Mandatory mediation of claims at request of covered employee

(a) Mandatory mediation Section 404(a)(2) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1404(a)(2)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking the second sentence; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (C) Conduct of mediation The Office shall promptly assign a mediator to the claim, and conduct mediation under this section, if— (i) the employing office files a request for mediation and the covered employee agrees to the request; or (ii) the covered employee files a request for mediation.. (b) Conforming amendment relating to commencement of mediation period Section 404(c) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 1404(c)) is amended by striking beginning on the first day after the second party agrees to the request for the mediation and inserting the following: beginning on the first day after the covered employee files the request for the mediation or, if the employing office files the request for the mediation, beginning on the first day after the covered employee agrees to the request. (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to claims filed under title IV of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.