PUBLIC LAW 107-296—NOV. 25, 2002 116 STAT. 2299 "(2) is part of a planned, systemic, and coordinated agency employee development program linked to accomplishing the strategic goals of the agency; and "(3) is accredited and is provided by a college or university that is accredited by a nationally recognized body. "(b) In exercising authority under subsection (a), an agency shall— "(1) consistent with the merit system principles set forth in paragraphs (2) and (7) of section 2301(b), take into consideration the need to— "(A) maintain a b,alanced workforce in which women, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, and persons with disabilities are appropriately represented in Government service; and "(B) provide employees effective education and training to improve organizational and individual performance; "(2) assure that the training is not for the sole purpose of providing an employee an opportunity to obtain an academic degree or qualify for appointment to a particular position for • which the academic degree is a basic requirement; "(3) assure that no authority under this subsection is exercised on behalf of any employee occupying or seeking to qualify for— "(A) a noncareer appointment in the senior Executive Service; or "(B) appointment to any position that is excepted from the competitive service because of its confidential policy- determining, policy-making or policy-advocating character; and "(4) to the greatest extent practicable, facilitate the use of online degree training.". (b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for chapter 41 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 4107 and inserting the following: "4107. Academic degree training.". SEC. 1332. MODIFICATIONS TO NATIONAL SECURITY EDUCATION PRO- 5 USC 3301 note. GRAM. (a) FINDINGS AND POLICIES. — (1) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— - (A) the United States Government actively encourages and financially supports the training, education, and development of many United States citizens; (B) as a condition of some of those supports, many of those citizens have an obligation to seek either compensated or uncompensated employment in the Federal sector; and (C) it is in the United States national interest to maximize the return to the Nation of funds invested in the development of such citizens by seeking to employ them in the Federal sector. (2) POLICY.— It shall be the policy of the United States Government to— (A) establish procedures for ensuring that United States citizens who have incurred service obligations as the result of receiving financial support for education and
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