S-2542 would require the FPS to ensure that every federal building under its protection has a designated security official to carry out response to violent threats. Image: Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffAmong bills recently introduced in Congress was S-2542, to require the FPS and DHS to issue guidance for emergency communication and response to violent threats in or around federal facilities, including weapons threats, potential terrorism and suspicious devices.
The bill also would require the FPS to ensure that every federal building under its protection has a designated security official who will carry out the enacted safety procedures, and to conduct periodic testing in preparation for crises.
“Over the last five years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of terrorist attacks and plots against government targets, including bomb threats. This bill would finally establish emergency protocols and communication standards to keep federal building tenants safe and informed in a crisis,” sponsors said.
Also introduced recently were:
* S-2473, to establish a 60-hour regular workweek for firefighters protecting federal installations while holding their current overall pay steady; and adjust the FERS calculation for firefighters to recognize the full wages paid to a firefighter for their hours of scheduled overtime, rather than only valuing these hours at their basic rate of pay.
* S-2527, to strengthen whistleblower protections for FBI employees through steps such as clarifying what types of disclosures are legally protected and rights for appealing personnel actions to the MSPB; and by adding protections against denials or revocations of security clearances as a form of retaliation.
* HR-5000, to eliminate degree requirements for federal cybersecurity positions unless required by law where the duties are to be performed; to allow agencies to consider education in determining a candidate’s satisfaction of any other minimum qualification only if it “directly reflects the competencies necessary to satisfy that qualification and perform the duties of the position”; and to require the OPM to annually publish data on the educational backgrounds of new hires.
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