((a)) ** Definitions** In this section, the terms “agency”, “criminal history record information”, and “suspension” have the meanings given the terms in , except as otherwise modified by this section.section 9201 of title 5

((b)) ** Restrictions on criminal history inquiries**

((1)) ** In general**

((A)) ** In general** Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an employee of an employing office may not request that an applicant for employment as a covered employee disclose criminal history record information if the request would be prohibited under if made by an employee of an agency.section 9202 of title 5

((B)) ** Conditional offer** For purposes of applying that section 9202 under subparagraph (A), a reference in that section 9202 to a conditional offer shall be considered to be an offer of employment as a covered employee that is conditioned upon the results of a criminal history inquiry.

((2)) ** Rules of construction** The provisions of shall apply to employing offices, consistent with regulations issued under subsection (d).section 9206 of title 5

((c)) ** Remedy**

((1)) ** In general** The remedy for a violation of subsection (b)(1) shall be such remedy as would be appropriate if awarded under if the violation had been committed by an employee of an agency, consistent with regulations issued under subsection (d), except that the reference in that section to a suspension shall be considered to be a suspension with the level of compensation provided for a covered employee who is taking unpaid leave under .section 9204 of title 5section 1312 of this title

((2)) ** Process for obtaining relief** An applicant for employment as a covered employee who alleges a violation of subsection (b)(1) may rely on the provisions of subchapter IV (other than section 1407 or 1408 of this title, or a provision of this subchapter that permits a person to obtain a civil action or judicial review), consistent with regulations issued under subsection (d).

((d)) ** Regulations to implement section**

((1)) ** In general** Not later than 18 months after , the Board shall, pursuant to , issue regulations to implement this section.section 1384 of this titleDecember 20, 20192019-12-20

((2)) ** Parallel with agency regulations** The regulations issued under paragraph (1) shall be the same as substantive regulations issued by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management under section 2(b)(1) of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019  to implement the statutory provisions referred to in subsections (a) through (c) except to the extent that the Board may determine, for good cause shown and stated together with the regulation, that a modification of such regulations would be more effective for the implementation of the rights and protections under this section.1

((e)) ** Effective date** and subsections (a) through (c) shall take effect on the date on which applies with respect to agencies.Section 1302(a)(12) of this titlesection 9202 of title 5