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H.R. 1989: Protect Our Probationary Employees Act

The Protect Our Probationary Employees Act is legislation aimed at modifying the employment conditions of certain federal employees who are in a probationary or trial period. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Key Provisions

Resumption of Probationary Period: The bill allows federal employees who have been involuntarily terminated during their probationary or trial period to resume that period upon being reinstated. This means that the time they had already served in their probationary period will be accounted for, reducing the overall duration they need to complete.
Definitions:
- Covered Appointment: Refers to a position in a federal agency that is similar to the position the employee held before their involuntary separation.
- Covered Probationary Employee: This is someone who was separated from government service between January 20, 2025, and the end of the bill's specified termination date, and who was serving a probationary period at the time of separation.
- Executive Agency: This term describes a federal organization as defined under a specific section of U.S. law.
- Previous Federal Position: The job held by the employee immediately before their status as a covered probationary employee.
Duration of Resumed Probation: The duration of the probationary period for the individual upon resumption will equal the amount of time that remains in their original probation period, minus the time they have already served in their most recent position.
Sunset Provision: The provisions of this Act would be in effect until January 20, 2029, after which the Act would no longer have any legal standing.

This legislation aims to provide some level of job security and fairness to federal employees who are in their probationary periods, ensuring that they are not disadvantaged by involuntary terminations.