Bill > HR5750

This bill, known as the Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act (EQUALS Act) of 2025, aims to modify probationary and trial periods for federal employees in both the competitive and excepted service. For competitive service positions, the bill extends the standard probationary period from one to two years, with preference-eligible veterans maintaining a one-year probationary period. During this period, agencies must evaluate an employee's fitness and determine whether their continued employment serves the public interest. The bill requires agencies to provide written notice before terminating an employee and allows agency heads to consider performance, conduct, agency needs, and organizational goals when deciding whether to retain an employee. For positions requiring formal training or licensing, the probationary period may extend beyond two years. The bill also establishes a similar two-year trial period for employees in the excepted service, with preference-eligible veterans serving a one-year trial period. Additionally, the bill modifies adverse action provisions to require non-preference employees to have two years of continuous employment before certain employment protections apply, and mandates that the Office of Personnel Management issue implementing regulations within 180 days of the act's enactment. The changes will take effect one year after the act is enacted and apply to new appointments in the competitive and excepted service.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5750/all-info