,i #aag? ,,congress #a/ ,session ,h4 ,r4 #fjic ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,( ,,repres5tatives ,novemb] #cj1 #bjba,ms4 ,s*ak[sky 7= h]self & ,mrs4 ,trahan7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,education & ,labor1 & 9 addition to ! ,committee on ,en]gy & ,comm]ce1 = a p]iod to be subsequ5tly det]m9$ by ! ,speak]1 9 ea* case = consid]ation ( su* provisions z fall )9 ! jurisdiction ( ! committee conc]n$ ,a ,,bill ,to provide inc5tives = & protect :i/lebl[]s "u ! au?ority ( ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,,ftc ,:i/lebl[] ,act ( #bjba4 #b4 ,protection ( :i/lebl[]s 7a7 ,protection f retaliation ,a cov]$ entity may n1 directly or indirectly1 dis*>ge1 demote1 susp5d1 ?reat51 h>ass1 blackli/1 or 9 any o!r mann] discrim9ate or take an adv]se p]sonnel action aga9/ an individual1 or any p]son p]ceiv$ z assi/+ ! individual1 :o does any ( ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,makes 7or ! cov]$ entity suspects ! individual has made or w make7 a cov]$ disclosure to-- 7,a7 a qualifi$ entity2 7,b7 a p]son ) sup]visory au?ority ov] ! individual2 or 7,c7 ano!r individual :o ! individual reasonably believes has ! au?ority to inve/igate1 discov]1 or t]m9ate ! violation 9 ! cov]$ disclosure or to take any o!r action to address ! violation 9 ! cov]$ disclosure4 7#b7 ,initiates1 te/ifies1 assi/s1 or p>ticipates 7or ! cov]$ entity expects w initiate1 te/ify1 assi/1 or p>ticipate7 9 an inve/igation or judicial or adm9i/rative proce$+ by a qualifi$ entity4 7#c7 ,objects to1 or refuses to p>ticipate 91 any activity1 policy1 practice1 or assign$ task t ! individual 7or o!r su* p]son7 reasonably believes is a pot5tial or suspect$ violation ( any law1 rule1 or regulation en=c$ by ! ,commission4 7b7 ,en=cem5t 7#a7 ,cause ( action ,an individual :o alleges a violation ( subsection 7a7 may br+ an action "u ?is subsection 9 ! appropriate di/rict c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates = ! relief provid$ 9 subsection 7c74 7#b7 ,/atute ( limitations 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,an action "u ?is subsection may n be br\ght-- 7i7 m ?an #f ye>s aft] ! date on :i* ! violation ( subsection 7a7 occurr$2 or 7ii7 m ?an #c ye>s aft] ! date on :i* facts mat]ial to ! "r ( action are kn[n or reasonably %\ld h be5 kn[n by ! :i/lebl[] alleg+ a violation ( subsection 7a74 7,b7 ,requir$ action )9 #aj ye>s ,not)/&+ subp>agraph 7,a71 an action "u ?is subsection may n 9 any circum/ance be br\ght m ?an #aj ye>s aft] ! date on :i* ! violation occurs4 7#c7 ,waiv] ( rights & rem$ies ,! rights & rem$ies provid$ = 9 ?is section may n be waiv$ by any policy =m or condition ( employm5t1 includ+ by a pr$ispute arbitration agreem5t4 7#d7 ,pr$ispute arbitration agreem5ts ,a pr$ispute arbitration agreem5t is n valid or en=ceable if ! agreem5t requires arbitration ( a dispute aris+ "u ?is section4 7#e7 ,re/rictive cov5ant agreem5ts ,an agreem5t 9 :i* a :i/lebl[] is re/ra9$ by ! cov]$ entity t 0 ! subject ( a cov]$ disclosure f ex]cis+ a lawful pr(ession1 trade1 or bus9ess ( any k9d is n valid & n en=ceable4 7c7 ,relief ,relief = an individual prevail+ 9 an action br\ght "u subsection 7a7 includes ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,re9/atem5t ) ! same s5iority /atus t ! individual w\ld h _h1 b = ! dis*>ge or discrim9ation4 7#b7 ,?ree times ! am\nt ( back pay o!rwise ow$ to ! individual1 ) int]e/4 7#c7 ,consequ5tial & comp5satory damages1 & comp5sation = litigation co/s1 exp]t witness fees1 & reasonable attorneys' fees4 7d7 ,communications 7#a7 ,prohibition on imp$+ cov]$ disclosure ,a cov]$ entity may n take any action t imp$es or prev5ts an individual f communicat+ directly ) a qualifi$ entity ab\t a cov]$ disclosure1 includ+ en=c+1 or ?reat5+ to en=ce1 a confid5tiality or non-disp>agem5t agreem5t4 7#b7 ,communication ) qualifi$ entities ,a cov]$ entity may n require ! cons5t ( ! c\nsel ( ! cov]$ entity = a qualifi$ entity to communicate directly ) an individual or ! attorney ( an individual 7if ! individual is repres5t$ by an attorney7 reg>d+ a possible cov]$ disclosure4 7#c7 ,en=cem5t ,a violation ( p>agraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 %all be treat$ z a violation ( a rule def9+ an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescrib$ "u section #ah7;a77#a77;,b7 ( ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #eg;a7a77#a77;,b774 ,! ,commission %all en=ce ?is subsection 9 ! same mann]1 by ! same means1 & ) ! same jurisdiction1 p[]s1 & duties z ?\gh all applicable t]ms & provisions ( ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #da et seq47 7 incorporat$ into & made a "p ( ?is subsection4 ,any p]son :o violates p>agraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 %all be subject to ! p5alties & entitl$ to ! privileges & immunities provid$ 9 ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission ,act4 7e7 ,confid5tiality ,in=mation t c\ld reasonably be expect$ to reveal ! id5tity ( a :i/lebl[]1 except z provid$ 9 section #ba7;d7 ( ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #eg;b-#b7;d77-- 7#a7 %all be consid]$ confid5tial2 7#b7 may n be disclos$2 & 7#c7 is exempt f disclosure "u section #eeb7;b77#c7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7f7 ,rules ( con/ruction 7#a7 ,collective b>ga9+ ,no?+ 9 ?is section may be con/ru$ to dim9i% ! rights1 privileges1 or rem$ies ( any :i/lebl[] "u any ,f$]al or ,/ate law1 or "u any collective b>ga9+ agreem5t4 7#b7 ,o!r :i/lebl[] protections ,no?+ 9 ?is section may be con/ru$ to preempt or sup]s$e any o!r ,f$]al or ,/ate law relat+ to :i/lebl[] protections4 #c4 ,inc5tives = :i/lebl[]s 7a7 ,aw>ds ,if a :i/lebl[] volunt>ily provides to ! ,commission orig9al in=mation t ! :i/lebl[] reasonably believes relates to a pot5tial or suspect$ violation ( any law1 rule1 or regulation en=c$ by ! ,commission & ! orig9al in=mation t ! :i/lebl[] provid$ to ! ,commission leads to ! successful resolution ( a cov]$ action1 ! ,commission1 subject to subsection 7b71 may pay an aw>d to a :i/lebl[] 9 an aggregate am\nt (-- 7#a7 n less ?an #aj p]c5t1 9 total1 ( collect$ monet>y sanctions2 & 7#b7 n m ?an #cj p]c5t1 9 total1 ( collect$ monet>y sanctions4 7b7 ,det]m9ation ( aw>ds2 d5ial ( aw>ds 7#a7 ,det]m9ation ( aw>ds 7,a7 ,discretion ,! det]m9ation ( :e!r1 to :om1 or 9 :at am\nt to make an aw>d %all be 9 ! discretion ( ! ,commission subject to ! provisions 9 subsection 7a74 7,b7 ,crit]ia ,9 det]m9+ an aw>d made "u subsection 7a71 ! ,commission %all take into consid]ation-- 7i7 ! significance ( ! orig9al in=mation provid$ by ! :i/lebl[] to ! successful resolution ( ! cov]$ action2 7ii7 ! degree ( assi/ance provid$ by ! :i/lebl[] & any legal repres5tative ( ! :i/lebl[] 9 ! cov]$ action2 & 7iii7 su* additional factors z ! ,commission consid]s relevant4 7#b7 ,d5ial ( aw>ds ,! ,commission may d5y an aw>d "u subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 to any :i/lebl[] :o is convict$ ( a crim9al violation relat$ to ! cov]$ action = :i* ! :i/lebl[] o!rwise c\ld receive an aw>d "u ?is section2 7,b7 to any :i/lebl[] :o1 act+ )\t direction f a cov]$ entity1 or ag5t !re(1 delib]ately causes or sub/antially contributes to ! alleg$ violation 9 ! cov]$ action2 or 7,c7 to any :i/lebl[] :o fails to provide ! orig9al in=mation to ! ,commission 9 su* =m z ! ,commission may require by regulation4 7c7 ,repres5tation ,a :i/lebl[] may be repres5t$ by c\nsel4 7d7 ,no contract necess>y ,a contract ) ! ,commission is n necess>y = a :i/lebl[] to receive an aw>d "u subsection 7a74 7e7 ,provision ( false in=mation ,a :i/lebl[] :o kn[+ly & int5tionally makes any false1 fictiti\s1 or fraudul5t /atem5t or repres5tation1 or :o makes or uses any false writ+ or docum5t kn[+ ! same to conta9 any false1 fictiti\s1 or fraudul5t /atem5t or entry1 %all n be entitl$ to an aw>d "u ?is section4 7f7 ,appeals 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,any det]m9ation made "u ?is section1 includ+ :e!r1 to :om1 or 9 :at am\nt to make an aw>d1 %all be 9 ! discretion ( ! ,commission4 7#b7 ,appeals ,any det]m9ation made by ! ,commission "u ?is section may be appeal$ by a :i/lebl[] to ! appropriate c\rt ( appeals ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! date on :i* a det]m9ation is issu$ by ! ,commission4 7#c7 ,review ,! c\rt %all review ! det]m9ation made by ! ,commission 9 accordance ) section #gjf ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7g7 ,rules ( con/ruction 7#a7 ,orig9al in=mation ,orig9al in=mation submitt$ to ! ,commission by a :i/lebl[] 9 accordance ) ! requirem5ts ( ?is section %all n lose ! /atus z orig9al in=mation solely because ! :i/lebl[] submitt$ ! in=mation be=e ! effective date ( any regulation issu$ "u ?is ,act if ! in=mation 0 submitt$ aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4 7#b7 ,aw>ds ,a :i/lebl[] may receive an aw>d "u ?is section reg>dless ( :e!r ! violation 9 ! cov]$ action occurr$ be=e ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 & may receive an aw>d be=e ! ,commission promulgates any regulation "u ?is ,act4 #d4 ,rulemak+ ,! ,commission may issue su* rules & regulations1 includ+ regulations "u section #eec ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z may be necess>y or appropriate to implem5t ! provisions ( ?is ,act4 #e4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3 7#a7 ,commission ,! t]m ,commission means ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission4 7#b7 ,cov]$ action ,! t]m cov]$ action means any adm9i/rative or judicial action1 includ+ any relat$ adm9i/rative or judicial action1 br\ght by ! ,commission or ! ,attorney ,g5]al "u section #c t 9 ! aggregate results 9 monet>y sanctions exce$+ #a1jjj1jjj4 7#c7 ,cov]$ disclosure ,! t]m cov]$ disclosure means a =mal or in=mal communication or transmission t an individual reasonably believes relates to a pot5tial or suspect$ violation ( any law1 rule1 or regulation en=c$ by ! ,commission4 7#d7 ,cov]$ entity ,! t]m cov]$ entity means an entity or individual subject to ! jurisdiction ( ! ,commission4 7#e7 ,monet>y sanctions ,! t]m monet>y sanctions-- 7,a7 means monies1 includ+ p5alties1 disgorgem5t1 or int]e/1 ord]$ or agre$ to be paid2 & 7,b7 does n include any relief necess>y to r$ress injury to consum]s1 z det]m9$ by ! ,commission4 7#f7 ,orig9al in=mation ,! t]m orig9al in=mation means in=mation t-- 7,a7 is d]iv$ f ! indep5d5t k or analysis ( an individual2 7,b7 is n kn[n to ! ,commission f any o!r s\rce1 unless ! individual is ! orig9al s\rce ( ! in=mation2 & 7,c7 is n exclusively d]iv$ f an allegation made 9 a judicial or an adm9i/rative action1 gov]nm5tal report1 he>+1 audit1 or inve/igation1 or f ! news m$ia1 unless ! individual is a s\rce ( ! in=mation4 7#g7 ,qualifi$ entity ,! t]m qualifi$ entity means-- 7,a7 ! ,commission2 or 7,b7 a ,f$]al entity1 includ+ any ,memb] or committee ( ,congress4 7#h7 ,successful resolution ,! t]m successful resolution1 ) respect to a cov]$ action1 includes any settlem5t or adjudication ( ! cov]$ action4 7#i7 ,:i/lebl[] ,! t]m :i/lebl[] means-- 7,a7 an individual 7or gr\p ( individuals7 :o is a curr5t or =m] full-"t1 "p-"t1 or tempor>y employee1 contractor1 subcontractor 7at any ti]71 grantee1 subgrantee1 or ag5t ( a cov]$ entity or employee ( a contractor or subcontractor 7at any ti]7 ( t cov]$ entity t engages 9 any ( ! conduct describ$ "u p>agraph 7#a71 7#b71 or 7#c7 ( section #b7;a72 or 7,b7 any p]son t assi/s or is p]ceiv$ z assi/+ any su* individual 7or gr\p ( individuals74