POST Act of 2025 (H.R. 3425)

Summary

Creates new rules for the Federal Protective Service to better watch over and track the private security guards who protect federal buildings.

What problem does this solve?

Current systems for managing private security guards at federal buildings have weaknesses, leading to potential security gaps and staff shortages. This bill requires the Federal Protective Service to create better training, testing, and tracking systems to ensure guards are effective and buildings are safe.

What does this bill do?

Strengthens oversight of security guards

Requires the Director of the Federal Protective Service to create new processes to improve the supervision, performance, and accountability of private security guards at federal buildings.

Improves secret security testing

Establishes clear standards for how secret security tests (covert testing) are done and analyzed. This helps find security weaknesses and the reasons for test failures more effectively.

Requires retraining for failed tests

Makes security companies create a mandatory training plan for any guard who fails a secret security test. This ensures that guards learn from their mistakes and avoid future failures.

Evaluates the guard tracking system

Orders a full review of the computer system used to track security guard assignments and availability. The goal is to decide whether to fix the current system or replace it with a better one.

Improves communication about guard shortages

Creates new rules to make sure people working in federal buildings are told in a timely way when there are not enough security guards on duty.

Requires reports to Congress

Directs the Federal Protective Service to send yearly reports to Congress about the progress made in improving security oversight and updating the personnel tracking system.

Clarifies guards are not federal employees

States that private security guards hired to protect federal property are not to be considered employees of the federal government.

Who does this affect?

Contract security personnel
Federal Protective Service
Federal employees and visitors in GSA buildings

What is the real world impact?

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Improves security at federal buildings

Strengthens security at government facilities by fixing known problems with private security guards. It requires better testing, training, and staff tracking to prevent security failures and make sure buildings are properly protected.

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Maintains use of private contractors

Reinforces the government's reliance on private security companies instead of federal employees. The bill explicitly states that contract guards are not federal workers, which avoids debates about the costs and benefits of privatizing security functions.

When does this start?

This bill sets several deadlines for different actions that begin after it becomes law.

Evaluate personnel tracking system

Within 180 days of the bill becoming law, the Federal Protective Service must complete a full review of its system for tracking security guards.

Establish new oversight processes

Within one year of the bill becoming law, the Federal Protective Service must create new processes for overseeing contract security guards.

First report on tracking system

Within one year of the bill becoming law, the first report on the personnel tracking system must be sent to Congress.