; or (2) in the case of a covered employee of an employing office described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 101(9), to refer information regarding an alleged violation of part A of title II to the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives or the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate (as the case may be). . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents is amended by amending the item relating to section 402 to read as follows: Sec. 402. Initiation of procedures. . 103. Availability of mediation during process (a) Availability of mediation Section 403(a) ( 2 U.S.C. 1403(a) ) is amended to read as follows: (a) Availability of mediation (1) In general Unless the covered employee who filed a claim under section 402 or the employing office named in the claim opts out of mediation by the deadline described in section 402(c)(2), the Office shall promptly assign a mediator to the claim, and conduct such mediation under this section. (2) Impact of decision A decision by a party to engage in or opt out of mediation as provided in this Act shall not be used for or against the party in any proceeding under this Act. . (b) Requiring parties To Be separated during mediation at request of employee Section 403(b)(2) ( 2 U.S.C. 1403(b)(2) ) is amended by striking meetings with the parties separately or jointly and inserting meetings with the parties during which, at the request of the covered employee, the parties shall be separated, . (c) Period of mediation Section 403(c) ( 2 U.S.C. 1403(c) ) is amended— (1) in the first sentence, by striking beginning on the date the request for mediation is received and inserting beginning on the first day after the deadline described in section 402(c)(2)