Access to Classified Information Documents
Access to Classified Information



Federal Register, Volume 60 Issue 151 (Monday, August 7, 1995)

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 151 (Monday, August 7, 1995)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 40245-40254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-19654]
[[Page 40243]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part IV
The President
_______________________________________________________________________
 Executive Order 12968--Access to Classified Information
Presidential Determination No. 95-32 of July 28, 1995
Presidential Determination No. 95-33 of July 31, 1995
                        Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 151 / Monday, August 7, 1995 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 40245]]
                Executive Order 12968 of August 2, 1995
Access to Classified Information
                The national interest requires that certain information
                be maintained in confidence through a system of
                classification in order to protect our citizens, our
                democratic institutions, and our participation within
                the community of nations. The unauthorized disclosure
                of information classified in the national interest can
                cause irreparable damage to the national security and
                loss of human life.
                Security policies designed to protect classified
                information must ensure consistent, cost effective, and
                efficient protection of our Nation's classified
                information, while providing fair and equitable
                treatment to those Americans upon whom we rely to guard
                our national security.
                This order establishes a uniform Federal personnel
                security program for employees who will be considered
                for initial or continued access to classified
                information.
                NOW, THEREFORE, by the authority vested in me as
                President by the Constitution and the laws of the
                United States of America, it is hereby ordered as
                follows:
                PART 1--DEFINITIONS, ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION,
                FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE, AND OTHER ITEMS
                Section 1.1. Definitions. For the purposes of this
                order: (a) ``Agency'' means any ``Executive agency,''
                as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105, the ``military
                departments,'' as defined in 5 U.S.C. 102, and any
                other entity within the executive branch that comes
                into the possession of classified information,
                including the Defense Intelligence Agency, National
                Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance
                Office.
                    (b) ``Applicant'' means a person other than an
                employee who has received an authorized conditional
                offer of employment for a position that requires access
                to classified information.
                    (c) ``Authorized investigative agency'' means an
                agency authorized by law or regulation to conduct a
                counterintelligence investigation or investigation of
                persons who are proposed for access to classified
                information to ascertain whether such persons satisfy
                the criteria for obtaining and retaining access to such
                information.
                    (d) ``Classified information'' means information
                that has been determined pursuant to Executive Order
                No. 12958, or any successor order, Executive Order No.
                12951, or any successor order, or the Atomic Energy Act
                of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011), to require protection against
                unauthorized disclosure.
                    (e) ``Employee'' means a person, other than the
                President and Vice President, employed by, detailed or
                assigned to, an agency, including members of the Armed
                Forces; an expert or consultant to an agency; an
                industrial or commercial contractor, licensee,
                certificate holder, or grantee of an agency, including
                all subcontractors; a personal services contractor; or
                any other category of person who acts for or on behalf
                of an agency as determined by the appropriate agency
                head.
                    (f) ``Foreign power'' and ``agent of a foreign
                power'' have the meaning provided in 50 U.S.C. 1801.
[[Page 40246]]
                    (g) ``Need for access'' means a determination that
                an employee requires access to a particular level of
                classified information in order to perform or assist in
                a lawful and authorized governmental function.
                    (h) ``Need-to-know'' means a determination made by
                an authorized holder of classified information that a
                prospective recipient requires access to specific
                classified information in order to perform or assist in
                a lawful and authorized governmental function.
                    (i) ``Overseas Security Policy Board'' means the
                Board established by the President to consider,
                develop, coordinate and promote policies, standards and
                agreements on overseas security operations, programs
                and projects that affect all United States Government
                agencies under the authority of a Chief of Mission.
                    (j) ``Security Policy Board'' means the Board
                established by the President to consider, coordinate,
                and recommend policy directives for U.S. security
                policies, procedures, and practices.
                    (k) ``Special access program'' has the meaning
                provided in section 4.1 of Executive Order No. 12958,
                or any successor order.
                Sec. 1.2. Access to Classified Information. (a) No
                employee shall be granted access to classified
                information unless that employee has been determined to
                be eligible in accordance with this order and to
                possess a need-to-know.
                    (b) Agency heads shall be responsible for
                establishing and maintaining an effective program to
                ensure that access to classified information by each
                employee is clearly consistent with the interests of
                the national security.
                    (c) Employees shall not be granted access to
                classified information unless they:
                    (1) have been determined to be eligible for access
                under section 3.1 of this order by agency heads or
                designated officials based upon a favorable
                adjudication of an appropriate investigation of the
                employee's background;
                    (2) have a demonstrated need-to-know; and
                    (3) have signed an approved nondisclosure
                agreement.
                    (d) All employees shall be subject to investigation
                by an appropriate government authority prior to being
                granted access to classified information and at any
                time during the period of access to ascertain whether
                they continue to meet the requirements for access.
                    (e)(1) All employees granted access to classified
                information shall be required as a condition of such
                access to provide to the employing agency written
                consent permitting access by an authorized
                investigative agency, for such time as access to
                classified information is maintained and for a period
                of 3 years thereafter, to:
                    (A) relevant financial records that are maintained
                by a financial institution as defined in 31 U.S.C.
                5312(a) or by a holding company as defined in section
                1101(6) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978
                (12 U.S.C. 3401);
                    (B) consumer reports pertaining to the employee
                under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a);
                and
                    (C) records maintained by commercial entities
                within the United States pertaining to any travel by
                the employee outside the United States.
                    (2) Information may be requested pursuant to
                employee consent under this section where:
                    (A) there are reasonable grounds to believe, based
                on credible information, that the employee or former
                employee is, or may be, disclosing classified
                information in an unauthorized manner to a foreign
                power or agent of a foreign power;
                    (B) information the employing agency deems credible
                indicates the employee or former employee has incurred
                excessive indebtedness or has ac
[[Page 40247]]
                quired a level of affluence that cannot be explained by other
                information; or
                    (C) circumstances indicate the employee or former
                employee had the capability and opportunity to disclose
                classified information that is known to have been lost
                or compromised to a foreign power or an agent of a
                foreign power.
                    (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to
                affect the authority of an investigating agency to
                obtain information pursuant to the Right to Financial
                Privacy Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act or any other
                applicable law.
                Sec. 1.3. Financial Disclosure. (a) Not later than 180
                days after the effective date of this order, the head
                of each agency that originates, handles, transmits, or
                possesses classified information shall designate each
                employee, by position or category where possible, who
                has a regular need for access to classified information
                that, in the discretion of the agency head, would
                reveal:
                    (1) the identity of covert agents as defined in the
                Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 (50
                U.S.C. 421);
                    (2) technical or specialized national intelligence
                collection and processing systems that, if disclosed in
                an unauthorized manner, would substantially negate or
                impair the effectiveness of the system;
                    (3) the details of:
                    (A) the nature, contents, algorithm, preparation,
                or use of any code, cipher, or cryptographic system or;
                    (B) the design, construction, functioning,
                maintenance, or repair of any cryptographic equipment;
                but not including information concerning the use of
                cryptographic equipment and services;
                    (4) particularly sensitive special access programs,
                the disclosure of which would substantially negate or
                impair the effectiveness of the information or activity
                involved; or
                    (5) especially sensitive nuclear weapons design
                information (but only for those positions that have
                been certified as being of a high degree of importance
                or sensitivity, as described in section 145(f) of the
                Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended).
                    (b) An employee may not be granted access, or hold
                a position designated as requiring access, to
                information described in subsection (a) unless, as a
                condition of access to such information, the employee:
                    (1) files with the head of the agency a financial
                disclosure report, including information with respect
                to the spouse and dependent children of the employee,
                as part of all background investigations or
                reinvestigations;
                    (2) is subject to annual financial disclosure
                requirements, if selected by the agency head; and
                    (3) files relevant information concerning foreign
                travel, as determined by the Security Policy Board.
                    (c) Not later than 180 days after the effective
                date of this order, the Security Policy Board shall
                develop procedures for the implementation of this
                section, including a standard financial disclosure form
                for use by employees under subsection (b) of this
                section, and agency heads shall identify certain
                employees, by position or category, who are subject to
                annual financial disclosure.
                Sec. 1.4. Use of Automated Financial Record Data Bases.
                As part of all investigations and reinvestigations
                described in section 1.2(d) of this order, agencies may
                request the Department of the Treasury, under terms and
                conditions prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury,
                to search automated data bases consisting of reports of
                currency transactions by financial institutions,
                international transportation of currency or monetary
                instruments, foreign bank and financial accounts,
                transactions under $10,000 that are reported as
                possible money laundering violations, and records of
                foreign travel.
[[Page 40248]]
                Sec. 1.5. Employee Education and Assistance. The head
                of each agency that grants access to classified
                information shall establish a program for employees
                with access to classified information to: (a) educate
                employees about individual responsibilities under this
                order; and
                    (b) inform employees about guidance and assistance
                available concerning issues that may affect their
                eligibility for access to classified information,
                including sources of assistance for employees who have
                questions or concerns about financial matters, mental
                health, or substance abuse.
                PART 2--ACCESS ELIGIBILITY POLICY AND PROCEDURE
                Sec. 2.1. Eligibility Determinations. (a)
                Determinations of eligibility for access to classified
                information shall be based on criteria established
                under this order. Such determinations are separate from
                suitability determinations with respect to the hiring
                or retention of persons for employment by the
                government or any other personnel actions.
                    (b) The number of employees that each agency
                determines are eligible for access to classified
                information shall be kept to the minimum required for
                the conduct of agency functions.
                    (1) Eligibility for access to classified
                information shall not be requested or granted solely to
                permit entry to, or ease of movement within, controlled
                areas when the employee has no need for access and
                access to classified information may reasonably be
                prevented. Where circumstances indicate employees may
                be inadvertently exposed to classified information in
                the course of their duties, agencies are authorized to
                grant or deny, in their discretion, facility access
                approvals to such employees based on an appropriate
                level of investigation as determined by each agency.
                    (2) Except in agencies where eligibility for access
                is a mandatory condition of employment, eligibility for
                access to classified information shall only be
                requested or granted based on a demonstrated,
                foreseeable need for access. Requesting or approving
                eligibility in excess of actual requirements is
                prohibited.
                    (3) Eligibility for access to classified
                information may be granted where there is a temporary
                need for access, such as one-time participation in a
                classified project, provided the investigative
                standards established under this order have been
                satisfied. In such cases, a fixed date or event for
                expiration shall be identified and access to classified
                information shall be limited to information related to
                the particular project or assignment.
                    (4) Access to classified information shall be
                terminated when an employee no longer has a need for
                access.
                Sec. 2.2. Level of Access Approval. (a) The level at
                which an access approval is granted for an employee
                shall be limited, and relate directly, to the level of
                classified information for which there is a need for
                access. Eligibility for access to a higher level of
                classified information includes eligibility for access
                to information classified at a lower level.
                    (b) Access to classified information relating to a
                special access program shall be granted in accordance
                with procedures established by the head of the agency
                that created the program or, for programs pertaining to
                intelligence activities (including special activities
                but not including military operational, strategic, and
                tactical programs) or intelligence sources and methods,
                by the Director of Central Intelligence. To the extent
                possible and consistent with the national security
                interests of the United States, such procedures shall
                be consistent with the standards and procedures
                established by and under this order.
                Sec. 2.3 Temporary Access to Higher Levels. (a) An
                employee who has been determined to be eligible for
                access to classified information based on favorable
                adjudication of a completed investigation may be
                granted temporary access to a higher level where
                security personnel authorized by the agency head to
                make access eligibility determinations find that such
                access:
[[Page 40249]]
                    (1) is necessary to meet operational or contractual
                exigencies not expected to be of a recurring nature;
                    (2) will not exceed 180 days; and
                    (3) is limited to specific, identifiable
                information that is made the subject of a written
                access record.
                    (b) Where the access granted under subsection (a)
                of this section involves another agency's classified
                information, that agency must concur before access to
                its information is granted.
                Sec. 2.4. Reciprocal Acceptance of Access Eligibility
                Determinations. (a) Except when an agency has
                substantial information indicating that an employee may
                not satisfy the standards in section 3.1 of this order,
                background investi-gations and eligibility
                determinations conducted under this order shall be
                mutually and reciprocally accepted by all agencies.
                    (b) Except where there is substantial information
                indicating that the employee may not satisfy the
                standards in section 3.1 of this order, an employee
                with existing access to a special access program shall
                not be denied eligibility for access to another special
                access program at the same sensitivity level as
                determined personally by the agency head or deputy
                agency head, or have an existing access eligibility
                readjudicated, so long as the employee has a need for
                access to the information involved.
                    (c) This section shall not preclude agency heads
                from establishing additional, but not duplicative,
                investigative or adjudicative procedures for a special
                access program or for candidates for detail or
                assignment to their agencies, where such procedures are
                required in exceptional circumstances to protect the
                national security.
                    (d) Where temporary eligibility for access is
                granted under sections 2.3 or 3.3 of this order or
                where the determination of eligibility for access is
                conditional, the fact of such temporary or conditional
                access shall be conveyed to any other agency that
                considers affording the employee access to its
                information.
                Sec. 2.5. Specific Access Requirement. (a) Employees
                who have been determined to be eligible for access to
                classified information shall be given access to
                classified information only where there is a need-to-
                know that information.
                    (b) It is the responsibility of employees who are
                authorized holders of classified information to verify
                that a prospective recipient's eligibility for access
                has been granted by an authorized agency official and
                to ensure that a need-to-know exists prior to allowing
                such access, and to challenge requests for access that
                do not appear well-founded.
                Sec. 2.6. Access by Non-United States Citizens. (a)
                Where there are compelling reasons in furtherance of an
                agency mission, immigrant alien and foreign national
                employees who possess a special expertise may, in the
                discretion of the agency, be granted limited access to
                classified information only for specific programs,
                projects, contracts, licenses, certificates, or grants
                for which there is a need for access. Such individuals
                shall not be eligible for access to any greater level
                of classified information than the United States
                Govern-ment has determined may be releasable to the
                country of which the subject is currently a citizen,
                and such limited access may be approved only if the
                prior 10 years of the subject's life can be
                appropriately investigated. If there are any doubts
                concerning granting access, additional lawful
                investigative procedures shall be fully pursued.
                    (b) Exceptions to these requirements may be
                permitted only by the agency head or the senior agency
                official designated under section 6.1 of this order to
                further substantial national security interests.
                PART 3--ACCESS ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS
                Sec. 3.1. Standards. (a) No employee shall be deemed to
                be eligible for access to classified information merely
                by reason of Federal service or con
[[Page 40250]]
                tracting, licensee, certificate holder, or grantee status, or as a
                matter of right or privilege, or as a result of any
                particular title, rank, position, or affiliation.
                    (b) Except as provided in sections 2.6 and 3.3 of
                this order, eligibility for access to classified
                information shall be granted only to employees who are
                United States citizens for whom an appropriate
                investigation has been completed and whose personal and
                professional history affirmatively indicates loyalty to
                the United States, strength of character,
                trustworthiness, honesty, reliability, discretion, and
                sound judgment, as well as freedom from conflicting
                allegiances and potential for coercion, and willingness
                and ability to abide by regulations governing the use,
                handling, and protection of classified information. A
                determination of eligibility for access to such
                information is a discretionary security decision based
                on judgments by appropriately trained adjudicative
                personnel. Eligibility shall be granted only where
                facts and circumstances indicate access to classified
                information is clearly consistent with the national
                security interests of the United States, and any doubt
                shall be resolved in favor of the national security.
                    (c) The United States Government does not
                discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion,
                sex, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation
                in granting access to classified information.
                    (d) In determining eligibility for access under
                this order, agencies may investigate and consider any
                matter that relates to the determination of whether
                access is clearly consistent with the interests of
                national security. No inference concerning the
                standards in this section may be raised solely on the
                basis of the sexual orientation of the employee.
                    (e) No negative inference concerning the standards
                in this section may be raised solely on the basis of
                mental health counseling. Such counseling can be a
                positive factor in eligibility determinations. However,
                mental health counseling, where relevant to the
                adjudication of access to classified information, may
                justify further inquiry to determine whether the
                standards of subsection (b) of this section are
                satisfied, and mental health may be considered where it
                directly relates to those standards.
                    (f) Not later than 180 days after the effective
                date of this order, the Security Policy Board shall
                develop a common set of adjudicative guidelines for
                determining eligibility for access to classified
                information, including access to special access
                programs.
                Sec. 3.2. Basis for Eligibility Approval. (a)
                Eligibility determinations for access to classified
                information shall be based on information concerning
                the applicant or employee that is acquired through the
                investigation conducted pursuant to this order or
                otherwise available to security officials and shall be
                made part of the applicant's or employee's security
                record. Applicants or employees shall be required to
                provide relevant information pertaining to their
                background and character for use in investigating and
                adjudicating their eligibility for access.
                    (b) Not later than 180 days after the effective
                date of this order, the Security Policy Board shall
                develop a common set of investigative standards for
                background investigations for access to classified
                information. These standards may vary for the various
                levels of access.
                    (c) Nothing in this order shall prohibit an agency
                from utilizing any lawful investigative procedure in
                addition to the investigative requirements set forth in
                this order and its implementing regulations to resolve
                issues that may arise during the course of a background
                investigation or reinvestigation.
                Sec. 3.3. Special Circumstances. (a) In exceptional
                circumstances where official functions must be
                performed prior to the completion of the investigative
                and adjudication process, temporary eligibility for
                access to classified information may be granted to an
                employee while the initial investigation is underway.
                When such eligibility is granted, the initial
                investigation shall be expedited.
[[Page 40251]]
                    (1) Temporary eligibility for access under this
                section shall include a justification, and the employee
                must be notified in writing that further access is
                expressly conditioned on the favorable completion of
                the investigation and issuance of an access eligibility
                approval. Access will be immediately terminated, along
                with any assignment requiring an access eligibility
                approval, if such approval is not granted.
                    (2) Temporary eligibility for access may be granted
                only by security personnel authorized by the agency
                head to make access eligibility determinations and
                shall be based on minimum investigative standards
                developed by the Security Policy Board not later than
                180 days after the effective date of this order.
                    (3) Temporary eligibility for access may be granted
                only to particular, identified categories of classified
                information necessary to perform the lawful and
                authorized functions that are the basis for the
                granting of temporary access.
                    (b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed as
                altering the authority of an agency head to waive
                requirements for granting access to classified
                information pursuant to statutory authority.
                    (c) Where access has been terminated under section
                2.1(b)(4) of this order and a new need for access
                arises, access eligibility up to the same level shall
                be reapproved without further investigation as to
                employees who were determined to be eligible based on a
                favorable adjudication of an investigation completed
                within the prior 5 years, provided they have remained
                employed by the same employer during the period in
                question, the employee certifies in writing that there
                has been no change in the relevant information provided
                by the employee for the last background investigation,
                and there is no information that would tend to indicate
                the employee may no longer satisfy the standards
                established by this order for access to classified
                information.
                    (d) Access eligibility shall be reapproved for
                individuals who were determined to be eligible based on
                a favorable adjudication of an investigation completed
                within the prior 5 years and who have been retired or
                otherwise separated from United States Government
                employment for not more than 2 years; provided there is
                no indication the individual may no longer satisfy the
                standards of this order, the individual certifies in
                writing that there has been no change in the relevant
                information provided by the individual for the last
                background investigation, and an appropriate record
                check reveals no unfavorable information.
                Sec. 3.4. Reinvestigation Requirements. (a) Because
                circumstances and characteristics may change
                dramatically over time and thereby alter the
                eligibility of employees for continued access to
                classified information, reinvestigations shall be
                conducted with the same priority and care as initial
                investigations.
                    (b) Employees who are eligible for access to
                classified information shall be the subject of periodic
                reinvestigations and may also be reinvestigated if, at
                any time, there is reason to believe that they may no
                longer meet the standards for access established in
                this order.
                    (c) Not later than 180 days after the effective
                date of this order, the Security Policy Board shall
                develop a common set of reinvestigative standards,
                including the frequency of reinvestigations.
                PART 4--INVESTIGATIONS FOR FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS
                Sec. 4. Authority. Agencies that conduct background
                investigations, including the Federal Bureau of
                Investigation and the Department of State, are
                authorized to conduct personnel security investigations
                in the United States when requested by a foreign
                government as part of its own personnel security
                program and with the consent of the individual.
[[Page 40252]]
                PART 5--REVIEW OF ACCESS DETERMINATIONS
                Sec. 5.1. Determinations of Need for Access. A
                determination under section 2.1(b)(4) of this order
                that an employee does not have, or no longer has, a
                need for access is a discretionary determination and
                shall be conclusive.
                Sec. 5.2. Review Proceedings for Denials or Revocations
                of Eligibility for Access. (a) Applicants and employees
                who are determined to not meet the standards for access
                to classified information established in section 3.1 of
                this order shall be:
                    (1) provided as comprehensive and detailed a
                written explanation of the basis for that conclusion as
                the national security interests of the United States
                and other applicable law permit;
                    (2) provided within 30 days, upon request and to
                the extent the documents would be provided if requested
                under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) or
                the Privacy Act (3 U.S.C. 552a), as applicable, any
                documents, records, and reports upon which a denial or
                revocation is based;
                    (3) informed of their right to be represented by
                counsel or other representative at their own expense;
                to request any documents, records, and reports as
                described in section 5.2(a)(2) upon which a denial or
                revocation is based; and to request the entire
                investigative file, as permitted by the national
                security and other applicable law, which, if requested,
                shall be promptly provided prior to the time set for a
                written reply;
                    (4) provided a reasonable opportunity to reply in
                writing to, and to request a review of, the
                determination;
                    (5) provided written notice of and reasons for the
                results of the review, the identity of the deciding
                authority, and written notice of the right to appeal;
                    (6) provided an opportunity to appeal in writing to
                a high level panel, appointed by the agency head, which
                shall be comprised of at least three members, two of
                whom shall be selected from outside the security field.
                Decisions of the panel shall be in writing, and final
                except as provided in subsection (b) of this section;
                and
                    (7) provided an opportunity to appear personally
                and to present relevant documents, materials, and
                information at some point in the process before an
                adjudicative or other authority, other than the
                investigating entity, as determined by the agency head.
                A written summary or recording of such appearance shall
                be made part of the applicant's or employee's security
                record, unless such appearance occurs in the presence
                of the appeals panel described in subsection (a)(6) of
                this section.
                    (b) Nothing in this section shall prohibit an
                agency head from personally exercising the appeal
                authority in subsection (a)(6) of this section based
                upon recommendations from an appeals panel. In such
                case, the decision of the agency head shall be final.
                    (c) Agency heads shall promulgate regulations to
                implement this section and, at their sole discretion
                and as resources and national security considerations
                permit, may provide additional review proceedings
                beyond those required by subsection (a) of this
                section. This section does not require additional
                proceedings, however, and creates no procedural or
                substantive rights.
                    (d) When the head of an agency or principal deputy
                personally certifies that a procedure set forth in this
                section cannot be made available in a particular case
                without damaging the national security interests of the
                United States by revealing classified information, the
                particular procedure shall not be made available. This
                certification shall be conclusive.
                    (e) This section shall not be deemed to limit or
                affect the responsibility and power of an agency head
                pursuant to any law or other Executive order to deny or
                terminate access to classified information in the
                interests
[[Page 40253]]
                of national security. The power and responsibility to deny or terminate
                access to classified information pursuant to any law or
                other Executive order may be exercised only where the
                agency head determines that the procedures prescribed
                in subsection (a) of this section cannot be invoked in
                a manner that is consistent with national security.
                This determination shall be conclusive.
                    (f)(1) This section shall not be deemed to limit or
                affect the responsibility and power of an agency head
                to make determinations of suitability for employment.
                    (2) Nothing in this section shall require that an
                agency provide the procedures prescribed in subsection
                (a) of this section to an applicant where a conditional
                offer of employment is withdrawn for reasons of
                suitability or any other reason other than denial of
                eligibility for access to classified information.
                    (3) A suitability determination shall not be used
                for the purpose of denying an applicant or employee the
                review proceedings of this section where there has been
                a denial or revocation of eligibility for access to
                classified information.
                PART 6--IMPLEMENTATION
                Sec. 6.1. Agency Implementing Responsibilities. Heads
                of agencies that grant employees access to classified
                information shall: (a) designate a senior agency
                official to direct and administer the agency's
                personnel security program established by this order.
                All such programs shall include active oversight and
                continuing security education and awareness programs to
                ensure effective implementation of this order;
                    (b) cooperate, under the guidance of the Security
                Policy Board, with other agencies to achieve practical,
                consistent, and effective adjudicative training and
                guidelines; and
                    (c) conduct periodic evaluations of the agency's
                implementation and administration of this order,
                including the implementation of section 1.3(a) of this
                order. Copies of each report shall be provided to the
                Security Policy Board.
                Sec. 6.2. Employee Responsibilities. (a) Employees who
                are granted eligibility for access to classified
                information shall:
                    (1) protect classified information in their custody
                from unauthorized disclosure;
                    (2) report all contacts with persons, including
                foreign nationals, who seek in any way to obtain
                unauthorized access to classified information;
                    (3) report all violations of security regulations
                to the appropriate security officials; and
                    (4) comply with all other security requirements set
                forth in this order and its implementing regulations.
                    (b) Employees are encouraged and expected to report
                any information that raises doubts as to whether
                another employee's continued eligibility for access to
                classified information is clearly consistent with the
                national security.
                Sec. 6.3. Security Policy Board Responsibilities and
                Implementation. (a) With respect to actions taken by
                the Security Policy Board pursuant to sections 1.3(c),
                3.1(f), 3.2(b), 3.3(a)(2), and 3.4(c) of this order,
                the Security Policy Board shall make recommendations to
                the President through the Assistant to the President
                for National Security Affairs for implementation.
                    (b) Any guidelines, standards, or procedures
                developed by the Security Policy Board pursuant to this
                order shall be consistent with those guidelines issued
                by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in March 1994 on
                Background Investigations Policy/Guidelines Regarding
                Sexual Orientation.
[[Page 40254]]
                    (c) In carrying out its responsibilities under this
                order, the Security Policy Board shall consult where
                appropriate with the Overseas Security Policy Board. In
                carrying out its responsibilities under section 1.3(c)
                of this order, the Security Policy Board shall obtain
                the concurrence of the Director of the Office of
                Management and Budget.
                Sec. 6.4. Sanctions. Employees shall be subject to
                appropriate sanctions if they knowingly and willfully
                grant eligibility for, or allow access to, classified
                information in violation of this order or its
                implementing regulations. Sanctions may include
                reprimand, suspension without pay, removal, and other
                actions in accordance with applicable law and agency
                regulations.
                PART 7--GENERAL PROVISIONS
                Sec. 7.1. Classified Information Procedures Act.
                Nothing in this order is intended to alter the
                procedures established under the Classified Information
                Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App. 1).
                Sec. 7.2. General. (a) Information obtained by an
                agency under sections 1.2(e) or 1.3 of this order may
                not be disseminated outside the agency, except to:
                    (1) the agency employing the employee who is the
                subject of the records or information;
                    (2) the Department of Justice for law enforcement
                or counterintelligence purposes; or
                    (3) any agency if such information is clearly
                relevant to the authorized responsibilities of such
                agency.
                    (b) The Attorney General, at the request of the
                head of an agency, shall render an interpretation of
                this order with respect to any question arising in the
                course of its administration.
                    (c) No prior Executive orders are repealed by this
                order. To the extent that this order is inconsistent
                with any provision of any prior Executive order, this
                order shall control, except that this order shall not
                diminish or otherwise affect the requirements of
                Executive Order No. 10450, the denial and revocation
                procedures provided to individuals covered by Executive
                Order No. 10865, as amended, or access by historical
                researchers and former presidential appointees under
                Executive Order No. 12958 or any successor order.
                    (d) If any provision of this order or the
                application of such provision is held to be invalid,
                the remainder of this order shall not be affected.
                    (e) This Executive order is intended only to
                improve the internal management of the executive branch
                and is not intended to, and does not, create any right
                to administrative or judicial review, or any other
                right or benefit or trust responsibility, substantive
                or procedural, enforceable by a party against the
                United States, its agencies or instrumentalities, its
                officers or employees, or any other person.
                    (f) This order is effective immediately.
                    (Presidential Sig.)
                THE WHITE HOUSE,
                     August 2, 1995.
[FR Doc. 95-19654
Filed 8-4-95; 12:18 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P