95-19654. Access to Classified Information  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 151 (Monday, August 7, 1995)]
    [Presidential Documents]
    [Pages 40245-40254]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-19654]
    
    
    
    
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    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    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
    
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                    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. 
    
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                        (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
    
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                    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. 
    
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                    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: 
    
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                        (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
    
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                    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. 
    
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                        (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.
     
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                    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 
    
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                    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
    
    

Document Information

Published:
08/07/1995
Department:
Executive Office of the President
Entry Type:
Presidential Document
Document Type:
Executive Order
Document Number:
95-19654
Pages:
40245-40254 (10 pages)
EOCitation:
E.O. 12968 of 1995-08-02
EONotes:
Amended by: EO 13467, June 30, 2008;; ; See: Final rule of March 26, 1997 (62 FR 17683); Final rule of July 1, 1997 (62 FR 36984); EO 13284, January 23, 2003; EO 13311, July 29, 2003; EO 13462, February 29, 2008; EO 13516, October 28, 2009; EO 13539, April 21, 2010; EO 13549, August 18, 2010
PDF File:
95-19654.pdf