S.Amdt. 6256

Mr. Schatz submitted this amendment to add a section called the Federal Employees Civil Relief Act to bill S. 4784.

The purpose of this addition is to temporarily stop judicial and administrative proceedings and transactions that could hurt the civil rights of Federal workers (including contractor employees) during a government shutdown.

Key Changes and Additions

The amendment aims to provide the following protections for Federal workers and their dependents during a shutdown and a "covered period" (which lasts until 30 days after a shutdown ends):

• Financial Relief: Workers can apply for a court to stay or postpone payments for rent, mortgages, taxes, student loans, insurance premiums, and other civil obligations.
• Housing and Property: It prohibits landlords from evicting workers and lenders from foreclosing on property or enforcing liens without a court order.
• Student Loans and Taxes: It allows for student loan deferment (where interest does not accrue) and the deferral of Federal income tax collections for up to 90 days after a shutdown ends.
• Insurance: It prevents health, life, disability, and motor vehicle insurance policies from lapsing or terminating due to nonpayment during a covered period without a court order.
• Rights Protection: It ensures that using these relief measures cannot be used as a reason to deny credit, change credit terms, or report negative information to consumer reporting agencies.
• Accountability: It establishes penalties for violations, including potential fines and imprisonment for up to one year. It also allows the Attorney General or aggrieved individuals to take civil action for damages.