Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Reopening to address Every COmplete Record request for Devoted Servicemembers Act of 2021” or the “RECORDS Act of 2021” .
Reopening to address Every COmplete Record request for Devoted Servicemembers Act of 2021
A BILL
To direct the Archivist of the United States to address certain record request backlogs, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 National Personnel Records Center backlog reduction
Staffing levels— Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Archivist of the United States shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure—
the number of individuals employed by the National Personnel Records Center is equal to or exceeds the number of such individuals employed on March 2, 2020; and
the percentage of such individuals regularly reporting to work in person is equal to or exceeds the percentage of such individuals regularly reporting to work in person on March 2, 2020.
Comprehensive plan—
In general— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Archivist of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that—
provides a comprehensive plan to address the record request backlog of the National Personnel Records Center and improve the efficiency and responsiveness of operations at the Center;
identifies measurable goals with respect to the comprehensive plan and metrics for tracking progress toward such goals; and
describes strategies to prevent future record request backlogs, including backlogs caused by an event that prevents employees of the Center from reporting to work in person.
Updates— Not later than 90 days after submission of the report required under paragraph (1) and quarterly thereafter, the Archivist of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an update of such report that—
describes progress made by the National Personnel Records Center during the preceding 90-day period with respect to record request backlog reduction and efficiency and responsiveness improvement;
provides data on progress made toward the goals identified in such report; and
describes any changes made to the comprehensive plan provided in such report.
Consultation requirement— In carrying out this subsection, the Archivist of the United States shall consult with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on best practices for reducing record request backlogs.
Appropriate congressional committees defined— In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
in the House of Representatives—
the Committee on Oversight and Reform; and
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs; and
in the Senate—
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.