,,ii #aad? ,,congress #a/ ,session ,s4 #bbia ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates ,novemb] #ag1 #bjae ,mr4 ,kirk 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,blum5?al1 ,mr4 ,grassley1 ,mrs4 ,gillibr&1 ,mr4 ,johnson1 ,ms4 ,baldw91 & ,mr4 ,rubio7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to am5d title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to e/abli% proc$ures )9 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs = ! process+ ( :i/lebl[] compla9ts1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,,va ,pati5t ,protection ,act ( #bjae4 #b4 ,treatm5t ( :i/lebl[] compla9ts 9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7a7 ,proc$ure & adm9i/ration 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] #g ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new sub*apt]3 ,,ii ,:i/lebl[] compla9ts #gca4 ,:i/lebl[] compla9t def9$ ,9 ?is sub*apt]1 ! t]m :i/lebl[] compla9t means a compla9t by an employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t disclos+1 or assi/+ ano!r employee to disclose1 a pot5tial violation ( any law1 rule1 or regulation1 or gross mismanagem5t1 gross wa/e ( funds1 abuse ( au?ority1 or sub/antial & specific dang] to public heal? & safety4 #gcb4 ,treatm5t ( :i/lebl[] compla9ts 7a7 ,fil+ 7#a7 ,9 addition to any o!r me?od e/abli%$ by law 9 :i* an employee may file a :i/lebl[] compla9t1 an employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t may file a :i/lebl[] compla9t 9 accordance ) subsection 7g7 ) a sup]visor ( ! employee4 7#b7 ,except z provid$ by subsection 7d77#a71 9 mak+ a :i/lebl[] compla9t "u p>agraph 7#a71 an employee %all file ! initial compla9t ) ! imm$iate sup]visor ( ! employee4 7b7 ,notification 7#a7 7,a7 ,n lat] ?an f\r bus9ess days aft] ! date on :i* a sup]visor receives a :i/lebl[] compla9t by an employee "u ?is section1 ! sup]visor %all notify1 9 writ+1 ! employee ( :e!r ! sup]visor det]m9es t !re is a reasonable likelihood t ! compla9t discloses a violation ( any law1 rule1 or regulation1 or gross mismanagem5t1 gross wa/e ( funds1 abuse ( au?ority1 or sub/antial & specific dang] to public heal? & safety4 7,b7 ,! sup]visor %all reta9 writt5 docum5tation reg>d+ ! :i/lebl[] compla9t & %all submit to ! next-level sup]visor & ! c5tral :i/lebl[] (fice describ$ 9 subsection 7h7 a writt5 report on ! compla9t4 7#b7 7,a7 ,on a mon?ly basis1 ! sup]visor %all submit to ! appropriate director or o!r (ficial :o is sup]ior to ! sup]visor a writt5 report t includes ! numb] ( :i/lebl[] compla9ts receiv$ by ! sup]visor "u ?is section dur+ ! mon? cov]$ by ! report1 ! disposition ( su* compla9ts1 & any actions tak5 because ( su* compla9ts pursuant to subsection 7c74 7,b7 ,9 ! case 9 :i* su* a director or (ficial c>ries out ?is p>agraph1 ! director or (ficial %all submit su* mon?ly report to ! sup]visor ( ! director or (ficial & to ! c5tral :i/lebl[] (fice describ$ 9 subsection 7h74 7c7 ,positive det]m9ation ,if a sup]visor makes a positive det]m9ation "u subsection 7b77#a7 reg>d+ a :i/lebl[] compla9t ( an employee1 ! sup]visor %all include 9 ! notification to ! employee "u su* subsection ! specific actions t ! sup]visor w take to address ! compla9t4 7d7 ,fil+ compla9t ) next-,level sup]visors 7#a7 ,if any circum/ance describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#c7 is met1 an employee may file a :i/lebl[] compla9t 9 accordance ) subsection 7g7 ) ! next-level sup]visor :o %all treat su* compla9t 9 accordance ) ?is section4 7#b7 ,an employee may file a :i/lebl[] compla9t ) ! ,secret>y if ! employee has fil$ ! :i/lebl[] compla9t to ea* level ( sup]visors betwe5 ! employee & ! ,secret>y 9 accordance ) p>agraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,a circum/ance describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph is any ( ! foll[+ circum/ances3 7,a7 ,a sup]visor does n make a timely det]m9ation "u subsection 7b77#a7 reg>d+ a :i/lebl[] compla9t4 7,b7 ,! employee :o made a :i/lebl[] compla9t det]m9es t ! sup]visor did n adequately address ! compla9t pursuant to subsection 7c74 7,c7 ,! imm$iate sup]visor ( ! employee is ! basis ( ! :i/lebl[] compla9t4 7e7 ,transf] ( employee :o files :i/lebl[] compla9t ,if a sup]visor makes a positive det]m9ation "u subsection 7b77#a7 reg>d+ a :i/lebl[] compla9t fil$ by an employee1 ! ,secret>y %all-- 7#a7 in=m ! employee ( ! ability to volunte] = a transf] 9 accordance ) section #cceb ( title #e2 & 7#b7 give pref]5ce to ! employee = su* a transf] 9 accordance ) su* section4 7f7 ,prohibition on exemption ,! ,secret>y may n exempt any employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t f be+ cov]$ by ?is section4 7g7 ,:i/lebl[] compla9t =m 7#a7 ,a :i/lebl[] compla9t fil$ by an employee "u subsection 7a7 or 7d7 %all consi/ ( ! =m describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 & any support+ mat]ials or docum5tation ! employee det]m9es necess>y4 7#b7 ,! =m describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph is a =m develop$ by ! ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) ! ,special ,c\nsel1 t includes ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,an explanation ( ! purpose ( ! :i/lebl[] compla9t =m4 7,b7 ,in/ructions = fil+ a :i/lebl[] compla9t z describ$ 9 ?is section4 7,c7 ,an explanation t fil+ a :i/lebl[] compla9t "u ?is section does n preclude ! employee f any o!r me?od e/abli%$ by law 9 :i* an employee may file a :i/lebl[] compla9t4 7,d7 ,a /atem5t direct+ ! employee to in=mation accessible on ! ,int]net website ( ! ,dep>tm5t z describ$ 9 section #gce7;d74 7,e7 ,fields = ! employee to provide-- 7i7 ! date t ! =m is submitt$2 7ii7 ! "n ( ! employee2 7iii7 ! contact in=mation ( ! employee2 7iv7 a summ>y ( ! :i/lebl[] compla9t 7includ+ ! option to app5d support+ docum5ts pursuant to p>agraph 7#a772 & 7v7 propos$ solutions to ! compla9t4 7,f7 ,any o!r in=mation or fields t ! ,secret>y det]m9es appropriate4 7#c7 ,! ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) ! ,special ,c\nsel1 %all develop ! =m describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 by n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is section4 7h7 ,c5tral :i/lebl[] (fice 7#a7 ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t ! c5tral :i/lebl[] (fice-- 7,a7 is n an elem5t ( ! ,(fice ( ! ,g5]al ,c\nsel2 7,b7 is n head$ by an (ficial :o reports to ! ,g5]al ,c\nsel2 7,c7 does n provide1 or receive f1 ! ,g5]al ,c\nsel any in=mation reg>d+ a :i/lebl[] compla9t except pursuant to an action reg>d+ ! compla9t be=e an adm9i/rative body or c\rt2 & 7,d7 does n provide advice to ! ,g5]al ,c\nsel4 7#b7 ,! c5tral :i/lebl[] (fice %all be responsible = inve/igat+ all :i/lebl[] compla9ts ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 reg>dless ( :e!r su* compla9ts are made by or aga9/ an employee :o is n a memb] ( ! ,s5ior ,executive ,s]vice4 7#c7 ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t ! c5tral :i/lebl[] (fice ma9ta9s a toll-free hotl9e to anonym\sly receive :i/lebl[] compla9ts4 7#d7 ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t ! c5tral :i/lebl[] (fice has su* /aff & res\rces z ! ,secret>y consid]s necess>y to c>ry out ! functions ( ! c5tral :i/lebl[] (fice4 7#e7 ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m c5tral :i/lebl[] (fice means ! ,(fice ( ,acc\ntability ,review or a successor (fice t is e/abli%$ or designat$ by ! ,secret>y to inve/igate :i/lebl[] compla9ts fil$ "u ?is section or any o!r me?od e/abli%$ by law4 #gcc4 ,adv]se actions aga9/ sup]visory employees :o commit prohibit$ p]sonnel actions relat+ to :i/lebl[] compla9ts 7a7 ,9 g5]al 7#a7 ,9 accordance ) p>agraph 7#b71 ! ,secret>y %all c>ry out ! foll[+ adv]se actions aga9/ sup]visory employees 7z def9$ 9 section #gajc7;a7 ( title #e7 :om ! ,secret>y1 an adm9i/rative judge1 ! ,m]it ,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d1 ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel1 an adjudicat+ body provid$ "u a union contract1 a ,f$]al judge1 or ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t det]m9es committ$ a prohibit$ p]sonnel action describ$ 9 subsection 7c73 7,a7 ,) respect to ! fir/ (f5se1 an adv]se action t is n less ?an a #ab-;day susp5sion & n m ?an removal4 7,b7 ,) respect to ! second (f5se1 removal4 7#b7 7,a7 ,an employee aga9/ :om an adv]se action "u p>agraph 7#a7 is propos$ is entitl$ to writt5 notice4 7,b7 7i7 ,an employee :o is notifi$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 ( be+ ! subject ( a propos$ adv]se action "u p>agraph 7#a7 is entitl$ to #ad days foll[+ su* notification to answ] & furni% evid5ce 9 support ( ! answ]4 7ii7 ,if ! employee does n furni% any su* evid5ce z describ$ 9 clause 7i7 or if ! ,secret>y det]m9es t su* evid5ce is n suffici5t to rev]se ! det]m9ation to propose ! adv]se action1 ! ,secret>y %all c>ry out ! adv]se action foll[+ su* #ad-;day p]iod4 7,c7 ,p>agraphs 7#a7 & 7#b7 ( subsection 7b7 ( section #geac ( title #e1 subsection 7c7 ( su* section1 p>agraphs 7#a7 & 7#b7 ( subsection 7b7 ( section #gedc ( su* title1 & subsection 7c7 ( su* section %all n apply ) respect to an adv]se action c>ri$ out "u p>agraph 7#a74 7b7 ,limitation on o!r adv]se actions ,) respect to a prohibit$ p]sonnel action describ$ 9 subsection 7c71 if ! ,secret>y c>ries out an adv]se action aga9/ a sup]visory employee1 ! ,secret>y may c>ry out an additional adv]se action "u ?is section bas$ on ! same prohibit$ p]sonnel action if ! total sev]ity ( ! adv]se actions d n exce$ ! level specifi$ 9 subsection 7a74 7c7 ,prohibit$ p]sonnel action describ$ ,a prohibit$ p]sonnel action describ$ 9 ?is subsection is any ( ! foll[+ actions3 7#a7 ,tak+ or fail+ to take a p]sonnel action 9 violation ( section #bcjb ( title #e aga9/ an employee relat+ to ! employee-- 7,a7 fil+ a :i/lebl[] compla9t 9 accordance ) section #gcb ( ?is title2 7,b7 fil+ a :i/lebl[] compla9t ) ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 ! ,special ,c\nsel1 or ,congress2 7,c7 provid+ in=mation or p>ticipat+ z a witness 9 an inve/igation ( a :i/lebl[] compla9t 9 accordance ) section #gcb or ) ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 ! ,special ,c\nsel1 or ,congress2 7,d7 p>ticipat+ 9 an audit or inve/igation by ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 7,e7 refus+ to p]=m an action t is unlawful or prohibit$ by ! ,dep>tm5t2 or 7,f7 engag+ 9 communications t are relat$ to ! duties ( ! position or are o!rwise protect$4 7#b7 ,prev5t+ or re/rict+ an employee f mak+ an action describ$ 9 any ( subp>agraphs 7,a7 ?r\gh 7,f7 ( p>agraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,conduct+ a negative pe] review or op5+ a retaliatory inve/igation because ( an activity ( an employee t is protect$ by section #bcjb ( title #e4 7#d7 ,reque/+ a contractor to c>ry out an action t is prohibit$ by section #dgje7;b7 or section #dgab7;a77#a7 ( title #da1 z ! case may be4 #gcd4 ,evaluation crit]ia ( sup]visors & treatm5t ( bonuses 7a7 ,evaluation crit]ia 7#a7 ,9 evaluat+ ! p]=mance ( sup]visors ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 ! ,secret>y %all include ! crit]ia describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,! crit]ia describ$ 9 ?is subsection are ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,:e!r ! sup]visor treats :i/lebl[] compla9ts 9 accordance ) section #gcb ( ?is title4 7,b7 ,:e!r ! appropriate decid+ (ficial1 p]=mance review bo>d1 or p]=mance review committee det]m9es t ! sup]visor 0 f\nd to h committ$ a prohibit$ p]sonnel action describ$ 9 section #gcc7;b7 ( ?is title by an adm9i/rative judge1 ! ,m]it ,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d1 ! ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel1 an adjudicat+ body provid$ "u a union contract1 a ,f$]al judge1 or1 9 ! case ( a settlem5t ( a :i/lebl[] compla9t 7reg>dless ( :e!r any fault 0 assign$ "u su* settlem5t71 ! ,secret>y4 7b7 ,bonuses 7#a7 ,! ,secret>y may n pay to a sup]visor describ$ 9 subsection 7a77#b77;,b7 an aw>d or bonus "u ?is title or title #e1 includ+ "u *apt] #de or #ec ( su* title1 dur+ ! "o-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on ! date on :i* ! det]m9ation 0 made "u su* subsection4 7#b7 ,not)/&+ any o!r provision ( law1 ! ,secret>y %all issue an ord] direct+ a sup]visor describ$ 9 subsection 7a77#b77;,b7 to repay ! am\nt ( any aw>d or bonus paid "u ?is title or title #e1 includ+ "u *apt] #de or #ec ( su* title1 if-- 7,a7 su* aw>d or bonus 0 paid = p]=mance dur+ a p]iod 9 :i* ! sup]visor committ$ a prohibit$ p]sonnel action z det]m9$ pursuant to su* subsection 7a77#b77;,b72 7,b7 ! ,secret>y det]m9es su* repaym5t appropriate pursuant to regulations prescrib$ by ! ,secret>y to c>ry out ?is section2 & 7,c7 ! sup]visor is af=d$ notice & an opportunity = a he>+ be=e mak+ su* repaym5t4 #gce4 ,tra9+ reg>d+ :i/lebl[] compla9ts 7a7 ,tra9+ ,n less frequ5tly ?an once ea* ye>1 ! ,secret>y1 9 coord9ation ) ! ,:i/lebl[] ,protection ,ombudsman designat$ "u section #c7;d77#a77;,c7 ( ! ,inspector ,g5]al ,act ( #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 %all provide to ea* employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t tra9+ reg>d+ :i/lebl[] compla9ts1 includ+-- 7#a7 an explanation ( ea* me?od e/abli%$ by law 9 :i* an employee may file a :i/lebl[] compla9t2 7#b7 an explanation ( prohibit$ p]sonnel actions describ$ by section #gcc7;c7 ( ?is title2 7#c7 ) respect to sup]visors1 h[ to treat :i/lebl[] compla9ts 9 accordance ) section #gcb ( ?is title2 7#d7 ! "r ( ! employee to petition ,congress reg>d+ a :i/lebl[] compla9t 9 accordance ) section #gbaa ( title #e2 7#e7 an explanation t ! employee may n be prosecut$ or repris$ aga9/ = disclos+ in=mation to ,congress1 ! ,inspector ,g5]al1 or ano!r inve/igatory ag5cy 9 in/ances :]e su* disclosure is p]mitt$ by law1 includ+ "u sections #egja1 #egje1 & #ggcb ( ?is title1 "u section #eeb;a ( title #e 7commonly ref]r$ to z ! ,privacy ,act71 "u *apt] #ic ( title #ah1 & pursuant to regulations promulgat$ "u section #bfd7;c7 ( ! ,heal? ,insurance ,portability & ,acc\ntability ,act ( #aiif 7,public ,law #ajd-aia72 7#f7 an explanation ( ! language t is requir$ to be includ$ 9 all nondisclosure policies1 =ms1 & agreem5ts pursuant to section #aae7;a77#a7 ( ! ,:i/lebl[] ,protection ,enhancem5t ,act ( #bjab 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 #bcjb note72 & 7#g7 ! "r ( contractors to be protect$ f reprisal = ! disclosure ( c]ta9 in=mation "u section #dgje or #dgab ( title #da4 7b7 ,mann] tra9+ is provid$ ,! ,secret>y %all ensure t tra9+ provid$ "u subsection 7a7 is provid$ 9 p]son4 7c7 ,c]tification ,n less frequ5tly ?an once ea* ye>1 ! ,secret>y %all provide tra9+ on m]it sy/em protection 9 a mann] t ! ,special ,c\nsel c]tifies z be+ satisfactory4 7d7 ,publication 7#a7 ,! ,secret>y %all publi% on ! ,int]net website ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 & display prom95tly at ea* facility ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 ! rights ( an employee to file a :i/lebl[] compla9t1 includ+ ! in=mation describ$ 9 p>agraphs 7#a7 ?r\gh 7#g7 ( subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,! ,secret>y %all publi% on ! ,int]net website ( ! ,dep>tm5t1 ! :i/lebl[] compla9t =m describ$ 9 section #gcb7;g77#b74 #gcf4 ,reports to ,congress 7a7 ,annual reports ,n less frequ5tly ?an once ea* ye>1 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! appropriate committees ( ,congress a report t includes-- 7#a7 ) respect to :i/lebl[] compla9ts fil$ "u section #gcb ( ?is title dur+ ! ye> cov]$ by ! report-- 7,a7 ! numb] ( su* compla9ts fil$2 7,b7 ! disposition ( su* compla9ts2 & 7,c7 ! ways 9 :i* ! ,secret>y address$ su* compla9ts 9 :i* a positive det]m9ation 0 made by a sup]visor "u subsection 7b77#a7 ( su* section2 7#b7 ! numb] ( :i/lebl[] compla9ts fil$ dur+ ! ye> cov]$ by ! report t are n includ$ "u p>agraph 7#a71 includ+-- 7,a7 ! me?od 9 :i* su* compla9ts 7 fil$2 7,b7 ! disposition ( su* compla9ts2 & 7,c7 ! ways 9 :i* ! ,secret>y address$ su* compla9ts2 & 7#c7 ) respect to disclosures made by a contractor "u section #dgje or #dgab ( title #da-- 7,a7 ! numb] ( compla9ts relat+ to su* disclosures t 7 inve/igat$ by ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs dur+ ! ye> cov]$ by ! report2 7,b7 ! disposition ( su* compla9ts2 & 7,c7 ! ways 9 :i* ! ,secret>y address$ su* compla9ts4 7b7 ,notice ( ,(fice ( ,special ,c\nsel det]m9ations ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! date on :i* ! ,secret>y receives f ! ,special ,c\nsel in=mation relat+ to a :i/lebl[] compla9t pursuant to section #abac ( title #e1 ! ,secret>y %all notify ! appropriate committees ( ,congress ( su* in=mation1 includ+ ! det]m9ation made by ! ,special ,c\nsel4 7c7 ,appropriate committees ( ,congress ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m appropriate committees ( ,congress means-- 7#a7 ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & ! ,committee on ,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate2 & 7#b7 ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs & ! ,committee on ,ov]sight & ,gov]nm5t ,re=m ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives4 4 7#b7 ,con=m+ & cl]ical am5dm5ts 7,a7 ,con=m+ am5dm5t ,su* *apt] is fur!r am5d$ by ins]t+ be=e section #gja ! foll[+3 ,i ,g5]al employee matt]s 4 7,b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5ts ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt] is am5d$-- 7i7 by ins]t+ be=e ! item relat+ to section #gja ! foll[+ new item3 ,sub*apt] ,i--,g5]al employee matt]s 2 & 7ii7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new items3 ,sub*apt] ,,ii--,:i/lebl[] compla9ts #gca4 ,:i/lebl[] compla9t def9$4 #gcb4 ,treatm5t ( :i/lebl[] compla9ts4 #gcc4 ,adv]se actions aga9/ sup]visory employees :o commit prohibit$ p]sonnel actions relat+ to :i/lebl[] compla9ts4 #gcd4 ,evaluation crit]ia ( sup]visors & treatm5t ( bonuses4 #gce4 ,tra9+ reg>d+ :i/lebl[] compla9ts4 #gcf4 ,reports to ,congress4 4 7b7 ,expansion ( def9ition ( p]sonnel action ,to include p]=mance evaluations ( employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs ,section #bcjb7;a77#b77;,a77viii7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ or "u title #ch aft] *apt] #dc ( ?is title4 #c4 ,requirem5t t ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs submit & make available to ! public c]ta9 "w products ,section #cab ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new subsection3 7c7 7#a7 ,:5ev] ! ,inspector ,g5]al1 9 c>ry+ out ! duties & responsibilities e/abli%$ "u ! ,inspector ,g5]al ,act ( #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 issues a "w product t makes a recomm5dation or o!rwise sugge/s corrective action1 ! ,inspector ,g5]al %all-- 7,a7 submit ! "w product to-- 7i7 ! ,secret>y2 7ii7 ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs1 ! ,committee on ,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs1 & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,s5ate2 7iii7 ! ,committee on ,vet]ans' ,affairs1 ! ,committee on ,ov]sight & ,gov]nm5t ,re=m1 & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives2 7iv7 if ! "w product 0 initiat$ ^u reque/ by an individual or entity o!r ?an ! ,inspector ,g5]al1 t individual or entity2 & 7v7 any ,memb] ( ,congress ^u reque/2 & 7,b7 n lat] ?an #c days aft] ! "w product is submitt$ 9 f9al =m to ! ,secret>y1 po/ ! "w product on ! ,int]net website ( ! ,inspector ,g5]al4 7#b7 ,no?+ 9 ?is subsection %all be con/ru$ to au?orize ! public disclosure ( in=mation t is specifically prohibit$ f disclosure by any o!r provision ( law4 4 #d4 ,treatm5t ( congressional te/imony by ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs employees z (ficial duty 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #g ( title #ch1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z designat$ by section #b7;a77#b77;,a71 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new section3 #gae4 ,congressional te/imony by employees3 treatm5t z (ficial duty 7a7 ,congressional te/imony ,an employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t is p]=m+ (ficial duty dur+ ! p]iod ) respect to :i* ! employee is te/ify+ 9 an (ficial capacity 9 front ( ei!r *amb] ( ,congress1 a committee ( ei!r *amb] ( ,congress1 or a jo9t or select committee ( ,congress4 7b7 ,travel ,exp5ses ,! ,secret>y %all provide travel exp5ses1 includ+ p] diem 9 lieu ( subsi/5ce1 9 accordance ) applicable provisions "u sub*apt] ,i ( *apt] #eg ( title #e1 to any employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs p]=m+ (ficial duty describ$ "u subsection 7a74 4 7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table ( sections at ! beg9n+ ( su* *apt]1 z am5d$ by section #b7;a77#b77;,b71 is fur!r am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item relat+ to section #gac ! foll[+ new item3 #gae4 ,congressional te/imony by employees3 treatm5t z (ficial duty4 4