Bill · S. 918· Senate(119-S-918)
Protect Our Probationary Employees Act
- Introduced
- 3/10/2025
- Last activity
- 3/10/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Chris Van Hollen
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Protect Our Probationary Employees Act," aims to help Federal employees who were involuntarily separated during a probationary or trial period. It allows these individuals to resume their probationary period if they are reinstated to a covered appointment. A covered appointment is a position in their former employing agency that is, as much as possible, the same as their previous position. The bill specifies how the remaining duration of the probationary period should be calculated upon reinstatement. Finally, the Act is set to terminate on January 20, 2029.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Resumption of Probationary Period: This provision allows a covered probationary employee to resume their service toward a final appointment rather than starting over entirely. This is beneficial for those who were involuntarily separated during a specific timeframe (Section 2(a)(2) and Section 2(b)).
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Calculated Probationary Duration: The bill provides a specific formula to determine the remaining time needed for a probationary period to become final. It calculates this by taking the total duration required for the new appointment and subtracting the time already served in the previous Federal position (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limitation on Scope: The benefits are restricted to those who were involuntarily separated within a specific timeframe, beginning on January 20, 2025, and ending on the date the Act terminates (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Expiration of the Act: The Act includes a sunset provision, meaning all the protections and rules provided by this bill will terminate on January 20, 2029 (Section 2(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
No significant interests or groups are affected by this bill.
- 2/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/27/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/13/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia