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United States · Law · S

S. 585 (115th)

Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

8 March 2017

Last action

26 October 2017 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 115-73.

Sponsors

Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI], Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

Subjects

Healthcare

Source updated

5 December 2025

Healthcare

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 This bill directs federal agencies (excluding any entity that is an element of the intelligence community) to give priority to an employee transfer request if the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) grants a stay of a personnel action at the request of: (1) the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) if the OSC determines the personnel action was taken, or is to be taken, as a result of a prohibited personnel practice; or (2) the employee if such employee is in probationary status and seeks corrective action. The bill: (1) prohibits any employee who has the authority to take a personnel action to access the medical records of another employee or applicant for employment, (2) authorizes disciplinary action against supervisors for retaliation against whistleblowers. Agencies must: (1) refer information about employee suicides to the OSC, (2) train supervisors on responding to complaints alleging whistleblower protections violations, (3) provide information regarding whistleblower protections to new employees during probationary periods, (4) inform employees of the role of the OSC and the MSPB with regard to whistleblower protection, and (5) make information about such protections available on agency websites. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must: (1) submit a plan to prevent unauthorized access to the medical records of VA employees; (2) conduct an outreach program to inform its employees of available mental health services, including telemedicine options; and (3) ensure protocols are in effect to address threats against VA employees providing health care. The Government Accountability Office shall assess the reporting, staffing, accountability, and chain of command structure of VA police officers at VA medical centers.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 8 March 2017

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 8 March 2017

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 15 March 2017

    Reported

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

    Source: Committee

  4. 4 May 2017

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 57.

    Source: Calendars

  5. 4 May 2017

    Reported

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-44.

    Source: Committee

  6. 4 May 2017

    Reported

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-44.

    Source: Committee

  7. 25 May 2017

    Passed

    Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3190; text as passed Senate: CR S3192-3194)

    Source: Floor

  8. 25 May 2017

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S3190; text as passed Senate: CR S3192-3194)

    Source: Floor

  9. 26 May 2017

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.

    Source: Committee

  10. 26 May 2017

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

    Source: Committee

  11. 26 May 2017

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  12. 26 May 2017

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  13. 10 October 2017

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 562 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 585 with 1 hour of general debate. Bill is closed to amendments. The resolution provides for proceedings during the period from October 16, 2017, through October 20, 2017; and provides for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.

    Source: Floor

  14. 11 October 2017

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 562 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  15. 12 October 2017

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  16. 12 October 2017

    Vote

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 420 - 0 (Roll no. 568). (text: CR H7989)

    Source: Floor

  17. 12 October 2017

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 420 - 0 (Roll no. 568).(text: CR H7989)

    Source: Floor

  18. 12 October 2017

    Vote

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 190 - 232 (Roll no. 567).

    Source: Floor

  19. 12 October 2017

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of S. 585 with 1 hour of general debate. Bill is closed to amendments. The resolution provides for proceedings during the period from October 16, 2017, through October 20, 2017; and provides for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.

    Source: Floor

  20. 12 October 2017

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

    Source: Floor

  21. 12 October 2017

    Floor

    Mr. O'Halleran moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. (text: CR H8003)

    Source: Floor

  22. 12 October 2017

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  23. 12 October 2017

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 562. (consideration: CR H7998-8004)

    Source: Floor

  24. 24 October 2017

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  25. 24 October 2017

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  26. 26 October 2017

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 115-73.

    Source: President

  27. 26 October 2017

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  28. 26 October 2017

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

12 October 2017 · passed · On Passage · Passed · Official source

Yes 420 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 13

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

12 October 2017 · failed · On Motion to Recommit with Instructions · Failed · Official source

Yes 190 · No 232 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 11

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

16 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 26 October 2017

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 26 October 2017

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  • Public Law

    summary · EN · 26 October 2017

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  • Referred in House (text)

    Referred in House · EN · 26 May 2017

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  • Referred in House (PDF)

    Referred in House · EN · 26 May 2017

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  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 25 May 2017

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  • Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 25 May 2017

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  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 25 May 2017

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 4 May 2017

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 4 May 2017

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 4 May 2017

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 8 March 2017

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 8 March 2017

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 8 March 2017

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