PREP Act

This bill would shorten the probation period for new federal employees. That means new hires would gain full job protections sooner. It also sets a probation rule for “excepted service” jobs (certain federal positions that don’t use the standard hiring system) under a new section 3330g of title 5. In plain terms, agencies would need to decide faster whether to keep or let go a new hire, and employees would get full rights sooner if they stay.

Key points:

• Who is affected: People newly hired into federal jobs, including many “excepted service” positions.
• What changes: The probation period is reduced, so employees reach full protections sooner; agencies must make retention decisions earlier.
• Where in law: Amends title 5 of the U.S. Code and adds a section on excepted service probation (3330g).