Legis Daily

Telework Reform Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-82| Senate 
| Updated: 1/13/2025
James Lankford

James Lankford

Republican Senator

Oklahoma

Cosponsors (1)
Gary C. Peters (Democratic)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, the Telework Reform Act of 2025, significantly amends title 5, United States Code, to update federal employee telework policies. It introduces new definitions, distinguishing between "telework" as a flexible arrangement and "remote work" as full-time work from an approved alternative site. These definitions clarify the scope and expectations for federal employees working outside traditional agency offices. Executive agencies must now ensure telework agreements are for periods not longer than one year and undergo annual supervisor reviews assessing policy adherence, employee performance, and agency needs. Telework may be restricted if an employee is disciplined for unauthorized absence, performs below acceptable levels, or violates policy terms. The bill also limits travel reimbursement for remote workers within 75 miles of their agency-designated worksite, unless approved. It mandates annual training for managers and supervisors on accurate reporting of telework eligibility and participation. Agencies must establish systems to confirm employees are working solely at approved worksites. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is directed to issue new guidelines for information and security protections for teleworking, with annual reviews by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Telework Managing Officers are required to conduct biennial surveys on telework effectiveness and maintain agency web pages as information portals. OPM reporting requirements are expanded to include detailed statistics on various telework frequencies and an analysis of productivity and cost savings. OPM will prescribe new regulations for evaluating positions for telework eligibility, considering costs, and processing changes to remote worksites, including defining limited geographical boundaries. The Act establishes a noncompetitive appointment process for qualified covered veterans and spouses of Armed Forces members into remote work positions. Additionally, it creates a seven-year pilot program allowing noncompetitive appointment for spouses of law enforcement officers to remote work roles. The Director of OPM must report annually on the pilot program's effectiveness in recruitment and retention.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3015
Telework Reform Act of 2024
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3015
    Telework Reform Act of 2024


  • January 13, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 13, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Government Operations and Politics

Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCommutingComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightEmployee performanceEmployment and training programsFamily relationshipsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsLabor-management relationsLaw enforcement officersOffice of Personnel Management (OPM)Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Telework Reform Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-82| Senate 
| Updated: 1/13/2025
This bill, the Telework Reform Act of 2025, significantly amends title 5, United States Code, to update federal employee telework policies. It introduces new definitions, distinguishing between "telework" as a flexible arrangement and "remote work" as full-time work from an approved alternative site. These definitions clarify the scope and expectations for federal employees working outside traditional agency offices. Executive agencies must now ensure telework agreements are for periods not longer than one year and undergo annual supervisor reviews assessing policy adherence, employee performance, and agency needs. Telework may be restricted if an employee is disciplined for unauthorized absence, performs below acceptable levels, or violates policy terms. The bill also limits travel reimbursement for remote workers within 75 miles of their agency-designated worksite, unless approved. It mandates annual training for managers and supervisors on accurate reporting of telework eligibility and participation. Agencies must establish systems to confirm employees are working solely at approved worksites. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is directed to issue new guidelines for information and security protections for teleworking, with annual reviews by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Telework Managing Officers are required to conduct biennial surveys on telework effectiveness and maintain agency web pages as information portals. OPM reporting requirements are expanded to include detailed statistics on various telework frequencies and an analysis of productivity and cost savings. OPM will prescribe new regulations for evaluating positions for telework eligibility, considering costs, and processing changes to remote worksites, including defining limited geographical boundaries. The Act establishes a noncompetitive appointment process for qualified covered veterans and spouses of Armed Forces members into remote work positions. Additionally, it creates a seven-year pilot program allowing noncompetitive appointment for spouses of law enforcement officers to remote work roles. The Director of OPM must report annually on the pilot program's effectiveness in recruitment and retention.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3015
Telework Reform Act of 2024
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 13, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3015
    Telework Reform Act of 2024


  • January 13, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 13, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
James Lankford

James Lankford

Republican Senator

Oklahoma

Cosponsors (1)
Gary C. Peters (Democratic)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Government Operations and Politics

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCommutingComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightEmployee performanceEmployment and training programsFamily relationshipsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsLabor-management relationsLaw enforcement officersOffice of Personnel Management (OPM)Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation