text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Homeland Security Professional 
  Development Act of 2006''.
  
  SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AT THE 
                DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
  
      (a) In General.--Title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
  U.S.C. 361 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 843 the 
  following:
  
  ``SEC. 844. HOMELAND SECURITY MENTORING PROGRAM.
  
      ``(a) Establishment.--
              ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
          of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish the 
          Homeland Security Mentoring Program (in this section referred 
          to as the `Mentoring Program') for employees of the Department. 
          The Mentoring Program shall use applicable best practices, 
          including those from the Chief Human Capital Officers Council.
              ``(2) Goals.--The Mentoring Program established by the 
          Secretary--
                      ``(A) shall be established in accordance with the 
                  Department Human Capital Strategic Plan;
                      ``(B) shall incorporate Department human capital 
                  strategic plans and activities, and address critical 
                  human capital deficiencies, recruitment and retention 
                  efforts, and succession planning within the Federal 
                  workforce of the Department;
                      ``(C) shall enable employees within the Department 
                  to share expertise, values, skills, resources, 
                  perspectives, attitudes and proficiencies to develop 
                  and foster a cadre of qualified employees and future 
                  leaders;
                      ``(D) shall incorporate clear learning goals, 
                  objectives, meeting schedules, and feedback processes 
                  that will help employees, managers, and executives 
                  enhance skills and knowledge of the Department while 
                  reaching professional and personal goals;
                      ``(E) shall enhance professional relationships, 
                  contacts, and networking opportunities among the 
                  employees of the Department;
                      ``(F) shall complement and incorporate (but not 
                  replace) mentoring and training programs within the 
                  Department in effect on the date of enactment of this 
                  section; and
                      ``(G) may promote cross-disciplinary mentoring and 
                  training opportunities that include provisions for 
                  intradepartmental rotational opportunities, in 
                  accordance with human capital goals and plans that 
                  foster a more diversified and effective Federal 
                  workforce of the Department.
              ``(3) Training leaders council.--
                      ``(A) Establishment.--The Training Leaders Council 
                  established by the Chief Human Capital Officer shall 
                  administer the Mentoring Program.
                      ``(B) Responsibilities.--The Training Leaders 
                  Council shall--
                              ``(i) provide oversight of the 
                          establishment and implementation of the 
                          Mentoring Program;
                              ``(ii) establish a framework that supports 
                          the goals of the Mentoring Program and promotes 
                          cross-disciplinary mentoring and training;
                              ``(iii) identify potential candidates to be 
                          mentors or mentees and select candidates for 
                          admission into the Mentoring Program;
                              ``(iv) formalize mentoring assignments 
                          within the Department;
                              ``(v) formulate individual development 
                          plans that reflect the needs of the Department, 
                          the mentor, and the mentee;
                              ``(vi) coordinate with mentoring programs 
                          in the Department in effect on the date of 
                          enactment of this section; and
                              ``(vii) establish target enrollment numbers 
                          for the size and scope of the Mentoring 
                          Program, under the human capital goals and 
                          plans of the Department.
              ``(4) Selection of participants for mentoring program.--
                      ``(A) In general.--The Mentoring Program shall 
                  consist of middle and senior level employees of the 
                  Department with significant experience who shall serve 
                  as mentors for junior and entry level employees and 
                  employees who are critical to Department succession 
                  plans and programs.
                      ``(B) Selection of mentors.--Mentors shall be 
                  employees who--
                              ``(i) understand the organization and 
                          culture of the Department;
                              ``(ii) understand the aims of mentoring in 
                          Federal public service;
                              ``(iii) are available and willing to spend 
                          time with the mentee, giving appropriate 
                          guidance and feedback;
                              ``(iv) enjoy helping others and are open-
                          minded, flexible, empathetic, and encouraging; 
                          and
                              ``(v) have very good communications skills, 
                          and stimulate the thinking and reflection of 
                          mentees.
                      ``(C) Selection of mentees.--Mentees shall be 
                  motivated employees who possess potential for future 
                  leadership and management roles within the Department.
              ``(5) Roles and responsibilities of participants in the 
          mentoring program.--
                      ``(A) Mentors.--
                              ``(i) Role.--A mentor shall serve as a 
                          model, motivator, and counselor to a mentee.
                              ``(ii) Limitation.--Any person who is the 
                          immediate supervisor of an employee and 
                          evaluates the performance of that employee may 
                          not be a mentor to that employee under the 
                          Mentor Program.
                              ``(iii) Responsibilities.--The 
                          responsibilities of a mentor may include--
                                      ``(I) helping the mentee set short-
                                  term learning objectives and long-term 
                                  career goals;
                                      ``(II) helping the mentee 
                                  understand the organizational culture 
                                  of the Department;
                                      ``(III) recommending or creating 
                                  learning opportunities;
                                      ``(IV) providing informal education 
                                  and training in areas such as 
                                  communication, critical thinking, 
                                  responsibility, flexibility, and 
                                  teamwork; and
                                      ``(V) pointing out the strengths 
                                  and areas for development of the 
                                  mentee.
                      ``(B) Mentees.--The responsibilities of the mentee 
                  may include--
                              ``(i) defining short-term learning 
                          objectives and long-term career goals;
                              ``(ii) participating in learning 
                          opportunities to broaden knowledge of the 
                          Department; and
                              ``(iii) participating in professional 
                          opportunities to improve a particular career 
                          area, develop an area of technical expertise, 
                          grow professionally, and expand leadership 
                          abilities.
              ``(6) Reporting.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
          the establishment of the Mentoring Program, the Secretary shall 
          submit a report on the status of the Mentoring Program and 
          enrollment, including the number of mentors and mentees in each 
          component of the Department and how the Mentoring Program is 
          being used in succession planning and leadership development 
          to--
                      ``(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
                  Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
                      ``(B) the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
                  House of Representatives; and
                      ``(C) the Committee on Government Reform of the 
                  House of Representatives.
  
  ``SEC. 845. HOMELAND SECURITY ROTATION PROGRAM.
  
      ``(a) Establishment.--
              ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
          of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish the 
          Homeland Security Rotation Program (in this section referred to 
          as the `Rotation Program') for employees of the Department. The 
          Rotation Program shall use applicable best practices, including 
          those from the Chief Human Capital Officers Council.
              ``(2) Goals.--The Rotation Program established by the 
          Secretary shall--
                      ``(A) be established in accordance with the 
                  Department Human Capital Strategic Plan;
                      ``(B) provide middle level employees in the 
                  Department the opportunity to broaden their knowledge 
                  through exposure to other components of the Department;
                      ``(C) expand the knowledge base of the Department 
                  by providing for rotational assignments of employees to 
                  other components;
                      ``(D) build professional relationships and contacts 
                  among the employees in the Department;
                      ``(E) invigorate the workforce with exciting and 
                  professionally rewarding opportunities;
                      ``(F) incorporate Department human capital 
                  strategic plans and activities, and address critical 
                  human capital deficiencies, recruitment and retention 
                  efforts, and succession planning within the Federal 
                  workforce of the Department; and
                      ``(G) complement and incorporate (but not replace) 
                  rotational programs within the Department in effect on 
                  the date of enactment of this section.
              ``(3) Training leaders council.--
                      ``(A) In general.--The Training Leaders Council 
                  established by the Chief Human Capital Officer shall 
                  administer the Rotation Program.
                      ``(B) Responsibilities.--The Training Leaders 
                  Council shall--
                              ``(i) provide oversight of the 
                          establishment and implementation of the 
                          Rotation Program;
                              ``(ii) establish a framework that supports 
                          the goals of the Rotation Program and promotes 
                          cross-disciplinary rotational opportunities;
                              ``(iii) establish eligibility for employees 
                          to participate in the Rotation Program and 
                          select participants from employees who apply;
                              ``(iv) establish incentives for employees 
                          to participate in the Rotation Program, 
                          including promotions and employment 
                          preferences;
                              ``(v) ensure that the Rotation Program 
                          provides professional education and training;
                              ``(vi) ensure that the Rotation Program 
                          develops qualified employees and future leaders 
                          with broad-based experience throughout the 
                          Department;
                              ``(vii) provide for greater interaction 
                          among employees in components of the 
                          Department; and
                              ``(viii) coordinate with rotational 
                          programs within the Department in effect on the 
                          date of enactment of this section.
              ``(4) Allowances, privileges, and benefits.--All 
          allowances, privileges, rights, seniority, and other benefits 
          of employees participating in the Rotation Program shall be 
          preserved.
              ``(5) Reporting.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
          the establishment of the Rotation Program, the Secretary shall 
          submit a report on the status of the Rotation Program, 
          including a description of the Rotation Program, the number of 
          employees participating, and how the Rotation Program is used 
          in succession planning and leadership development to--
                      ``(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
                  Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
                      ``(B) the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
                  House of Representatives; and
                      ``(C) the Committee on Government Reform of the 
                  House of Representatives.''.
      (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 1(b) of the 
  Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101) is amended by inserting 
  after the item relating to section 843 the following:
  
  ``Sec. 844. Homeland Security Mentoring Program.
  ``Sec. 845. Homeland Security Rotation Program.''.
  
  SEC. 3. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
  
      (a) In General.--Chapter 41 of title 5, United States Code is 
  amended by adding at the end the following:
  
  ``SEC. 4122. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
  
      ``The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall report 
  annually to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
  of the Senate and the Committee on Government Reform of the House of 
  Representatives on the training, mentoring, and succession plans and 
  programs of Federal agencies, including the number of participants, the 
  structure of the programs, and how participants are used for leadership 
  development and succession planning programs.''.
      (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for 
  chapter 41 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
  after the item relating to section 4121 the following:
  
  ``4122.  Reports to Congress.''.
  
  SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
  
      There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as necessary to 
  carry out this Act.
target: Homeland Security Professional Development Act of 2006 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish: (1) the Homeland Security Mentoring Program for DHS employees, the goals of which shall include addressing critical human capital deficiencies, recruitment and retention efforts, and succession planning and promoting cross-disciplinary mentoring and training opportunities; and (2) the Homeland Security Rotation Program to provide middle level DHS employees the opportunity to broaden their knowledge through exposure to other DHS components. Requires such programs to be: (1) established in accordance with DHS's Human Capital Strategic Plan; and (2) administered by the Training Leaders Council (established by the Chief Human Capital Officer).
  
  Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to report annually to specified congressional committees on the training, mentoring, and succession plans and programs of federal agencies.
feat_title: to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish employee professional development programs at the Department of Homeland Security.