Omnibus Civil Service Reform Act of 1996

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Demonstration Projects

Title II: Performance Management Enhancement

Title III: Enhancement of Thrift Savings Plan and Certain

Other Benefits

Title IV: Reorganization Flexibility

Title V: Soft-Landing Provisions

Title VI: Miscellaneous

Omnibus Civil Service Reform Act of 1996 - Title I: Demonstration Projects - Amends Federal law provisions concerning government organization to modify certain provisions concerning demonstration projects, including: (1) revising the authority of agencies concerning such projects; and (2) increasing the number of projects which may be in effect at any one time.

Title II: Performance Management Enhancement - Prohibits an appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board with respect to a denial of a periodic step-increase. Changes standards for performance ratings concerning such increases, including those affecting the Library of Congress.

(Sec. 202) Modifies the performance appraisal system requirements to limit an employee to a single opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance.

(Sec. 203) Amends provisions respecting cash awards honoring invention or superior accomplishment, including: (1) eliminating any reference to the District of Columbia; and (2) permitting such awards to a group.

(Sec. 204) Eliminates the authority of an arbitrator, in a negotiated grievance, to order an agency to take specified disciplinary actions.

(Sec. 205) Directs OPM to collect information on training programs within the Government and to submit a report to the Congress on an annual basis. Permits OPM to: (1) collect information on training programs utilized outside the Government and; (2) on request, make such information available.

Title III: Enhancement of Thrift Savings Plan and Certain Other Benefits - Provides for loans for furloughed employees under the Thrift Savings Plan.

(Sec. 302) Requires that Federal life insurance benefits which would otherwise be paid under the specified order of preference be paid to another person, if there is a domestic relations court order in effect.

(Sec. 303) Continues unreduced additional optional life insurance for certain employees in accordance with the employee's written election at the time eligibility to continue insurance during retirement or receipt of compensation arises.

Title IV: Reorganization Flexibility - Revises provisions under which the head of an Executive agency or military department (currently, military only), until September 30, 2001, (currently, September 30, 1996) may: (1) separate any employee volunteering to separate (except for an employee with critical skills) whether or not such employee is subject to separation due to a reduction in force; and (2) retain an employee, for each such employee voluntarily separated, in a similar position who would otherwise be separated due to a reduction in force.

(Sec. 402) Authorizes nonreimbursable details within Executive agencies and military departments before a reduction in force.

Title V: Soft-Landing Provisions - Permits an involuntarily separated employee to make payments which will continue his or her Federal life insurance coverage for up to 18 months following the separation.

(Sec. 502) Makes provisions for the continued eligibility of involuntarily separated Federal employees for health insurance.

(Sec. 503) Authorizes the establishment of a program to provide job placement and counseling services to current and former employees.

(Sec. 504) Authorizes non-Federal employment incentive payments for education and retraining. Sets forth: (1) definitions; and (2) a limitation on the total amount paid to any individual relating to educational assistance.

Title VI: Miscellaneous - Authorizes the use of appropriated funds to reimburse qualified Federal employees for up to 50 percent of the costs of a limited amount of professional liability insurance.

(Sec. 602) Requires a contractor to offer the right of first refusal of employment to the former Federal employee whose position was abolished because of the conversion of his or her duties to contract.

(Sec. 603) Revises provisions regarding the debarment of any health care provider found to have engaged in fraudulent practices, including requiring (currently, permitting) debarment for certain fraudulent practices.

(Sec. 604) Amends the FEGLI Living Benefits Act to provide for the continuation of health benefits coverage for individuals enrolled in a plan administered by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System before the plan's termination on January 1, 1997.

(Sec. 605) Amends the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996 to direct the United States Enrichment Corporation to pay to the Thrift Savings Fund required employee and agency contributions for those employees who elect to retain their coverage under the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees' Retirement System.

(Sec. 606) Makes amendments relating to the health benefits program for Federal employees which: (1) modify the definition of a carrier; (2) specify that the Government-wide service benefit plan need not be underwritten by participating affiliates licensed in each State; and (3) revise preemption provisions.

(Sec. 607) Sets and maintains the rate of basic pay for certain positions formerly classified at GS-18 of the General Schedule at the rate equal to the highest rate of basic pay for the Senior Executive Service.

(Sec. 608) Amends Federal law to repeal the requirement that the Civil Service Commission keep minutes of its proceedings.

(Sec. 609) Extends to employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation certain procedural and appeal rights with respect to certain adverse personnel actions.