§4107. Restriction on degree training

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this chapter does not authorize the selection and assignment of an employee for training, or the payment or reimbursement of the costs of training, for-

(1) the purpose of providing an opportunity to an employee to obtain an academic degree in order to qualify for appointment to a particular position for which the academic degree is a basic requirement; or

(2) the sole purpose of providing an opportunity to an employee to obtain one or more academic degrees.

(b)(1) The regulations prescribed under section 4118 of this title shall include provisions under which the head of an agency may provide training, or payment or reimbursement for the costs of any training, not otherwise allowable under subsection (a) of this section, if necessary to assist in the recruitment or retention of employees in occupations in which the Government has or anticipates a shortage of qualified personnel, especially in occupations involving critical skills (as defined under such regulations).

(2) In exercising any authority under this subsection, an agency shall, consistent with the merit system principles set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 2301(b) of this title, take into consideration the need to maintain a balanced workforce in which women and members of racial and ethnic minority groups are appropriately represented in Government service.

(3) No authority under this subsection may be exercised on behalf of any employee occupying or seeking to qualify for appointment to any position which is excepted from the competitive service because of its confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character.

( Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 435 ; Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title XII, §1206(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1659 ; Pub. L. 103–226, §2(a)(5), Mar. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 112 .)

The prohibitions are restated in positive form.

In subsection (a)(2), the words "Executive order" are substituted for "Executive orders of the President".

In subsection (c), the words "under authority of this chapter" and "by the Government" are omitted as unnecessary.

Standard changes are made to conform with the definitions applicable and the style of this title as outlined in the preface to the report.

Amendments

1994-Pub. L. 103–226, §2(a)(5)(A), substituted "Restriction on degree training" for "Non-Government facilities; restrictions" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–226, §2(a)(5)(B), (C), redesignated subsec. (c) as (a), in introductory provisions substituted "subsection (b)" for "subsection (d)" and struck out "by, in, or through a non-Government facility" after "employee for training", and struck out former subsec. (a) which read as follows: "Appropriations or other funds available to an agency are not available for payment for training an employee-

"(1) by, in or through a non-Government facility which teaches or advocates the overthrow of the Government of the United States by force or violence; or

"(2) by or through an individual concerning whom determination has been made by a proper Government administrative or investigatory authority that, on the basis of information or evidence developed in investigations and procedures authorized by law or Executive order, there exists a reasonable doubt of his loyalty to the United States."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–226, §2(a)(5)(B), (D), redesignated subsec. (d) as (b), substituted "subsection (a)" for "subsection (c)" in par. (1), and struck out former subsec. (b) which read as follows: "This chapter does not authorize training an employee by, in, or through a non-Government facility a substantial part of the activities of which is-

"(1) carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation; or

"(2) participating or intervening, including publishing or distributing statements, in a political campaign on behalf of a candidate for public office."

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 103–226, §2(a)(5)(B), redesignated subsecs. (c) and (d) as (a) and (b), respectively.

1990-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–510, §1206(a)(1), substituted "Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, this" for "This" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–510, §1206(a)(2), added subsec. (d).

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 3381 of this title; title 10 section 1745.