CHAPTER 79—SERVICES TO EMPLOYEES

Last Updated on May 5, 2020 by LawEuro

5 USC Ch. 79: SERVICES TO EMPLOYEES
From Title 5 – GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEES
PART III—EMPLOYEES
Subpart F—Labor-Management and Employee Relations

CHAPTER 79—SERVICES TO EMPLOYEES

Sec.
7901. Health service programs.
7902. Safety programs.
7903. Protective clothing and equipment.
7904. Employee assistance programs relating to drug abuse and alcohol abuse.
7905. Programs to encourage commuting by means other than single-occupancy motor vehicles.
7906. Services of post-combat case coordinators.

Amendments

2011—Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title XI, §1106(b), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1614, added item 7906.
1993—Pub. L. 103–172, §2(b), Dec. 2, 1993, 107 Stat. 1996, added item 7905.
1986—Pub. L. 99–570, title VI, §6004(b), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–159, added item 7904.

State or Local Government Programs Encouraging Employee Use of Public Transportation; Federal Agency Participation

Pub. L. 102–241, §44, Dec. 19, 1991, 105 Stat. 2226, provided that: “The Department of Transportation may include military personnel of the Coast Guard in any program in which the Department participates under section 629 of the Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations Act, 1991, Public Law 101–509 [set out below], notwithstanding section 629(c)(2) of that Act.”

[For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.]

Pub. L. 101–509, title VI, §629, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1478, authorized Federal agencies and employees to participate in State or local government programs encouraging employees to use public transportation, directed General Accounting Office, not later than June 30, 1993, to conduct a study and submit a report on the implementation of such programs, and provided that this section was repealed effective Dec. 31, 1993.

 

§7901. Health service programs

(a) The head of each agency of the Government of the United States may establish, within the limits of appropriations available, a health service program to promote and maintain the physical and mental fitness of employees under his jurisdiction.

(b) A health service program may be established by contract or otherwise, but only—

(1) after consultation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and consideration of its recommendations; and

(2) in localities where there are a sufficient number of employees to warrant providing the service.

(c) A health service program is limited to—

(1) treatment of on-the-job illness and dental conditions requiring emergency attention;

(2) preemployment and other examinations;

(3) referral of employees to private physicians and dentists; and

(4) preventive programs relating to health.

(d) The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, on request, shall review a health service program conducted under this section and shall submit comment and recommendations to the head of the agency concerned.

(e) When this section authorizes the use of the professional services of physicians, that authorization includes the use of the professional services of surgeons and osteopathic practitioners within the scope of their practice as defined by State law.

(f) The health programs conducted by the Tennessee Valley Authority are not affected by this section.

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 530; Pub. L. 90–83, §1(47), Sept. 11, 1967, 81 Stat. 209; Pub. L. 104–201, div. C, title XXXV, §3548(a)(9), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2869.)

Historical and Revision Notes
1966 Act
Derivation U.S. Code Revised Statutes and

Statutes at Large

5 U.S.C. 150. Aug. 8, 1946, ch. 865, 60 Stat. 903.

Sept. 23, 1950, ch. 1010, §8, 64 Stat. 986.

In subsection (a), the words “agency of the Government of the United States” are coextensive with and substituted for “departments and agencies including Government-owned and controlled corporations” to avoid confusion with the definitions in sections 101–105.

In subsection (d) the word “appropriate” in the phrase “appropriate comment and recommendations” is omitted as unnecessary. The words “to the head of the agency concerned” are added for clarity.

In subsection (e), the substance of the definition of “physician” in former section 790 is substituted for the reference to that section.

In subsection (f)(2) and (3), the words “Canal Zone Government” and “Panama Canal Company” are substituted for “Panama Canal” and “Panama Railroad”, respectively, on the authority of the Act of Sept. 26, 1950, ch. 1049, §2(a), 64 Stat. 1038.

The last proviso of the first sentence of the Act of Aug. 8, 1946, is omitted as executed.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.

1967 Act

This section amends 5 U.S.C. 7901 to reflect 1966 Reorganization Plan No. 3, effective June 25, 1966, 80 Stat. 1610, section 1 of which transferred all functions of the Public Health Service to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104–201 amended subsec. (f) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (f) read as follows: “The health programs conducted by the following agencies are not affected by this section—

“(1) the Tennessee Valley Authority;

“(2) the Canal Zone Government; and

“(3) the Panama Canal Company.”

Change of Name

Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare redesignated Secretary of Health and Human Services by section 3508 of Title 20, Education.

Short Title of 1993 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–172, §1(a), Dec. 2, 1993, 107 Stat. 1995, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 7905 of this title and provisions set out as notes under section 7905 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Federal Employees Clean Air Incentives Act’.”

Demonstration Project: Health Protection; Health Promotion; Disease Prevention; and Secondary Prevention

Pub. L. 99–251, title I, §110, Feb. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 17, directed Director of Office of Personnel Management to conduct a demonstration project to determine most effective method of furnishing health protection, health promotion, disease prevention, and secondary prevention services to Federal Government employees, with Director to report to Congress no later than 60 days after termination of project on Feb. 27, 1988.

 

§7902. Safety programs

(a) For the purpose of this section—

(1) “employee” means an employee as defined by section 8101 of this title; and

(2) “agency” means an agency in any branch of the Government of the United States (not including the United States Postal Service), including an instrumentality wholly owned by the United States, and the government of the District of Columbia.

(b) The Secretary of Labor shall carry out a safety program under section 941(b)(1) of title 33 covering the employment of each employee of an agency.

(c) The President may—

(1) establish by Executive order a safety council composed of representatives of the agencies and of labor organizations representing employees to serve as an advisory body to the Secretary in furtherance of the safety program carried out by the Secretary under subsection (b) of this section; and

(2) undertake such other measures as he considers proper to prevent injuries and accidents to employees of the agencies.

(d) The head of each agency shall develop and support organized safety promotion to reduce accidents and injuries among employees of his agency, encourage safe practices, and eliminate work hazards and health risks.

(e) Each agency shall—

(1) keep a record of injuries and accidents to its employees whether or not they result in loss of time or in the payment or furnishing of benefits; and

(2) make such statistical or other reports on such forms as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation.

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 530; Pub. L. 91–596, §19(c), Dec. 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 1610; Pub. L. 105–241, §2(b)(2), Sept. 28, 1998, 112 Stat. 1572.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Derivation U.S. Code Revised Statutes and

Statutes at Large

5 U.S.C. 784

(less (a)).

Sept. 16, 1916, ch. 458, §33 (less (a)); added
Dec. 22, 1944, ch. 664, 58 Stat. 887.
Oct. 14, 1949, ch. 691, §209, 63 Stat. 865.

Subsection (a) is added on authority of former sections 790(b) and 794 (1st sentence), which are carried into section 8101.

The words “Secretary of Labor” and “Secretary” are substituted for “Administrator” on authority of section 1 of 1950 Reorg. Plan No. 19, eff. May 24, 1950, 64 Stat. 1271.

Subsection (b) is restated for clarity. The words “under section 941(b)(1) of title 33” are substituted for “The provisions of section 941 of title 33 shall, insofar as not inapplicable, apply” on authority of section 941(g)(2) of title 33. The reference to “a safety program” is based in part on the words “in furtherance of the safety program carried out by the Secretary pursuant to this section” in former section 784(c).

In subsection (d), the word “foster” is omitted as included in “develop and support”. The words “and reduce compensable injuries” are omitted as unnecessary.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.

Amendments

1998—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 105–241 inserted “(not including the United States Postal Service)” after “Government of the United States”.

1970—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 91–596 included representatives of labor organizations representing employees.

Executive Order No. 10990

Ex. Ord. No. 10990, Feb. 5, 1962, 27 F.R. 1065, which provided for the establishment of a Federal Safety Council, was superseded by Ex. Ord. No. 11612, July 26, 1971, 36 F.R. 13891, formerly set out below.

Executive Order No. 11612

Ex. Ord. No. 11612, July 26, 1971, 36 F.R. 13891, which related to occupational safety and health programs for federal employees, was superseded by Ex. Ord. 11807, Sept. 28, 1974, 39 F.R. 35559, formerly set out below.

Executive Order No. 11807

Ex. Ord. No. 11807, Sept. 28, 1974, 39 F.R. 35559, which related to occupational safety and health programs for federal employees and continued the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12196, Feb. 26, 1980, 45 F.R. 12769, set out below.

Ex. Ord. No. 12196. Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees

Ex. Ord. No. 12196, Feb. 26, 1980, 45 F.R. 12769, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12223, June 30, 1980, 45 F.R. 45235; Ex. Ord. No. 12608, Sept. 9, 1987, 52 F.R. 34617, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and statutes of the United States of America, including Section 7902(c) of Title 5 of the United States Code and in accord with Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended (29 U.S.C 668), it is ordered:

1–1. Scope of this Order

1–101. This order applies to all agencies of the Executive Branch except military personnel and uniquely military equipment, systems, and operations.

1–102. For the purposes of this order, the term “agency” means an Executive department, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 101, or any employing unit or authority of the Federal government, other than those of the judicial and legislative branches. Since section 19 [29 U.S.C. 668] of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“the Act”) [29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.] covers all Federal employees, however, the Secretary of Labor (“the Secretary”) shall cooperate and consult with the heads of agencies in the legislative and judicial branches of the government to help them adopt safety and health programs.

1–2. Heads of Agencies

1–201. The head of each agency shall:

(a) Furnish to employees places and conditions of employment that are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

(b) Operate an occupational safety and health program in accordance with the requirements of this order and basic program elements promulgated by the Secretary.

(c) Designate an agency official with sufficient authority to represent the interest and support of the agency head to be responsible for the management and administration of the agency occupational safety and health program.

(d) Comply with all standards issued under section 6 of the Act [29 U.S.C. 655], except where the Secretary approves compliance with alternative standards. When an agency head determines it necessary to apply a different standard, that agency head shall, after consultation with appropriate occupational safety and health committees where established, notify the Secretary and provide justification that equivalent or greater protection will be assured by the alternate standard.

(e) Assure prompt abatement of unsafe or unhealthy working conditions. Whenever an agency cannot promptly abate such conditions, it shall develop an abatement plan setting forth a timetable for abatement and a summary of interim steps to protect employees. Employees exposed to the conditions shall be informed of the provisions of the plan. When a hazard cannot be abated without assistance of the General Services Administration or other Federal lessor agency, an agency shall act with the lessor agency to secure abatement.

(f) Establish procedures to assure that no employee is subject to restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal for filing a report of an unsafe or unhealthy working condition, or other participation in agency occupational safety and health program activities.

(g) Assure that periodic inspections of all agency workplaces are performed by personnel with equipment and competence to recognize hazards.

(h) Assure response to employee reports of hazardous conditions and require inspections within twenty-four hours for imminent dangers, three working days for potential serious conditions, and twenty working days for other conditions. Assure the right to anonymity of those making the reports.

(i) Assure that employee representatives accompany inspections of agency workplaces.

(j) Operate an occupational safety and health management information system, which shall include the maintenance of such records as the Secretary may require.

(k) Provide safety and health training for supervisory employees, employees responsible for conducting occupational safety and health inspections, all members of occupational safety and health committees where established, and other employees.

(l) Submit to the Secretary an annual report on the agency occupational safety and health program that includes information the Secretary prescribes.

1–3. Occupational Safety and Health Committees

1–301. Agency heads may establish occupational safety and health committees. If committees are established, they shall be established at both the national level and, for agencies with field or regional offices, other appropriate levels. The committees shall be composed of representatives of management and an equal number of nonmanagement employees or their representatives. Where there are exclusive bargaining representatives for employees at the national or other level in an agency, such representatives shall select the appropriate nonmanagement members of the committee.

1–302. The committees shall, except where prohibited by law,

(a) Have access to agency information relevant to their duties, including information on the nature and hazardousness of substances in agency workplaces.

(b) Monitor performance, including agency inspections, of the agency safety and health programs at the level they are established.

(c) Consult and advise the agency on the operation of the program.

1–303. A Committee may request the Secretary of Labor to conduct an evaluation or inspection pursuant to this order if half of a Committee is not substantially satisfied with an agency’s response to a report of hazardous working conditions.

1–4. Department of Labor

1–401. The Secretary of Labor shall:

(a) Provide leadership and guidance to the heads of agencies to assist them with their occupational safety and health responsibilities.

(b) Maintain liaison with the Office of Management and Budget in matters relating to this order and coordinate the activities of the Department with those of other agencies that have responsibilities or functions related to Federal employee safety and health, including the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the General Services Administration.

(c) Issue, subject to the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and in consultation with the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, a set of basic program elements. The program elements shall help agency heads establish occupational safety and health committees and operate effective occupational safety and health programs, and shall provide flexibility to each agency head to implement a program consistent with its mission, size and organization. Upon request of an agency head, and after consultation with the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, the Secretary may approve alternate program elements.

(d) Prescribe recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

(e) Assist agencies by providing training materials, and by conducting training programs upon request and with reimbursement.

(f) Facilitate the exchange of ideas and information throughout the government about occupational safety and health.

(g) Provide technical services to agencies upon request, where the Secretary deems necessary, and with reimbursement. These services may include studies of accidents, causes of injury and illness, identification of unsafe and unhealthful working conditions, and means to abate hazards.

(h) Evaluate the occupational safety and health programs of agencies and promptly submit reports to the agency heads. The evaluations shall be conducted through such scheduled headquarters or field reviews, studies or inspections as the Secretary deems necessary, at least annually for the larger or more hazardous agencies or operations, and as the Secretary deems appropriate for the smaller or less hazardous agencies.

(i) Conduct unannounced inspections of agency workplaces when the Secretary determines necessary if an agency does not have occupational safety and health committees; or in response to reports of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions, upon request of occupational safety and health committees under Section 1–3; or, in the case of a report of an imminent danger, when such a committee has not responded to an employee who has alleged to it that the agency has not adequately responded to a report as required in 1–201(h). When the Secretary or his designee performs an inspection and discovers unsafe or unhealthy conditions, a violation of any provisions of this order, or any safety or health standards adopted by an agency pursuant to this order, or any program element approved by the Secretary, he shall promptly issue a report to the head of the agency and to the appropriate occupational safety and health committee, if any. The report shall describe the nature of the findings and may make recommendations for correcting the violation.

(j) Submit to the President each year a summary report of the status of the occupational safety and health of Federal employees, and, together with agency responses, evaluations of individual agency progress and problems in correcting unsafe and unhealthful working conditions, and recommendations for improving their performance.

(k) Submit to the President unresolved disagreements between the Secretary and agency heads, with recommendations.

(l) Enter into agreements or other arrangements as necessary or appropriate with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and delegate to it the inspection and investigation authority provided under this section.

1–5. The Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health

1–501. The Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, established pursuant to Executive Order No. 11612, is continued. It shall advise the Secretary in carrying out responsibilities under this order. The Council shall consist of sixteen members appointed by the Secretary, of whom eight shall be representatives of Federal agencies and eight shall be representatives of labor organizations representing Federal employees. The members shall serve three-year terms with the terms of five or six members expiring each year, provided this Council is renewed every two years in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act [5 U.S.C. App.]. The members currently serving on the Council shall be deemed to be its initial members under this order and their terms shall expire in accordance with the terms of their appointment.

1–502. The Secretary, or a designee, shall serve as the Chairman of the Council, and shall prescribe rules for the conduct of its business.

1–503. The Secretary shall make available necessary office space and furnish the Council necessary equipment, supplies, and staff services, and shall perform such functions with respect to the Council as may be required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.).

1–6. General Services Administration

1–601. Within six months of the effective date of this order the Secretary of Labor and the Administrator of the General Services Administration shall initiate a study of conflicts that may exist in their standards and other requirements affecting Federal employee safety and health, and shall establish a procedure for resolving conflicting standards for space leased by the General Services Administration.

1–602. In order to assist the agencies in carrying out their duties under Section 19 of the Act [29 U.S.C. 668] and this order the Administrator shall:

(a) Upon request, require personnel of the General Services Administration to accompany the Secretary or an agency head on any inspection or investigation conducted pursuant to this order of a facility subject to the authority of the General Services Administration.

(b) Assure prompt attention to reports from agencies of unsafe or unhealthy conditions of facilities subject to the authority of the General Services Administration; where abatement cannot be promptly effected, submit to the agency head a timetable for action to correct the conditions; and give priority in the allocation of resources available to the Administrator for prompt abatement of the conditions.

(c) Procure and provide safe supplies, devices, and equipment, and establish and maintain a product safety program for those supplies, devices, equipment and services furnished to agencies, including the issuance of Material Safety Data Sheets when hazardous substances are furnished them.

1–7. General Provisions

1–701. Employees shall be authorized official time to participate in the activities provided for by this order.

1–702. Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or alter the powers and duties of the Secretary or heads of other Federal agencies pursuant to Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 [29 U.S.C. 668]. Chapter 71 of Title 5 of the United States Code, Sections 7901, 7902, and 7903 of Title 5 of the United States Code, nor shall it be construed to alter any other provisions of law or Executive Order providing for collective bargaining agreements and related procedures, or affect the responsibilities of the Director of Central Intelligence to protect intelligence sources and methods ([former] 50 U.S.C. 403(d)(3)).

1–703. Executive Order No. 11807 of September 28, 1974, is revoked.

1–704. This order is effective October 1, 1980.

Executive Order No. 12566

Ex. Ord. No. 12566, Sept. 26, 1986, 51 F.R. 34575, which related to safety belt use by Federal employees, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13043, §5, formerly §6, Apr. 16, 1997, 62 F.R. 19218, as renumbered by Ex. Ord. No. 13652, §5, Sept. 30, 2013, 78 F.R. 61818, set out as a note under section 402 of Title 23, Highways.

Extension of Term of Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health

Term of Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health extended until Sept. 30, 2017, by Ex. Ord. No. 13708, Sept. 30, 2015, 80 F.R. 60271, set out as a note under section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act in the Appendix to this title.

Previous extensions of term of Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health were contained in the following prior Executive Orders:

Ex. Ord. No. 13652, Sept. 30, 2013, 78 F.R. 61817, extended term until Sept. 30, 2015.

Ex. Ord. No. 13585, Sept. 30, 2011, 76 F.R. 62281, extended term until Sept. 30, 2013.

Ex. Ord. No. 13511, Sept. 29, 2009, 74 F.R. 50909, extended term until Sept. 30, 2011.

Ex. Ord. No. 13446, Sept. 28, 2007, 72 F.R. 56175, extended term until Sept. 30, 2009.

Ex. Ord. No. 13385, Sept. 29, 2005, 70 F.R. 57989, extended term until Sept. 30, 2007.

Ex. Ord. No. 13316, Sept. 17, 2003, 68 F.R. 55255, extended term until Sept. 30, 2005.

Ex. Ord. No. 13225, Sept. 28, 2001, 66 F.R. 50291, extended term until Sept. 30, 2003.

Ex. Ord. No. 13138, Sept. 30, 1999, 64 F.R. 53879, extended term until Sept. 30, 2001.

Ex. Ord. No. 13062, §1(b), Sept. 29, 1997, 62 F.R. 51755, extended term until Sept. 30, 1999.

Ex. Ord. No. 12974, Sept. 29, 1995, 60 F.R. 51875, extended term until Sept. 30, 1997.

Ex. Ord. No. 12869, Sept. 30, 1993, 58 F.R. 51751, extended term until Sept. 30, 1995.

Ex. Ord. No. 12774, Sept. 27, 1991, 56 F.R. 49835, extended term until Sept. 30, 1993.

Ex. Ord. No. 12692, Sept. 29, 1989, 54 F.R. 40627, extended term until Sept. 30, 1991.

Ex. Ord. No. 12610, Sept. 30, 1987, 52 F.R. 36901, extended term until Sept. 30, 1989.

Ex. Ord. No. 12534, Sept. 30, 1985, 50 F.R. 40319, extended term until Sept. 30, 1987.

Ex. Ord. No. 12489, Sept. 28, 1984, 49 F.R. 38927, extended term until Sept. 30, 1985.

Ex. Ord. No. 12399, Dec. 31, 1982, 48 F.R. 379, extended term until Sept. 30, 1984.

Ex. Ord. No. 12258, Dec. 31, 1980, 46 F.R. 1251, extended term until Dec. 31, 1982.

Ex. Ord. No. 12110, Dec. 28, 1978, 44 F.R. 1069, extended term until Dec. 31, 1980.

Ex. Ord. No. 11948, Dec. 20, 1976, 41 F.R. 55705, extended term until Dec. 31, 1978.

The Presidential POWER Initiative: Protecting Our Workers and Ensuring Reemployment

Memorandum of President of the United States, July 19, 2010, 75 F.R. 43029, provided:

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Each year Federal civilian employees are injured or fall ill on the job in significant numbers. Although the Federal Government has made progress in reducing workplace injuries and illnesses in recent years, its workers (excluding those employed by the U.S. Postal Service) still filed more than 79,000 new claims and received over $1.6 billion in workers’ compensation payments in fiscal year 2009. Many of these work-related injuries and illnesses are preventable, and executive departments and agencies can and should do even more to improve workplace safety and health, reduce the financial burden of injury on taxpayers, and relieve unnecessary suffering by workers and their families.

Therefore, I am establishing a 4-year Protecting Our Workers and Ensuring Reemployment (POWER) Initiative, covering fiscal years 2011 through 2014. The POWER Initiative will extend prior workplace safety and health efforts of the Federal Government by setting more aggressive performance targets, encouraging the collection and analysis of data on the causes and consequences of frequent or severe injury and illness, and prioritizing safety and health management programs that have proven effective in the past.

Under the POWER Initiative, each executive department and agency will be expected to improve its performance in seven areas:

(i) reducing total injury and illness case rates;

(ii) reducing lost time injury and illness case rates;

(iii) analyzing lost time injury and illness data;

(iv) increasing the timely filing of workers’ compensation claims;

(v) increasing the timely filing of wage-loss claims;

(vi) reducing lost production day rates; and

(vii) speeding employees’ return to work in cases of serious injury or illness.

Executive departments and agencies (except the U.S. Postal Service) shall coordinate with the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs to establish performance targets in each category. The Secretary of Labor shall lead the POWER Initiative by measuring both Government-wide and agency-level performance and reporting to me annually.

Each executive department and agency shall bear its own costs for participating in the POWER Initiative, and nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof.

This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

The Secretary of Labor is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

Barack Obama.

 

§7903. Protective clothing and equipment

Appropriations available for the procurement of supplies and material or equipment are available for the purchase and maintenance of special clothing and equipment for the protection of personnel in the performance of their assigned tasks. For the purpose of this section, “appropriations” includes funds made available by statute under section 9104 of title 31.

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 531; Pub. L. 97–258, §3(a)(16), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1063.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Derivation U.S. Code Revised Statutes and

Statutes at Large

5 U.S.C. 118g. Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 744, §13, 60 Stat. 809.

The definition of the word “appropriations” is added on authority of section 18 of the Act of Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 744, 60 Stat. 811.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.

Amendments

1982—Pub. L. 97–258 substituted “section 9104” for “section 849”.

 

§7904. Employee assistance programs relating to drug abuse and alcohol abuse

(a) The head of each Executive agency shall, in a manner consistent with guidelines prescribed under subsection (b) of this section and applicable provisions of law, establish appropriate prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs and services for drug abuse and alcohol abuse for employees in or under such agency.

(b) The Office of Personnel Management shall, after such consultations as the Office considers appropriate, prescribe guidelines for programs and services under this section.

(c) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, on request of the head of an Executive agency, shall review any program or service provided under this section and shall submit comments and recommendations to the head of the agency concerned.

(Added Pub. L. 99–570, title VI, §6004(a), Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–159.)

 

§7905. Programs to encourage commuting by means other than single-occupancy motor vehicles

(a) For the purpose of this section—

(1) the term “employee” means an employee as defined by section 2105, a member of a uniformed service, and a student who provides voluntary services under section 3111;

(2) the term “agency” means—

(A) an Executive agency;

(B) an entity of the legislative branch; and

(C) the judicial branch;

(3) the term “entity of the legislative branch” means the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Office of the Architect of the Capitol (including the Botanic Garden), the Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office, the Copyright Royalty Tribunal, the Government Publishing Office, the Library of Congress, and the Office of Technology Assessment; and

(4) the term “transit pass” means a transit pass as defined by section 132(f)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(b)(1) The head of each agency may establish a program to encourage employees of such agency to use means other than single-occupancy motor vehicles to commute to or from work.

(2) A program established under this section may involve such options as—

(A) transit passes (including cash reimbursements therefor, but only if a voucher or similar item which may be exchanged only for a transit pass is not readily available for direct distribution by the agency);

(B) furnishing space, facilities, or services to bicyclists; and

(C) any non-monetary incentive which the agency head may otherwise offer under any other provision of law or other authority.

(c) The functions of an agency head under this section shall—

(1) with respect to the judicial branch, be carried out by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts;

(2) with respect to the House of Representatives, be carried out by the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives; and

(3) with respect to the Senate, be carried out by the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.

(d) The President shall designate 1 or more agencies which shall—

(1) prescribe guidelines for programs under this section;

(2) on request, furnish information or technical advice on the design or operation of any program under this section; and

(3) submit to the President and the Congress, before January 1, 1995, and at least every 2 years thereafter, a written report on the operation of this section, including, with respect to the period covered by the report—

(A) the number of agencies offering programs under this section;

(B) a brief description of each of the various programs;

(C) the extent of employee participation in, and the costs to the Government associated with, each of the various programs;

(D) an assessment of any environmental or other benefits realized as a result of programs established under this section; and

(E) any other matter which may be appropriate.

(Added Pub. L. 103–172, §2(a), Dec. 2, 1993, 107 Stat. 1995; amended Pub. L. 107–296, title XIII, §1314(a), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2296; Pub. L. 113–235, div. H, title I, §1301(b), Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2537.)

References in Text

Section 132(f)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (a)(4), is classified to section 132(f)(5) of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Amendments

2002—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “, a member of a uniformed service, and a student who provides voluntary services under section 3111” for “and a member of a uniformed service”.

Change of Name

“Government Publishing Office” substituted for “Government Printing Office” in subsec. (a)(3) on authority of section 1301(b) of Pub. L. 113–235, set out as a note preceding section 301 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective 60 days after Nov. 25, 2002, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as an Effective Date note under section 101 of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 103–172, §3, Dec. 2, 1993, 107 Stat. 1997, provided that: “This Act [enacting this section and provisions set out as notes under this section and section 7901 of this title] and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on January 1, 1994.”

Transit Subsidy for Department of Labor Employees of National Capital Region

Pub. L. 111–8, div. F, title I, §104, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 761, provided that: “After September 30, 2008, the Secretary of Labor shall issue a monthly transit subsidy of not less than the full amount (of not less than $115) that each of its employees of the National Capital Region is eligible to receive.”

Pub. L. 110–161, div. G, title I, §104, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2167, provided that: “After September 30, 2007, the Secretary of Labor shall issue a monthly transit subsidy of not less than the full amount (of not less than $110) that each of its employees of the National Capital Region is eligible to receive.”

Transit Pass Transportation Fringe Benefits

Pub. L. 109–59, title III, §3049(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1711, as amended by Pub. L. 109–435, title VI, §604(f), Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3242, provided that:

“(1) In general.—Effective as of the first day of the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 2005], each covered agency shall implement a program under which all qualified Federal employees serving in or under such agency shall be offered transit pass transportation fringe benefits, as described in paragraph (2).

“(2) Benefits described.—The benefits described in this paragraph are the transit pass transportation fringe benefits which, under section 2 of Executive Order No. 13150 [set out below], are required to be offered by Federal agencies in the National Capital Region on the date of the enactment of this Act.

“(3) Definitions.—In this subsection—

“(A) the term ‘covered agency’ means any agency, to the extent of its facilities in the National Capital Region;

“(B) the term ‘agency’ means any agency (as defined by 7905(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code), the Postal Regulatory Commission, and the Smithsonian Institution;

“(C) the term ‘National Capital Region’ includes the District of Columbia and every county or other geographic area covered by section 2 of Executive Order No. 13150;

“(D) the term ‘Executive Order No. 13150’ refers to Executive Order No. 13150 (5 U.S.C. 7905 note);

“(E) the term ‘Federal agency’ is used in the same way as under section 2 of Executive Order No. 13150; and

“(F) any determination as to whether or not one is a ‘qualified Federal employee’ shall be made applying the same criteria as would apply under section 2 of Executive Order No. 13150.

“(4) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this subsection shall be considered to require that a covered agency—

“(A) terminate any program or benefits in existence on the date of the enactment of this Act, or postpone any plans to implement (before the effective date referred to in paragraph (1)) any program or benefits permitted or required under any other provision of law; or

“(B) discontinue (on or after the effective date referred to in paragraph (1)) any program or benefits referred to in subparagraph (A), so long as such program or benefits satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (1) through (3).”

Transportation Subsidy for Employees of the Senate

Pub. L. 107–68, title I, §112, Nov. 12, 2001, 115 Stat. 569, authorized an employing office of an employee of the Senate to provide a monthly transportation subsidy to such employee up to the maximum monthly amount authorized under section 132(f)(2)(A) of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Transit Subsidies; Appropriations

Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, §101(f) [title II, §210], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681-359, provided that: “Funds appropriated in this Act or subsequent Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts, for the National Institutes of Health may be used to provide transit subsidies in amounts consistent with the transportation subsidy programs authorized under section 629 of Public Law 101–509 [see note preceding section 7901 of this title] to non-FTE bearing positions including trainees, visiting fellows and volunteers.”

Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriations act:

Pub. L. 105–78, title II, §210, Nov. 13, 1997, 111 Stat. 1489.

Purpose of Pub. L. 103–172

Pub. L. 103–172, §1(b), Dec. 2, 1993, 107 Stat. 1995, provided that: “The purpose of this Act [enacting this section and provisions set out as notes under this section and section 7901 of this title] is to improve air quality and to reduce traffic congestion by providing for the establishment of programs to encourage Federal employees to commute by means other than single-occupancy motor vehicles.”

Ex. Ord. No. 13150. Federal Workforce Transportation

Ex. Ord. No. 13150, Apr. 21, 2000, 65 F.R. 24613, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Public Law 105–178) [see Tables for classification], section 1911 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–486) [amending section 132 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code], section 531(a)(1) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 (26 U.S.C. 132), and the Federal Employees Clean Air Incentives Act (Public Law 103–172) [enacting this section and provisions set out as notes above], and in order to reduce Federal employees’ contribution to traffic congestion and air pollution and to expand their commuting alternatives, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Mass Transportation and Vanpool Transportation Fringe Benefit Program. (a) By no later than October 1, 2000, Federal agencies shall implement a transportation fringe benefit program that offers qualified Federal employees the option to exclude from taxable wages and compensation, consistent with section 132 of title 26, United States Code, employee commuting costs incurred through the use of mass transportation and vanpools, not to exceed the maximum level allowed by law (26 U.S.C. 132 (f)(2)). These agency programs shall comply with the requirements of Internal Revenue Service regulations for qualified transportation fringe benefits under section 1.132–9 of title 26, Code of Federal Regulations, and other guidance.

(b) Federal agencies are encouraged to use any nonmonetary incentive that the agencies may otherwise offer under any other provision of law or other authority to encourage mass transportation and vanpool use, as provided for in section 7905(b)(2)(C) of title 5, United States Code.

Sec. 2. Federal Agencies in the National Capital Region. Federal agencies in the National Capital Region shall implement a “transit pass” transportation fringe benefit program for their qualified Federal employees by no later than October 1, 2000. Under this program, agencies shall provide their qualified Federal employees, in addition to current compensation, transit passes as defined in section 132(f)(5) of title 26, United States Code, in amounts approximately equal to employee commuting costs, not to exceed the maximum level allowed by law (26 U.S.C. 132(f)(2)). The National Capital Region is defined as the District of Columbia; Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Frederick Counties in Maryland; Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, and Prince William Counties in Virginia; and all cities now or hereafter existing in Maryland or Virginia within the geographic area bounded by the outer boundaries of the combined area of said counties.

Sec. 3. Nationwide Pilot Program. The Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Energy shall implement a “transit pass” transportation fringe benefit program, as described in section 2 of this order, for all of their qualified Federal employees as a 3 year pilot program by no later than October 1, 2000. Before determining whether the program should be extended to other Federal employees nationwide, it shall be analyzed by an entity determined by the agencies identified in section 4 of this order to ascertain, among other things, if it is effective in reducing single occupancy vehicle travel and local area traffic congestion.

Sec. 4. Guidance. Federal agencies shall develop plans to implement this order in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the General Services Administration, and the Office of Management and Budget. Federal agencies that currently have more generous programs or benefits in place may continue to offer those programs or benefits. Agencies shall absorb the costs of implementing this order within the sums received pursuant to the President’s FY 2001 budget request to the Congress.

Sec. 5. Judicial Review. This order is not intended to and does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by any party against the United States, its agencies or instrumentalities, its officers or employees, or any other person.

William J. Clinton.

 

§7906. Services of post-combat case coordinators

(a) Definitions.—For purposes of this section—

(1) the terms “employee”, “agency”,1 “injury”, “war-risk hazard”, and “hostile force or individual” have the meanings given those terms in section 8101; and

(2) the term “qualified employee” means an employee as described in subsection (b).

(b) Requirement.—The head of each agency shall, in a manner consistent with the guidelines prescribed under subsection (c), provide for the assignment of a post-combat case coordinator in the case of any employee of such agency who suffers an injury or disability incurred, or an illness contracted, while in the performance of such employee’s duties, as a result of a war-risk hazard or during or as a result of capture, detention, or other restraint by a hostile force or individual.

(c) Guidelines.—The Office of Personnel Management shall, after such consultation as the Office considers appropriate, prescribe guidelines for the operation of this section. Under the guidelines, the responsibilities of a post-combat case coordinator shall include—

(1) acting as the main point of contact for qualified employees seeking administrative guidance or assistance relating to benefits under chapter 81 or 89;

(2) assisting qualified employees in the collection of documentation or other supporting evidence for the expeditious processing of claims under chapter 81 or 89;

(3) assisting qualified employees in connection with the receipt of prescribed medical care and the coordination of benefits under chapter 81 or 89;

(4) resolving problems relating to the receipt of benefits under chapter 81 or 89; and

(5) ensuring that qualified employees are properly screened and receive appropriate treatment—

(A) for post-traumatic stress disorder or other similar disorder stemming from combat trauma; or

(B) for suicidal or homicidal thoughts or behaviors.

(d) Duration.—The services of a post-combat case coordinator shall remain available to a qualified employee until—

(1) such employee accepts or declines a reasonable offer of employment in a position in the employee’s agency for which the employee is qualified, which is not lower than 2 grades (or pay levels) below the employee’s grade (or pay level) before the occurrence or onset of the injury, disability, or illness (as referred to in subsection (a)), and which is within the employee’s commuting area; or

(2) such employee gives written notice, in such manner as the employing agency prescribes, that those services are no longer desired or necessary.

(Added Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title XI, §1106(a), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1613.)

1 So in original. The definition of “agency” does not appear in section 8101 of this title.

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