Bill > S1378

This bill, titled the Government Employee Accountability Act, aims to establish new procedures for placing Senior Executive Service (SES) employees on "investigative leave," which is defined as a temporary absence without duty for disciplinary reasons, generally not exceeding 90 days, for alleged misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or misappropriation of funds. Agencies can place employees on investigative leave with pay, or without pay if the alleged conduct is serious or flagrant. During this leave, the agency must review the investigation every 45 days and report to Congress, and at the end of the leave period, the employee can be removed, suspended without pay, or reinstated. The bill also outlines procedures for placing employees on investigative leave, including advance written notice and the right to respond, and allows for appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board. Additionally, it provides agency heads with the authority to remove SES employees for neglect of duty, misappropriation of funds, or malfeasance under specific conditions, and requires notification to Congress of such removals. The bill also makes amendments to existing laws regarding suspensions and reinstatements for SES employees to include "misappropriation of funds" as a cause for such actions.