Bill > HR2579

This bill, titled the Government Employee Accountability Act, aims to enhance accountability for Senior Executive Service (SES) employees, who are high-level government officials. Key provisions include establishing a new process for "investigative leave," which is a temporary absence from duty for disciplinary reasons, not exceeding 90 days, and can be without pay in cases of flagrant misconduct. Agencies must review investigations every 45 days and report to Congress, and at the end of the leave period, the employee can be removed, suspended, or reinstated. The bill also outlines procedures for placing SES employees on investigative leave, including advance written notice of at least 30 days with specific reasons, unless the conduct is flagrant or a crime is suspected. Furthermore, it expands the grounds for removal of SES employees to include serious neglect of duty, misappropriation of funds, or malfeasance, provided certain conditions are met and the agency head determines it's in the interest of the United States and consistent with government efficiency. The bill also makes technical amendments to existing laws regarding suspensions and reinstatements for SES employees to include "misappropriation of funds" as a cause for action.