,i  #aaf? ,,congress  #b;d ,session  ,h4
 ,r4 #gice  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(          
,,repres5tatives  ,augu/ #d1 #bjbj,mrs4 
,c>olyn ,b4 ,maloney ( ,new ,york 7=    
h]self1 ,mr4 ,connolly1 & ,ms4 ,spei]7  
introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to
 ! ,committee on ,ov]sight & ,re=m  ,a  
,,bill  ,to am5d title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 to modify & enhance protections 
= ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t :i/lebl[]s1 & = o!r  
purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may
 be cit$ z ! ,:i/lebl[] ,protection     
,improvem5t ,act ( #bjbj4  #b4          
,additional :i/lebl[] protections  7a7  
,inve/igations z p]sonnel actions  7#a7 
,9 g5]al ,section #bcjb7;a77#b77;,a7 (  
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is       
am5d$-- 7,a7 9 clause 7xi71 by /rik+ &  
at ! end2  7,b7 by r$esignat+ clause    
7xii7 z clause 7xiii72 &  7,c7 by add+  
aft] ! clause 7xi7 ! foll[+3  7xii7 !   
op5+ ( any inve/igation z a result ( a  
disclosure protect$ by subsection       
7b77#h7 7b n includ+ any inve/igation t 
is m9i/]ial or nondiscretion>y72 &  4   

7#b7 ,application ,! am5dm5t made by    
p>agraph 7#a7 %all apply to any         
inve/igation op5$ 7z describ$ "u section
 #bcjb7;a77#b77;,a77xii7 ( title #e1    
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ by su*      
p>agraph7 on or aft] ! date ( enactm5t (
 ?is ,act4  7b7 ,"r to petition         
,congress  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,section       
#bcjb7;b77#i7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates 
,code1 is am5d$-- 7,a7 9 subp>agraph    
7,c71 by /rik+ or at ! end2  7,b7 9     
subp>agraph 7,d71 by add+ or at ! end   
aft] ! semicolon2 &  7,c7 by add+ at !  
end ! foll[+3  7,e7 ! ex]cise ( any "r  
protect$ "u section #gbaa2  4  7#b7     
,application ,! am5dm5t made by p>agraph
 7#a7 %all apply to ! ex]cise ( any "r  
describ$ 9 section #bcjb7;b77#i77;,e7 ( 
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z add$ by
 p>agraph 7#a71 occurr+ on or aft] !    
date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7c7        
,prohibition on disclosure ( :i/lebl[]  
id5tity  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #bcjb ( 
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ 
by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7g7 7#a7 ,no

 employee ( an ag5cy may willfully      
communicate or transmit to any          
individual :o is n an (fic] or employee 
( ! ,gov]nm5t ! id5tity (1 or p]sonally 
id5tifiable in=mation ab\t1 any o!r     
employee :o has made1 or is suspect$ to 
h made1 a disclosure protect$ by        
subsection 7b77#h71 unless-- 7,a7 ! o!r 
employee provides express writt5 cons5t 
prior to ! communication or             
transmission2  7,b7 ! communication or  
transmission is made 9 accordance ) !   
provisions ( section #eeb;a2  7,c7 !    
communication or transmission is made to
 a lawy] = ! sole purpose ( provid+     
legal advice to an employee accus$ (    
:i/lebl[] retaliation2 or  7,d7 !       
communication or transmission is requir$
 or p]mitt$ by any o!r provision ( law4 
7#b7 ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]m (fic] or  
employee ( ! ,gov]nm5t means-- 7,a7 !   
,presid5t2  7,b7 a ,memb] ( ,congress2  
7,c7 a memb] ( ! uni=m$ s]vices2  7,d7  
an employee z t t]m is def9$ 9 section  
#baje1 includ+ an employee ( ! ,unit$   

,/ates ,po/al ,s]vice1 ! ,po/al         
,regulatory ,commission1 or ! ,dep>tm5t 
( ,vet]ans ,affairs 7includ+ any        
employee appo9t$ pursuant to *apt] #gc  
or #gd ( title #ch72 &  7,e7 any o!r    
(fic] or employee 9 any bran* ( !       
,gov]nm5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates4  4  7#b7   
,application ,! am5dm5t made by p>agraph
 7#a7 %all apply to any transmission or 
communication describ$ 9 subsection 7g7 
( section #bcjb ( title #e1 ,unit$      
,/ates ,code1 z add$ by p>agraph 7#a71  
made on or aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is 
,act4  7d7 ,"r to petition ,congress    
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #gbaa ( title #e1
 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ to read z
 foll[s3  #gbaa4 ,employees' "r to      
petition or furni% in=mation or respond 
to ,congress  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,ea* (fic] or
 employee ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t1         
individually or collectively1 has a "r  
to-- 7#a7 petition ,congress or a ,memb]
 ( ,congress2  7#b7 furni% in=mation1   
docum5ts1 or te/imony to ei!r ,h\se (   
,congress1 any ,memb] ( ,congress1 or   

any committee or subcommittee ( !       
,congress2 or  7#c7 respond to any      
reque/ = in=mation1 docum5ts1 or        
te/imony f ei!r ,h\se ( ,congress or any
 ,committee or subcommittee ( ,congress4
  7b7 ,prohibit$ actions ,no (fic] or   
employee ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t may       
int]f]e ) or d5y ! "r set =? 9          
subsection 7a71 includ+ by-- 7#a7       
prohibit+ or prev5t+1 or attempt+ or    
?reat5+ to prohibit or prev5t1 any o!r  
(fic] or employee ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t f
 engag+ 9 activity protect$ 9 subsection
 7a72 or  7#b7 remov+1 susp5d+ f duty   
)\t pay1 demot+1 r$uc+ 9 rank1 s5iority1
 /atus1 pay1 or p]=mance or effici5cy   
rat+1 d5y+ promotion to1 relocat+1      
reassign+1 transf]r+1 discipl9+1 or     
discrim9at+ 9 reg>d to any employm5t "r1
 entitlem5t1 or b5efit1 or any t]m or   
condition ( employm5t (1 any o!r (fic]  
or employee ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t or     
attempt+ or ?reat5+ to commit any ( !   
=ego+ actions protect$ 9 subsection 7a74
  7c7 ,application ,?is section %all n  

be con/ru$ to au?orize disclosure ( any 
in=mation t is-- 7#a7 specifically      
prohibit$ f disclosure by any o!r       
provision ( ,f$]al law2 or  7#b7        
specifically requir$ by ,executive ord] 
to be kept secret 9 ! int]e/ ( national 
def5se or ! conduct ( =eign affairs1    
unless disclosure is o!rwise au?oriz$ by
 law4  7d7 ,def9ition ( (fic] or        
employee ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t ,=        
purposes ( ?is section1 ! t]m (fic] or  
employee ( ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t includes--
 7#a7 ! ,presid5t2  7#b7 a ,memb] (     
,congress2  7#c7 a memb] ( ! uni=m$     
s]vices2  7#d7 an employee 7z t t]m is  
def9$ 9 section #baje72  7#e7 an        
employee ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,po/al       
,s]vice or ! ,po/al ,regulatory         
,commission2 &  7#f7 an employee appo9t$
 "u *apt] #gc or #gd ( title #ch4  4    
7#b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,! table (        
sections = sub*apt] ,,ii ( *apt] #gb (  
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ 
by /rik+ ! item relat$ to section #gbaa 
& ins]t+ ! foll[+3  #gbaa4 ,employees'  

"r to petition or furni% in=mation or   
respond to ,congress4  4  #c4           
,enhancem5t ( :i/lebl[] protections  7a7
 ,disclosures relat+ to (fic]s or       
employees ( an ,(fice ( ,inspector      
,g5]al ,section #abac7;c7 ( title #e1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+3  7#c7 ,if ! in=mation  
transmitt$ "u ?is subsection disclos$ a 
violation ( law1 rule1 or regulation1 or
 gross wa/e1 gross mismanagem5t1 abuse (
 au?ority1 or a sub/antial & specific   
dang] to public heal? or safety1 by any 
(fic] or employee ( an ,(fice (         
,inspector ,g5]al1 ! ,special ,c\nsel   
may ref] ! matt] to ! ,committee (      
,inspectors ,g5]al = ,integrity &       
,effici5cy1 :i* %all comply ) ! /&>ds & 
proc$ures applicable to inve/igations & 
reports "u subsection 7c74  4  7b7      
,individual "r ( action  7#a7           
,nondisclosure agreem5ts2 disclosure (  
id5tity ,section #abba ( title #e1      
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+  
section #bcjb7;b77#h7 or section        

#bcjb7;b77#i77;,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 or   
7,d71 9 ea* in/ance & ins]t+ section    
#bcjb7;b77#h71 section                  
#bcjb7;b77#i77;,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 7,d71
 or 7,e71 section #bcjb7;b77#ac71 or    
section #bcjb7;g714  7#b7 ,/ays ,section
 #abba7;c77#b7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3  7#b7
 ,any /ay reque/$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all 
be grant$ )9 #aj cal5d> days 7exclud+   
,saturdays1 ,sundays1 & legal holidays7 
aft] ! date ! reque/ is made1 if ! ,bo>d
 det]m9es t su* a /ay w\ld be           
appropriate4 ,if ! /ay reque/ is d5i$1 !
 employee1 =m] employee1 or applicant   
may1 )9 #g days aft] receiv+ notice ( ! 
d5ial1 file an appeal = exp$it$ review  
by ! ,bo>d4 ,! ag5cy %all h #g days     
!reaft] to respond4 ,! ,bo>d %all       
provide a decision n lat] ?an #ba days  
aft] receiv+ ! appeal4 ,dur+ ! p]iod (  
appeal1 bo? p>ties may supplem5t !      
record ) in=mation unavailable to !m at 
! "t ! /ay 0 fir/ reque/$4  4  7#c7     
,access to di/rict c\rt2 jury trials    

,section #abba7;i7 ( title #e1 ,unit$   
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7,a7 by /rik+  
7i7 ,subsections & ins]t+ 7i77#a7       
,subsections2 &  7,b7 by add+ at ! end !
 foll[+3  7#b7 7,a7 ,if1 9 ! case ( an  
employee1 =m] employee1 or applicant =  
employm5t :o seeks corrective action f !
 ,m]it ,sy/ems ,protection ,bo>d bas$ on
 an alleg$ prohibit$ p]sonnel practice  
describ$ 9 section #bcjb7;b77#h71       
section #bcjb7;b77#i77;,a77i71 7,b71    
7,c71 7,d71 or 7,e71 section            
#bcjb7;b77#ac71 or section #bcjb7;g71 no
 f9al ord] or decision is issu$ by !    
,bo>d )9 #ahj days aft] ! date on :i* a 
reque/ = su* corrective action has be5  
duly submitt$ to ! ,bo>d1 su* employee1 
=m] employee1 or applicant may1 aft]    
provid+ writt5 notice to ! ,special     
,c\nsel & ! ,bo>d & only )9 #bj days    
aft] provid+ su* notice1 br+ an action =
 review de novo be=e ! appropriate      
,unit$ ,/ates di/rict c\rt1 & su* action
 %all1 at ! reque/ ( ei!r p>ty to su*   
action1 be tri$ be=e a jury4 ,^u fil+ ( 

an action ) ! appropriate ,unit$ ,/ates 
di/rict c\rt1 any proce$+s be=e ! ,bo>d 
%all cease & ! employee1 =m] employee1  
or applicant = employm5t waives any "r  
to refile ) ! ,bo>d4  7,b7 ,if ! ,bo>d  
c]tifies 79 writ+7 to ! p>ties ( a case 
t ! complexity ( su* case requires a    
long] p]iod ( review1 subp>agraph 7,a7  
%all be appli$ by sub/itut+ #bdj days = 
#ahj days4  7,c7 ,9 any su* action      
br\ght be=e a ,unit$ ,/ates di/rict c\rt
 "u subp>agraph 7,a71 ! c\rt-- 7i7 %all 
apply ! /&>ds set =? 9 subsection 7e72 &
  7ii7 may aw>d any relief :i* ! c\rt   
consid]s appropriate1 includ+ any relief
 describ$ 9 subsection 7g74  4  7c7     
,recipi5ts ( :i/lebl[] disclosures      
,section #bcjb7;b77#h77;,b7 ( title #e1 
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+  
or to ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( an ag5cy or 
ano!r employee designat$ by ! head ( !  
ag5cy to receive su* disclosures &      
ins]t+ ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( an ag5cy1 a
 sup]visor 9 ! employee's direct *a9 (  
comm& up to & includ+ ! head ( ! employ+

 ag5cy1 or to an employee designat$ by  
any ( ! a=em5tion$ individuals = !      
purpose ( receiv+ su* disclosures4  7d7 
,attorney fees ,section #ggjc7;a7 (     
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ 
by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7#c7 ,if an 
employee1 =m] employee1 or applicant =  
employm5t is ! prevail+ p>ty "u an      
appeal "u ?is section1 ! employee1 =m]  
employee1 or applicant = employm5t %all 
be entitl$ to attorney fees = all       
repres5tation c>ri$ out pursuant to ?is 
section4 ,9 su* an action = attorney    
fees1 ! ag5cy responsible = tak+ !      
p]sonnel action %all be ! respond5t &   
%all be responsible = pay+ ! fees4  4   
7e7 ,ext5d+ ,:i/lebl[] ,protection ,act 
to c]ta9 employees ,section             
#bcjb7;a77#b77;,a7 ( title #e1 ,unit$   
,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ 9 ! matt] foll[+ 
clause 7xiii7-- 7#a7 by ins]t+          
subsection 7b77#i77;,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 
7,d71 or 7,e71 subsection 7b77#ac71 or  
subsection 7g71 aft] subsection         
7b77#h712 &  7#b7 by ins]t+ aft] title  

#ca ! foll[+3 1 a commission$ (fic] or  
applicant = employm5t 9 ! ,public ,heal?
 ,s]vice1 & a nonc>e] appo9tee 9 !      
,s5ior ,executive ,s]vice4  7f7 ,relief 
,section #ggja7;b77#b77;,a7 ( title #e1 
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by /rik+  
^u ! mak+ ( ! decision & ins]t+ ^u mak+ 
( ! decision1 necess>y to make !        
employee :ole z if !re _h be5 no        
prohibit$ p]sonnel practice1 includ+    
tra9+1 s5iority & promotions consi/5t ) 
! employee's prior record14  #d4        
,classify+ c]ta9 furl\ghs z adv]se      
p]sonnel actions  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section 
#geab ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1  
is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph 7#d71 by     
/rik+ & at ! end2 &  7#b7 by /rik+      
p>agraph 7#e7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3  7#e7 a
 furl\gh ( m ?an #ad days b less ?an #cj
 days2 &  7#f7 a furl\gh ( #ac days or  
less t is n due to a lapse 9            
appropriations2  4  7b7 ,application ,! 
am5dm5t made by subsection 7a7 %all     
apply to any furl\gh cov]$ by su*       
section #geab7e7 or 7#f7 7z am5d$ by su*

 subsection7 occurr+ on or aft] ! date (
 enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  #e4 ,codification
 ( protections = disclosures ( c5sor%ip 
relat$ to rese>*1 analysis1 or te*nical 
in=mation  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #bcjb (
 title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ 
by section #b7;c77#a71 is fur!r am5d$ by
 add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7h7 7#a7 ,9   
?is subsection-- 7,a7 ! t]m applicant   
means an applicant = a cov]$ position2  
7,b7 ! t]m c5sor%ip relat$ to rese>*1   
analysis1 or te*nical in=mation means   
any ef=t to di/ort1 misrepres5t1 or     
suppress rese>*1 analysis1 or te*nical  
in=mation2 &  7,c7 ! t]m employee means 
an employee 9 a cov]$ position 9 an     
ag5cy4  7#b7 7,a7 ,any disclosure (     
in=mation by an employee or applicant = 
employm5t t ! employee or applicant     
reasonably believes is evid5ce (        
c5sor%ip relat$ to rese>*1 analysis1 or 
te*nical in=mation-- 7i7 %all come )9 ! 
protections ( subsection 7b77#h77;,a7   
if-- 7,i7 ! employee or applicant       
reasonably believes t ! c5sor%ip relat$ 

to rese>*1 analysis1 or te*nical        
in=mation is or w cause-- 7aa7 any      
violation ( law1 rule1 or regulation2 or
  7bb7 gross mismanagem5t1 a gross wa/e 
( funds1 an abuse ( au?ority1 or a      
sub/antial & specific dang] to public   
heal? or safety2 &  7,,ii7 su*          
disclosure is n specifically prohibit$  
by law or su* in=mation is n            
specifically requir$ by ,executive ord] 
to be kept classifi$ 9 ! int]e/ (       
national def5se or ! conduct ( =eign    
affairs2 &  7ii7 %all come )9 !         
protections ( subsection 7b77#h77;,b7   
if-- 7,i7 ! employee or applicant       
reasonably believes t ! c5sor%ip relat$ 
to rese>*1 analysis1 or te*nical        
in=mation is or w cause-- 7aa7 any      
violation ( law1 rule1 or regulation2 or
  7bb7 gross mismanagem5t1 a gross wa/e 
( funds1 an abuse ( au?ority1 or a      
sub/antial & specific dang] to public   
heal? or safety2 &  7,,ii7 ! disclosure 
is made to ! ,special ,c\nsel1 or to !  
,inspector ,g5]al ( an ag5cy or ano!r   

p]son designat$ by ! head ( ! ag5cy to  
receive su* disclosures1 consi/5t ) !   
protection ( s\rces & me?ods4  7#c7 ,a  
disclosure %all n be exclud$ f p>agraph 
7#b7 = any reason describ$ "u subsection
 7f77#a7 or 7#b74  7#d7 ,no?+ 9 ?is     
subsection %all be con/ru$ to imply any 
limitation on ! protections ( employees 
& applicants af=d$ by any o!r provision 
( law1 includ+ protections ) respect to 
any disclosure ( in=mation believ$ to be
 evid5ce ( c5sor%ip relat$ to rese>*1   
analysis1 or te*nical in=mation4  4  7b7
 ,repeal  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #aaj ( 
! ,:i/lebl[] ,protection ,enhancem5t    
,act ( #bjab 7,public ,law #aab-aii7 is 
h]eby repeal$4  7#b7 ,rule ( con/ruction
 ,no?+ 9 ?is section %all be con/ru$ to 
limit or o!rwise affect any action "u   
su* section #aaj comm5c$ be=e ! date (  
enactm5t ( ?is ,act or any protections  
af=d$ by su* section ) respect to su*   
action4  #f4 ,te*nical & con=m+ am5dm5ts
 ,title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is     
am5d$-- 7#a7 9 section #abab7;h71 by    

/rik+ or 7#i7 9 ea* in/ance & ins]t+ 1  
7b77#i71 7b77#ac71 or 7g72  7#b7 9      
section #abad7;a7-- 7,a7 by /rik+       
section #bcjb7;b77#h7 or section        
#bcjb7;b77#i77;,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 or   
7,d7 9 ea* in/ance & ins]t+ section     
#bcjb7;b77#h71 section                  
#bcjb7;b77#i77;,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 7,d71
 or 7,e71 section #bcjb7;b77#ac71 or    
section #bcjb7;g72 &  7,b7 9 subsection 
7i71 by /rik+ section #bcjb7;b77#h7 or  
subp>agraph 7,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d7
 ( section #bcjb7;b77#i7 & ins]t+       
section #bcjb7;b77#h71 subp>agraph      
7,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 7,d71 or 7,e7 (    
section #bcjb7;b77#i71 section          
#bcjb7;b77#ac71 or section #bcjb7;g72   
7#c7 9 section #abae1 by /rik+ section  
#bcjb7;b77#h71 or #bcjb7;b77#i77;,a77i71
 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d7 9 ea* in/ance &    
ins]t+ section #bcjb7;b77#h71 section   
#bcjb7;b77#i77;,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 7,d71
 or 7,e71 section #bcjb7;b77#ac71 or    
section #bcjb7;g72  7#d7 9 section      
#bcjb-- 7,a7 9 subsection 7a7-- 7i7 9   

p>agraph 7#a71 by ins]t+ or 7g7 aft]    
subsection 7b72 &  7ii7 9 p>agraph      
7#b77;,c77i71 by /rik+ subsection       
7b77#h7 or section                      
#bcjb7;b77#i77;,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 or   
7,d7 & ins]t+ section #bcjb7;b77#h71    
section #bcjb7;b77#i77;,a77i71 7,b71    
7,c71 7,d71 or 7,e71 section            
#bcjb7;b77#ac71 or section #bcjb7;g72 & 
7,b7 9 subsection 7c77#a77;,b71 by /rik+
 p>agraph 7#h7 or subp>agraph 7,a77i71  
7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d7 ( p>agraph 7#i7 (   
subsection 7b7 & ins]t+ p>agraph 7#h71  
subp>agraph 7,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d7
 ( p>agraph 7#i71 or p>agraph 7#ac7 (   
subsection 7b7 or subsection 7g72  7#e7 
9 section #geae7;a77#b71 by /rik+       
p>agraph 7#h71 7#i71 or 7#ad7 ( section 
#bcjb7;b7 & ins]t+ p>agraph 7#h71 7#i71 
7#ac71 or 7#ad7 ( section #bcjb7;b7 or  
section #bcjb7;g72  7#f7 9 section      
#ggja7;c77#b77;,b71 by ins]t+ or section
 #bcjb7;g7 aft] section #bcjb7;b72 &    
7#g7 9 section #ggjc7;b77#a77;,b71 by   
/rik+ section #bcjb7;b77#h71 or         

#bcjb7;b77#i77;,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 or   
7,d7 9 ea* in/ance & ins]t+ section     
#bcjb7;b77#h71 section                  
#bcjb7;b77#i77;,a77i71 7,b71 7,c71 7,d71
 or 7,e71 section #bcjb7;b77#ac71 or    
section #bcjb7;g74