US Congress Senate Bill 585 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Completed Legislative Action
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: Passed on October 26 2017 - 100% progression
Action: 2017-10-26 - Became Public Law No: 115-73. (TXT | PDF)
Text: Latest bill text (Enrolled) [PDF]

Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 TITLE I--EMPLOYEES GENERALLY (Sec. 102) This bill directs federal agencies (excluding any entity that is an element of the intelligence community) to give priority to an employee transfer request if the Merit Systems Protections Board (MSPB) grants a stay of a personnel action at the request of: (1) the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) if the OSC determines the personnel action was taken, or is to be taken, as a result of a prohibited personnel practice; or (2) the employee if the individual is in probationary status and seeks corrective action. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall report to Congress on retaliation against employees in probationary status. (Sec. 103) The bill: (1) prohibits any employee who has the authority to take a personnel action to access the medical records of another employee or applicant for employment, (2) authorizes disciplinary action against supervisors for retaliation against whistleblowers. (Sec. 105) Agencies must: (1) refer information about employee suicides to the OSC, (2) train supervisors on responding to complaints alleging whistleblower protections violations, (3) provide information regarding whistleblower protections to new employees during probationary periods, (4) inform employees of the role of the OSC and the MSPB with regard to whistleblower protection, and (5) make information about such protections available on agency websites. TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMPLOYEES (Sec. 201) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must: (1) submit a plan to prevent unauthorized access to the medical records of VA employees; (2) conduct an outreach program to inform its employees of available mental health services, including telemedicine options; and (3) ensure protocols are in effect to address threats against VA employees providing health care. (Sec. 204) The GAO shall assess the reporting, staffing, accountability, and chain of command structure of the VA police officers at VA medical centers.

Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017

Sen. Ron Johnson [R-WI]

Sen. Joni Ernst [R-IA]

2017-10-12 - House - On motion to recommit with instructions RC# 567 (Y: 190 N: 232 NV: 11 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2017-10-12 - House - On passage RC# 568 (Y: 420 N: 0 NV: 13 Abs: 0) [PASS]

Date	Chamber	Action
2017-10-26	House	Became Public Law No: 115-73. (TXT | PDF)
2017-10-26	House	Signed by President.
2017-10-24	House	Presented to President.
2017-10-12	House	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2017-10-12	House	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 420 - 0 (Roll no. 568). (text: CR H7989)
2017-10-12	House	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 190 - 232 (Roll no. 567).
2017-10-12	House	Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8010-8012)
2017-10-12	House	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the O'Halleran motion to recommit, the Chair put the question on the motion, and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. O'Halleran demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the motion to recommit until a time to be announced.
2017-10-12	House	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
2017-10-12	House	DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the O'Halleran motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House forthwith with an amendment to add a new section at the end of title I related to Disclosure of Violations Relating to Air Transportation.
2017-10-12	House	Mr. O'Halleran moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. (text: CR H8003)
2017-10-12	House	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2017-10-12	House	DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 585.
2017-10-12	House	Rule provides for consideration of S. 585 with 1 hour of general debate. Bill is closed to amendments. The resolution provides for proceedings during the period from October 16, 2017, through October 20, 2017; and provides for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.
2017-10-12	House	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 562. (consideration: CR H7998-8004)
2017-10-11	House	Rule H. Res. 562 passed House.
2017-10-10	House	Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 562 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 585 with 1 hour of general debate. Bill is closed to amendments. The resolution provides for proceedings during the period from October 16, 2017, through October 20, 2017; and provides for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.
2017-05-26	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
2017-05-26	House	Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.
2017-05-26	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
2017-05-26	House	Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2017-05-26	House	Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2017-05-26	House	Received in the House.
2017-05-25	Senate	Message on Senate action sent to the House.
2017-05-25	Senate	Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3190; text as passed Senate: CR S3192-3194)
2017-05-04	Senate	Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 57.
2017-05-04	Senate	Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-44.
2017-03-15	Senate	Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
2017-03-08	Senate	Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

HB3042 (Related) 2017-06-23 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
HR562 (Related) 2017-10-11 - Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/585/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s585/BILLS-115s585is.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s585/BILLS-115s585rs.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s585/BILLS-115s585es.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s585/BILLS-115s585enr.pdf
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2017568
Roll Call	https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2017567