individuals
who--
(A)(i) successfully complete at least one year of
an internship or fellowship that is part of an
internship or fellowship program that is certified
under subsection (f); or
(ii) are the recipients of scholarships; and
(B)(i) have obtained a qualifying degree or
completed a qualifying career or technical education
program, as determined by the Director; or
(ii) are graduates (as defined in section 142 of
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3192)).
(5) Develop a standard post-fellowship or post-internship
exit interview for use by sponsoring agencies to solicit
feedback and input from fellows and interns about their
experiences while performing Federal service.
(6) Develop and promote best practices guidance for
agencies on building effective internship and fellowship
programs.
(7) Take such actions as the Director determines necessary
to help Federal agencies identify and recruit fellows and
interns who could serve as the next generation of Federal
public servants.
(d) Limited Noncompetitive Eligibility.--Under such regulations as
the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe, a
sponsoring agency may make a noncompetitive appointment leading to
conversion to career or career-conditional employment of each
individual described in subsection (c)(4).
(e) Sponsoring Agency Reporting.--
(1) Office of personnel management.--
(A) In general.--The head of each sponsoring agency
shall submit to the Director a report on the internship
and fellowship programs of, and scholarship programs
offered by, the sponsoring agency at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Director
determines appropriate.
(B) Regulations.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall
issue regulations for the reports required by
subparagraph (A).
(2) Federal internship and fellowship center.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and not less than
every two years thereafter, the head of each sponsoring
agency shall submit to the head of the Federal
Internship and Fellowship Center the plan of the
sponsoring agency--
(i) regarding intern and fellow training
and engagement; and
(ii) for ensuring that interns and fellows
who complete an internship or fellowship,
respectively, of the sponsoring agency qualify
for the competitive service examination credit
under section 11.
(B) Plan approval.--
(i) In general.--The head of the Federal
Internship and Fellowship Center shall approve
or disapprove each plan submitted under
subparagraph (A).
(ii) Disapproval notice and support.--If
the head of the Federal Internship and
Fellowship Center disapproves of a plan
submitted under subparagraph (A), the head
shall--
(I) provide notice of the
disapproval and an explanation why the
plan was disapproved to the head of the
sponsoring agency that submitted the
plan; and
(II) provide technical assistance
to such sponsoring agency to resolve
the deficiencies of such plan and
resubmit it for approval.
(C) Competitive service examination credit.--
(i) In general.--If a sponsoring agency
fails to submit a plan required under
subparagraph (A) or that submits a plan that is
disapproved under subparagraph (B), the interns
and fellows participating in an internship or
fellowship of such sponsoring agency shall be
ineligible for competitive service examination
credit under section 11 until the date on which
such sponsoring agency submits a plan described
in subparagraph (A) and the head of the Federal
Internship and Fellowship Center approves such
plan.
(ii) Exception.--Clause (i) does not apply
with respect to a sponsoring agency that
submits a plan that is disapprove under
subparagraph (B) if, during the two-year period
immediately preceding such disapproval, such
sponsoring agency submitted a plan that was
approved under subparagraph (B).
(f) Internship Provider Certification.--
(1) In general.--The head of the Federal Internship and
Fellowship Center shall certify each internship or fellowship
program of each sponsoring agency or third-party internship
provider that the head determines--
(A) demonstrates a track record of recruiting
diverse intern and fellow talent pools, as applicable,
for at least the previous three years;
(B) possesses a meaningful training and development
program for interns and fellows, as applicable;
(C) uses a non-partisan, merit-based selection
process;
(D) provides career counseling services to interns
and fellows, as applicable;
(E) in the case of a sponsoring agency, provides to
the Office of Personnel Management the plans of such
sponsoring agency described subsection (e)(2); and
(F) any other standards that the head of the
Federal Internship and Fellowship Center determines
appropriate.
(2) Third-party provider additional requirements.--To
ensure the advancement of merit systems principles and
efficient administration of internship and fellowship programs,
the head of the Federal Internship and Fellowship Center may
impose additional requirements on a third-party internship
provider before certifying the internships or fellowships
programs of such third-party internship provider under
paragraph (1).
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Career appointee.--The term ``career appointee'' has
the meaning given such term in section 3132(a) of title 5,
United States Code.
(2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management.
SEC. 4. INTERNSHIP COORDINATOR.
(a) Internship Coordinator.--Each internship coordinator appointed
under section 3111a of title 5, United States Code, shall--
(1) serve as the main point of contact at the sponsoring
agency on all issues related to fellowships, scholarships, and
internships;
(2) establish a mentor program for interns and fellows at
the agency that incorporates best practices as determined by
the Federal Internship and Fellowship Center pursuant to
section 2(c); and
(3) generate and submit, in accordance with subsection
(c)(1), an annual report for the one-year period ending on
September 1 of the year in which such report is submitted
including--
(A) the number of interns and fellows who served at
the sponsoring agency;
(B) a list of third-party organizations that
supplied internships or fellowships to the sponsoring
agency;
(C) information regarding the demographic
characteristics of interns and fellows at such agency,
including, but not limited to educational background,
age, race, gender, and ethnicity, except that no intern
or fellow may be required to provide such demographic
characteristics for the purposes of such report;
(D) a description of the steps taken by the
sponsoring agency to prepare and recruit successful
interns and fellows for positions in the civil service;
(E) a description of any barriers to hiring interns
or fellows who successfully complete their internships
or fellowships, respectively;
(F) a description of activities engaged in the
sponsoring agency to recruit new interns and fellows,
including descriptions of locations visited, methods
used, and schools and stakeholder organizations
engaged;
(G) a list of the position descriptions for the
internships and fellowships offered at each sponsoring
agency;
(H) a description of the mentorship programs of
such internship and fellowship programs;
(I) a summary of exit interviews conducted and
surveys administered by a sponsoring agency with
respect to interns and fellows upon their completion of
an internship or fellowship program at such agency; and
(J) other information as determined necessary by
the internship coordinator.
(b) In General.--The head of each sponsoring agency shall submit,
in accordance with subsection (c)(1), an annual report for the one-year
period ending on October 1 of the year in which such report is
submitted assessing each fellowship and internship program of such
sponsoring agency in which fellows or interns, respectively,
participated during the reporting period.
(c) Submission.--
(1) Report to opm.--Each report required under subsection
(a) or (b) shall be submitted to the Office of Personnel
Management between October 1 and October 31 of each year.
(2) Congressional report.--Not later than December 30 of
each year, the Office of Personnel Management shall submit to
Congress a report summarizing the information submitted to the
Office of Personnel Management in accordance with paragraph (1)
for such year.
(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed as overriding or otherwise permitting any action not
permitted under section 552a of title 5, United States Code.
SEC. 5. ONLINE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERNSHIP PLATFORM.
(a) Establishment of an Online Federal Government Internship
Platform.--The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall
establish, maintain, and promote an interactive and integrated
internet-based platform (in this section referred to as the
``Platform'') to serve as a centralized resource and database for the
public to learn about and connect with agencies and internship
opportunities in Federal public service and for agencies with
internship needs and opportunities to identify skill sets and
individuals with the skills necessary to address their needs.
(b) Use of the Service Platform.--
(1) Public accessibility.--The Director shall determine,
and make accessible to the public on the Platform, information
about Federal internship, fellowship, and scholarship service
organizations and opportunities, without any requirement that a
person seeking such access become a member of the Platform.
(2) Information on federal agency.--Each Executive agency
that hosts interns or fellows shall make available on the
Platform--
(A) information sufficient for the public to
identify and understand the internship and fellowship
opportunities and mission of the Executive agency;
(B) information on the availability of internship,
fellowship, and scholarship opportunities of the
Executive agency, including location and duration;
(C) internet links to the hiring and recruiting
websites of the Executive agency; and
(D) such additional information as the Director may
determine.
(c) Minimum Design Requirements.--In addition to the requirements
set forth in this section, the Platform shall do the following:
(1) Provide the public with access to information on
internship, fellowship, and scholarship opportunities that is
user-friendly, interactive, accessible, and fully functional
through mobile applications and other widely used
communications media, without a requirement that any person
seeking such access register as a member.
(2) Provide individuals with the ability to register as
members to customize their experience, including mechanisms to
connect members with agency internship coordinators and
internship, fellowship, and scholarship opportunities that
match the interests of the members, and ensure robust search
capabilities to facilitate the ability of members to explore
Federal internship, fellowship, and scholarship opportunities.
(3) Include mechanisms to enable agencies to connect with
members who have consented to be contacted and meet the needs
of sponsoring agencies.
(4) Incorporate, to the extent permitted by law and
regulation, the ability of members to securely upload
information on education, employment, and skills, knowledge,
and abilities, consistent with security requirements.
(5) Ensure compatibility, to the greatest extent possible,
with relevant information systems of Executive agencies.
(6) Retain all personal information in a manner that
protects the privacy of members in accordance with section 552a
of title 5, United States Code, and other applicable law,
provide access to information relating to a member only in
accordance with the consent of the member, and incorporate data
security and control policies that are adequate to ensure the
confidentiality and security of information provided and
maintained on the internet-based platform.
(d) Development of Service Platform Plan.--
(1) Implementation plan.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall develop a
detailed plan to implement the internet-based platform that
complies with all the requirements of this section.
(2) Consultation required.--In developing the plan under
this subsection, the Director shall consult with the head of
the United States Digital Service, the Chief Human Capital
Officers Council, and as needed, the heads of other Executive
agencies. Such consultation may include seeking assistance in
the design, development, and creation of the internet-based
platform.
(e) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 12 months after the date
of the enactment of this Act, and every 12 months thereafter, the
Director shall provide a report to Congress on the internet-based
platform. Such report shall include information on the following:
(1) Details on the status of implementation of the
internet-based platform and plans for further development of
it.
(2) Participation rates of sponsoring agencies and members.
(3) The number of individuals visiting the internet-based
platform, the number of agencies participating in the platform,
and the number of internship opportunities posted on the
internet-based platform in the preceding 12-month period.
(4) Any cybersecurity or privacy concerns associated with
the internet-based platform.
(5) The results of any surveys or studies undertaken to
increase the use and efficacy of the internet-based platform.
(6) Any additional information the Director considers
appropriate.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Office of Personnel Management for each fiscal year
such funds as may be necessary for the development, maintenance,
improvement, and promotion of the internet-service platform.
SEC. 6. UNDERSERVED MARKETS AND DEMOGRAPHICS RECRUITMENT PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Personnel Management
shall, in coordination with the components of Executive agencies and
sponsoring agencies responsible for recruiting individuals, carry out a
pilot program to engage individuals from demographic populations, such
as those defined by gender, geography, socioeconomic status, and
mission-critical skills (as determined by a head of a sponsoring
agency), that the Director determines are underrepresented in the
Federal workforce for possible participation in the civil service.
(b) Consultation.--In developing a pilot program under this
section, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall
consult with the head of the Federal Internship and Fellowship Center,
the Chief Human Capital Officers Council, and the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission to develop best practices for engaging
individuals described in subsection (a).
SEC. 7. COMPENSATION FOR FEDERAL INTERNS.
(a) In General.--Section 3111 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``volunteer'' and inserting
``student'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``Notwithstanding section
1342 of title 31, the'' and inserting ``The'';
and
(ii) by striking ``voluntary service'' and
inserting ``service from a student under this
section'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting before the semicolon the
following: ``, but only insofar as the
institution provides academic credit to the
student for the service''; and
(ii) by inserting ``and'' at the end;
(C) by striking paragraph (2); and
(D) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph
(2);
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``voluntary'' each place it
appears; and
(B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, section 717
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-16),''
after ``for injury)'';
(4) in subsection (e)(2)(A), by striking ``voluntary
service'' and inserting ``service''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(f) An agency may provide reimbursement for transportation and
subsistence expenses for any student who provides service under
subsection (b), pursuant to regulations issued by the Office of
Personnel Management.
``(g) A scholarship that is awarded by the agency to which a
student is providing services under subsection (b) and that is awarded
based at least in part on such services shall be deemed to be
compensation paid to such student for such services.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 31 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended in the item relating to section
3111 by striking ``volunteer'' and inserting ``student''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 3111a.--Section 3111a(c)(1)(A) of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``volunteer
service'' and inserting ``student service''.
(2) Section 7905.--Section 7905(a)(1) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``voluntary''.
(d) Current Students.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding the amendments made by
this Act and section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the
head of an Executive agency may accept voluntary services from
any student (as defined in section 3111(a) of title 5, United
States Code) who, immediately prior to the enactment of this
Act, provides such services to such Executive agency under a
program established under section 3111(b) of title 5, United
States Code, until the earliest date on which such student
ceases to participate in such program.
(2) Controlling law.--The acceptance of voluntary service
under this subsection shall be in accordance with the law as in
effect immediately prior to the date of the enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 8. ESTABLISHMENT OF PATHWAYS PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Competitive service.--The term ``competitive service''
has the meaning given that term in section 2102 of title 5,
United States Code.
(2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management.
(3) Excepted service.--The term ``excepted service'' has
the meaning given that term in section 2103 of title 5, United
States Code.
(b) Establishment.--The Director shall establish a program, to be
known as the Pathways Program, which shall--
(1) promote employment opportunities for students and
recent graduates in the Federal workforce by excepting
participants in the Program from the competitive service
requirements for certain competitive service positions in the
civil service; and
(2) consist of an Internship Program as described in
subsection (d), a Recent Graduates Program as described in
subsection (e), and a Presidential Management Fellows Program
as described in subsection (f).
(c) Regulations.--The Director shall issue regulations for the
Pathways Program, including--
(1) a description of the positions that Executive agencies
may fill through the Pathways Program because conditions of
good administration necessitate excepting those positions from
the competitive hiring rules;
(2) rules governing whether, to what extent, and in what
manner public notice should be provided of job opportunities in
the Pathways Program;
(3) a description of career-development, training, and
mentorship opportunities for participants in the Pathways
Program;
(4) requirements that managers assess the performance of
participants in the Pathways Program to identify those
individuals who should be considered for conversion to career
appointments in the civil service;
(5) a description of oversight by the Office of Personnel
Management of the use by Executive agencies of the Pathways
Program to ensure that--
(A) the Pathways Program serves as a supplement to,
and not a substitute for, the competitive hiring
process; and
(B) Executive agencies are using the Pathways
Program to develop talent for careers in the civil
service;
(6) a description of plans by the Office of Personnel
Management to evaluate--
(A) competitive service requirements for certain
positions in the civil service;
(B) the effectiveness of Executive agencies in
recruiting and retaining talent using the Pathways
Program; and
(C) the satisfaction of those students, graduates,
and hiring managers participating in the Pathways
Program; and
(7) standard naming conventions across Executive agencies,
so that students and recent graduates can clearly understand
and compare the career pathway opportunities available to them
in the Federal Government.
(d) Internship Program.--
(1) In general.--The Internship Program shall provide
students in high schools, community colleges, four-year
colleges, trade schools, career and technical education
programs, the Job Corps program, and other qualifying
educational institutions and programs, as determined by the
Director, with paid opportunities to work in agencies and
explore Federal careers while still in school.
(2) Requirements and policies.--The following requirements
and policies shall apply to the Internship Program:
(A) Participants in the Program shall be students
enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, at institution or
program described in paragraph (1).
(B) Subject to such exceptions as may be provided
by regulation, Executive agencies shall provide
participants in the Internship Program with meaningful
developmental work and set clear expectations regarding
the work experience of the participant.
(C) Students employed by third-party, non-federal
internship providers but placed in Executive agencies
may, to the extent permitted by regulation, be treated
as participants in the Internship Program.
(D) Executive agencies shall participate in the
Internship Program for the primary purpose of
developing and evaluating talent for future permanent
employment with the Federal Government.
(e) Recent Graduates Program.--
(1) In general.--The Recent Graduates Program shall provide
individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying
educational institutions or programs with developmental
experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote
possible careers in the civil service.
(2) Requirements and policies.--The following requirements
and policies shall apply to the Recent Graduates Program:
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
participants in the Recent Graduates Program shall have
obtained a qualifying degree or completed a qualifying
career or technical education program, as determined by
the Director, within the 3-year period immediately
preceding participation in the Recent Graduates
Program.
(B) Any veteran who, due to the military service
obligation of such veteran, was precluded from
participating in the Recent Graduates Program during
the 3-year period described in subparagraph (A) shall
be eligible to participate in the Program within 6
years after obtaining a qualifying degree or completing
a qualifying career or technical education program.
(C) A veteran with respect to which subparagraph
(B) applies may participate not more than once in the
Recent Graduates Program.
(D) Responsibilities assigned to a participant in
the Recent Graduates Program shall be consistent with
the qualifications, educational background, and career
interests of such participant, the purpose of the
Recent Graduates Program, and the needs of Executive
agencies.
(E) Appointments to the Recent Graduates Program
may not exceed two years, except that the employing
Executive agency may extend the appointment for up to
120 days.
(3) Pre-graduation appointments offers.--
(A) In general.--Executive agencies may, in
accordance with subparagraph (B), offer appointments to
participate in Recent Graduates Program to individuals
who, not later than 182 days after such offer is made,
will obtain a qualifying degree or complete a
qualifying career or technical education program
described in paragraph (2)(A).
(B) Appointment limitations.--An appointment
offered under paragraph (A) shall--
(i) be effective on or after the date on
which the offer recipient obtains a qualifying
degree or completes a qualifying career or
technical education program described in
paragraph (2)(A); and
(ii) be rescinded if the offer recipient
does not obtain such a qualifying degree or
complete such a qualifying career or technical
education program prior to the end of the 182
day period beginning on the date on which the
offer is made.
(f) Presidential Management Fellows Program.--
(1) In general.--The Presidential Management Fellows
Program shall provide opportunities to individuals from various
academic disciplines at the graduate level who have an interest
in, and commitment to, leading and managing public programs and
policies.
(2) Requirements and policies.--The following requirements
and policies shall apply to the Presidential Management Fellows
Program:
(A) Participants in the Presidential Management
Fellows Program must have received a qualifying
advanced degree, as determined by the Director, within
the 2-year period immediately preceding participation
in the Presidential Management Fellows Program.
(B) Responsibilities assigned to a Presidential
Management Fellow shall be consistent with the
qualifications, educational background, and career
interests of the fellow, the purposes of the
Presidential Management Fellows Program, and Executive
agency needs.
(C) The Office of Personnel Management shall
establish the eligibility requirements and minimum
qualifications for the Presidential Management Fellows
Program, as well as a process for assessing eligible
individuals for consideration for appointment to
participate in the Presidential Management Fellows
Program.
(g) Pathway Program Appointments.--The following requirements shall
apply to appointments in the Pathways Program:
(1) Appointments to the Pathways Program shall be under the
excepted service.
(2) Appointments to the Pathways Program shall not confer
any right to further Federal employment in either the
competitive service or the excepted service upon the expiration
of the appointment.
(h) Conversions.--
(1) In general.--The head of an Executive agency may, in
accordance with this subsection and without regard to any
provision of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, and any
other provision of law relating to the examination,
certification, and appointment of individuals in the
competitive service--
(A) convert the appointments of participants in the
Pathways Program (other than participants in the
Presidential Management Fellows Program described in
subsection (f)) to term, career, or career-conditional
appointments in the competitive service; and
(B) convert the appointments of such participants
who are initially converted to a term appointment under
subparagraph (A) to a career or career-conditional
appointment in the competitive service before the term
appointment expires.
(2) Conversion requirements.--
(A) In general.--In addition to the requirements
under this subsection, the Director may establish
requirements for converting an appointment under
paragraph (1).
(B) Internship program participant.--The
appointment of a participant in the Internship Program
described in subsection (d) may be converted to a
career or career-conditional appointment under
paragraph (1) only if the participant--
(i) is a citizen of the United States;
(ii) has completed not less than one year
as a participant in the Internship Program
while enrolled as a half- or full-time degree-
or certificate-seeking student at an
institution or program described in subsection
(d)(1);
(iii) in the 180-day period ending on the
date on which the appointment of such
participant is converted under paragraph (1),
has completed a course of study at an
institution or program described in subsection
(d)(1);
(iv) meets the qualification standards for
the position to which the participant will be
converted, including any requirements of the
Executive agency in which such position is
located; and
(v) receives a favorable recommendation
from an official of the Executive agency or
agencies in which the participant serves under
the Internship Program.
(C) Recent graduates program participant.--The
appointment of a participant in the Recent Graduates
Program described in subsection (e) may be converted to
a career or career-conditional appointment under
paragraph (1) only if the participant--
(i) is a citizen of the United States;
(ii) has completed not less than one year
of continuous service as a participant in the
Recent Graduates Program, except that such one-
year requirement shall be reduced by the amount
of time, if any, the participant spent as a
participant in the Internship Program described
in subsection (d);
(iii) has demonstrated successful
performance of the responsibilities of each
position to which the participant has been
assigned under the Recent Graduates Program;
(iv) meets the qualification standards for
the position to which the participant will be
converted, including any requirements of the
Executive agency in which such position is
located; and
(v) receives a recommendation for
conversion from the immediate supervisor of the
participant under the Recent Graduates Program.
(D) Other agency appointment.--The head of an
Executive agency may exercise the authority under
paragraph (1) with respect to a participant in the
Pathways Program not appointed to a position in such
Executive agency only if the appointment of such
participant is converted to an appointment to a
position in such Executive agency.
(3) Conversion eligibility database.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall
establish and maintain a database of participants in
the Pathways program whose appointments are eligible
for conversion to career or career-conditional
appointments under paragraph (1).
(B) Availability.--The Director shall make the
database established under subparagraph (A) available
to each Executive agency.
(C) Conversion eligibility reporting.--
(i) In general.--The head of each Executive
agency shall submit to the Director such
information as determined by the Director
regarding each participant in the Pathways
program appointed to a position within such
Executive agency whose appointment is eligible
for conversion to career or career-conditional
appointments under paragraph (1).
(ii) Form.--The head of each Executive
agency shall submit the information required
under clause (i) at such time and in such
manner and form as determined appropriate by
the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management.
(D) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Office of
Personnel Management for each fiscal year such funds as
may be necessary to carry out this paragraph.
(i) Subsequent Appointments.--
(1) In general.--The head of an Executive agency may, in
accordance with this subsection and without regard to any
provision of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, (other
than sections 3303 and 3328), appoint current and previous
participants in the Pathways Program to positions in the
competitive service.
(2) Appointment requirements.--
(A) In general.--In addition to the requirements
under this subsection, the Director may establish
requirements for appointments under paragraph (1).
(B) Internship program.--A current or previous
participant in the Internship Program described in
subsection (d) may be appointed under paragraph (1)
only if the participant--
(i) is a citizen of the United States;
(ii) has completed not less than one year
as a participant in the Internship Program
while enrolled as a half- or full-time degree-
or certificate-seeking student at an
institution or program described in subsection
(d)(1);
(iii) in the 120-day period ending on the
date on which such participant is appointed
under paragraph (1), has completed a course of
study at an institution or program described in
subsection (d)(1);
(iv) meets the qualification standards for
the position to which the participant will be
appointed, including any requirements of the
Executive agency in which such position is
located; and
(v) receives a favorable recommendation
from an official of the Executive agency or
agencies in which the participant served under
the Internship Program.
(C) Recent graduates program participant.--A
current or previous participant in the Recent Graduates
Program described in subsection (e) may be appointed
under paragraph (1) only if the participant--
(i) is a citizen of the United States;
(ii) has completed not less than one year
of continuous service as a participant in the
Recent Graduates Program, except that such one-
year requirement shall be reduced by the amount
of time, if any, the participant spent as a
participant in the Internship Program described
in subsection (d);
(iii) has demonstrated successful
performance of the responsibilities of each
position to which the participant was assigned
under the Recent Graduates Program;
(iv) meets the qualification standards for
the position to which the participant will be
appointed, including any requirements of the
Executive agency in which such position is
located; and
(v) receives a recommendation for such
appointment from the immediate supervisor of
the participant under the Recent Graduates
Program.
(D) Presidential management fellows program
participant.--A previous participant in the
Presidential Management Fellows Program described in
subsection (f) may be appointed under paragraph (1)
only if the participant--
(i) is a citizen of the United States;
(ii) successfully completed the
Presidential Management Fellows Program in
accordance with the standards set by the Office
of Personnel Management and the relevant
agency;
(iii) for each position to which the
participant was assigned under the Presidential
Management Fellows Program--
(I) if the performance of the
participant for such position was
assessed under the performance
appraisal program of the Executive
agency in which this position was
located, received a rating for such
performance that is not less than fully
successful or an equivalent rating; and
(II) for any other such position,
demonstrated successful performance of
the responsibilities of such position;
(iv) meets the qualification standards for
the position to which the participant will be
appointed, including any requirements of the
Executive agency in which such position is
located; and
(v) receives a recommendation for such
appointment from the immediate supervisor of
the participant under the Presidential
Management Fellows Program.
(j) Interaction With Other Law.--Beginning one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, any program that may be established or
operated under this section, Executive Order 13562 (75 Fed. Reg. 82583,
relating to recruiting and hiring students and recent graduates), or
Executive Order 13318 (68 Fed. Reg. 66317, relating to the Presidential
Management Fellows Program) and any authority provided under this
section and such Executive Orders, shall be deemed to be established,
operated, and provided, as applicable, under this section.
(k) Definition of Federal Internship Program.--Section 3111a(c)(1)
of title 5, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further
amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) as
subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) the Internship Program established under
section 8 of the Building the Next Generation of
Federal Employees Act;'';
(3) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by inserting
after ``(75 Federal Register 82525)'' the following: ``or the
Internship Program established under section 8 of the Building
the Next Generation of Federal Employees Act''; and
(4) in subparagraph (E)(i), as so redesignated, by
inserting after ``(75 Federal Register 82525)'' the following:
``or the Internship Program established under section 8 of the
Building the Next Generation of Federal Employees Act''.
SEC. 9. ENHANCED HIRING FOR RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES AND POST-SECONDARY
STUDENTS.
(a) Recent Graduate Hiring Authority.--Section 3115(e)(1) of title
5, United States Code, is amended by striking all that follows
``exceed'' and inserting ``the greater of either 15 percent of the
number of individuals that the agency head appointed during the
previous fiscal year to permanent employment or 1 percent of the
average number of permanent employees in the agency during the previous
fiscal year.''.
(b) Post-Secondary Student Hiring Authority.--Section 3116 of title
5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)(1), by striking all that follows
``exceed'' and inserting ``the greater of either 15 percent of
the number of individuals that the agency head appointed during
the previous fiscal year to permanent employment or 1 percent
of the average number of permanent employees in the agency
during the previous fiscal year.''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``640'' and inserting
``400''.
SEC. 10. INFORMATION ON USE OF EXPEDITED HIRING AUTHORITY FOR COLLEGE
GRADUATES.
(a) In General.--The head of each Executive agency shall submit to
the Director of the Office of Personnel Management information on the
use of the authority under section 3115 of title 5, United States Code,
by such Executive agency at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Director determines appropriate.
(b) Publication.--
(1) In general.--Not less than once each fiscal-year
quarter, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management
shall publish on a database described in paragraph (2) the
information received under subsection (a), including--
(A) the number individuals appointed under section
3115 of title 5, United States Code;
(B) the demographic information of such
individuals;
(C) the occupational series of the positions to
which such individuals were appointed; and
(D) the rates of pay for such individuals.
(2) Existing database use.--The database described in this
paragraph is a publicly available online database that is
publicly available online as of the date of the enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 11. COMPETITIVE SERVICE EXAMINATION CREDIT.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in section 3(e)(2)(C), in
examinations for the competitive service in which experience is an
element of qualification, a fellow or intern shall be entitled to 5
additional points above the earned rating of such fellow or intern if
such fellow or intern completes a fellowship or internship,
respectively, that--
(1) is not less than six months in duration;
(2) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management has
approved as entitling the individuals who complete such
fellowship or internship to such credit.
(b) Credit Availability.--The credit under subsection (a) shall
remain available for a period of 12 months beginning on the later of
the date on which the fellowship or internship of the fellow or intern
ends or the date on which the fellow or intern graduates from a
qualifying institution, as determined by the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management.
(c) Application.--A sponsoring agency or third-party internship
provider seeking the approval described in subsection (a)(2) for a
fellowship or internship offered by such entity shall submit to the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management an application at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director
determines appropriate.
(d) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director shall issue regulations carrying
out this section.
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