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DHS MORALE Act

5/11/2023, 3:45 PM

Summary of Bill HR 490

The DHS MORALE Act, also known as Bill 117 hr 490, is a piece of legislation introduced in the United States Congress. The purpose of this bill is to improve the morale of employees within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by addressing issues related to employee engagement, leadership, and communication within the department.

The DHS MORALE Act aims to establish a framework for measuring and improving employee morale within the DHS. This includes conducting regular surveys to assess employee satisfaction, implementing training programs for supervisors to improve leadership skills, and promoting better communication between management and employees.

Additionally, the bill seeks to address specific issues that may be contributing to low morale within the DHS, such as high turnover rates, lack of career advancement opportunities, and inadequate support for employees dealing with stress and trauma. Overall, the DHS MORALE Act is designed to create a more positive and supportive work environment within the Department of Homeland Security, ultimately leading to higher levels of employee satisfaction and productivity.

Congressional Summary of HR 490

Department of Homeland Security Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement Act of 2021 or the DHS MORALE Act

This bill addresses workforce morale at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The bill expands the duties of the Chief Human Capital Officer to address morale, including through

  • leader development and employee engagement,
  • maintaining a catalogue of available employee development opportunities, and
  • issuing a DHS-wide employee engagement action plan.

DHS (1) must establish an employee engagement steering committee, and (2) may establish an annual employee award program.

DHS shall report to the congressional homeland security committees regarding the impacts of the lapse in appropriations between December 22, 2018, and January 25, 2019, on (1) DHS human resources operations; (2) DHS's ability to meet hiring benchmarks; and (3) retention, attrition, and morale of DHS personnel.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill HR 490

Bill HR 490 is currently in the status of Introduced to Senate since April 22, 2021. Bill HR 490 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on January 25, 2021.  Bill HR 490's most recent activity was Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. as of April 22, 2021

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 490

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
0
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 490

Primary Policy Focus

Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact Areas

- Administrative remedies
- Congressional oversight
- Department of Homeland Security
- Due process and equal protection
- Employee performance
- Employment discrimination and employee rights
- Federal officials
- Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
- Government studies and investigations

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 490

DHS MORALE Act
DHS MORALE Act
Department of Homeland Security Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement Act of 2021
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve morale within the Department of Homeland Security workforce by conferring new responsibilities to the Chief Human Capital Officer, establishing an employee engagement steering committee, requiring action plans, and authorizing an annual employee award program, and for other purposes.
Department of Homeland Security Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement Act of 2021
DHS MORALE Act
Department of Homeland Security Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement Act of 2021
DHS MORALE Act

Comments

Sponsors and Cosponsors of HR 490

Bennie G. Thompson
Bennie G. Thompson
MississippiDemocrat

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