,i #aai? ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ajgib ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,( ,,repres5tatives ,octob] #i1 #bjbf,ms4 ,s*ak[sky 7= h]self1 ,mrs4 ,trahan1 & ,mr4 ,kean7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,education & ,work=ce1 & 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 ( #bjbf4 #b4 ,protection ( :i/lebl[]s 7a7 ,protection f retaliation ,a cov]$ entity may n1 directly or indirectly1 dis*>ge1 demote1 susp5d1 ?reat51 h>ass1 or 9 any o!r mann] discrim9ate or take an adv]se p]sonnel action aga9/ an individual 7or a gr\p ( individuals7 because ! individual 7or gr\p ( individuals7 does any ( ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,makes 7or ! cov]$ entity suspects ! individual or gr\p ( individuals has made or w make7 a cov]$ disclosure to-- 7,a7 a qualifi$ entity2 7,b7 a p]son ) sup]visory au?ority ov] ! individual 7or gr\p ( individuals72 or 7,c7 ano!r individual work+ = ! cov]$ entity :o ! individual 7or gr\p ( individuals7 reasonably believes has ! au?ority to inve/igate1 discov]1 or t]m9ate ! alleg$ violation 9 ! cov]$ disclosure or to take any o!r action to address su* violation4 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 conduct$ by a qualifi$ entity or a judicial or adm9i/rative proce$+ br\ght by a qualifi$ entity relat+ to a cov]$ violation4 7#c7 ,objects to1 or refuses to p>ticipate 91 any activity1 policy1 practice1 or assign$ task t ! individual 7or gr\p ( individuals7 reasonably believes is an alleg$ cov]$ violation4 7b7 ,en=cem5t 7#a7 ,cause ( action ,a :i/lebl[] :o alleges dis*>ge or o!r discrim9ation by a cov]$ entity 9 violation ( subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 may br+ an action gov]n$ by ! proc$ures & burd5s ( pro( 9 section #dgab ( title #da1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 or 7,b7 may br+ an action 9 ! appropriate di/rict c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates-- 7i7 = ! relief describ$ 9 subsection 7c72 7ii7 gov]n$ by ! burd5s ( pro( 9 section #abba7;e7 ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 & 7iii7 9 :i* ! :i/lebl[] %all be entitl$ to a trial by jury4 7#b7 ,/atute ( limitations 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,an action "u p>agraph 7#a7 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 p>agraph 7#a7 may n be br\ght m ?an #aj ye>s aft] ! date on :i* ! violation ( subsection 7a7 occurr$4 7#c7 ,waiv] ( rights & rem$ies ,! rights & rem$ies provid$ 9 ?is section may n be waiv$ by any policy1 writt5 docum5t1 or o!r condition relat+ to employm5t1 includ+ by a pr$ispute arbitration agreem5t4 7#d7 ,pr$ispute arbitration agreem5ts ,not)/&+ any o!r provision ( law1 a pr$ispute arbitration agreem5t may n be en=c$ ) respect to an action "u p>agraph 7#a74 7#e7 ,re/rictive cov5ant agreem5ts ,not)/&+ any o!r provision ( law1 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 may n be en=c$4 7c7 ,relief ,relief = any :i/lebl[] :o prevails 9 an action br\ght "u subsection 7b77#a7 %all include-- 7#a7 re9/atem5t ) ! same s5iority /atus t ! :i/lebl[] w\ld h _h b = ! dis*>ge or discrim9ation2 7#b7 #c times ! am\nt ( back pay ow$ to ! :i/lebl[]1 ) int]e/2 & 7#c7 consequ5tial & comp5satory damages & 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 by ,commission 7,a7 ,unfair or deceptive acts or practices ,a violation ( p>agraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 %all be treat$ z a violation ( a regulation "u section #ah7;a77#a77;,b7 ( ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #eg;a7a77#a77;,b77 reg>d+ unfair or deceptive acts or practices4 7,b7 ,p[]s ( ,commission ,! ,commission %all en=ce p>agraphs 7#a7 & 7#b7 9 ! same mann]1 by ! same means1 & ) ! same jurisdiction1 p[]s1 & duties z ?\gh all applicable t]ms & provisions ( ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #da et seq47 7 incorporat$ into & made a "p ( ?is subsection1 & any p]son :o violates p>agraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 %all be subject to ! p5alties & entitl$ to ! privileges & immunities provid$ 9 ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission ,act4 7e7 ,confid5tiality 7#a7 ,requirem5t ,! ,commission1 any employee ( ! ,commission1 & any o!r entity to :i* ! ,commission communicates may n disclose any in=mation provid$ to ! ,commission1 includ+ in=mation provid$ by a :i/lebl[]1 t c\ld reasonably be expect$ to reveal ! id5tity ( a :i/lebl[]4 7#b7 ,exception ,not)/&+ p>agraph 7#a71 if release ( ! in=mation describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 is requir$ by law1 ! :i/lebl[] %all receive timely advance notice be=e su* release4 7#c7 ,rules ( con/ruction ,?is p>agraph may n be con/ru$ to prohibit-- 7,a7 any disclosure describ$ 9 section #ba7;d7 ( ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #eg;b-#b7;d772 7,b7 a disclosure to any (fic] or employee ( a ,f$]al or ,/ate law en=cem5t ag5cy or a =eign law en=cem5t ag5cy "u section #f7;f7 or #ba7;b77#f7 ( ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #df7;f71 #eg;b-#b7;b77#f772 or 7,c7 a disclosure to :i* ! :i/lebl[] cons5ts4 7f7 ,rules ( con/ruction 7#a7 ,collective b>ga9+ ,no?+ 9 ?is section may be con/ru$ to dim9i% ! rights1 privileges1 or rem$ies ( any :i/lebl[] "u any ,f$]al or ,/ate law relat+ to collective b>ga9+ or "u any collective b>ga9+ agreem5t4 7#b7 ,o!r :i/lebl[] protections 7,a7 ,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 7,b7 ,not)/&+ any o!r provision ( law1 a :i/lebl[] %all be immune f civil & crim9al liability = mak+ a cov]$ disclosure if ! :i/lebl[] w\ld be protect$ f reprisal "u section 7a74 ,! :i/lebl[] %all be> ! burd5 requir$ "u subsection 7b7 ( prov+ t ! :i/lebl[] w\ld be protect$ f reprisal "u subsection 7a7 = mak+ ! disclosure4 ,?is section does n provide a def5se aga9/ activities unrelat$ to conduct protect$ "u subsection 7a74 7#c7 ,au?ority ( ,commission ,no?+ 9 ?is section may be con/ru$ to limit ! au?ority ( ! ,commission "u any o!r provision ( law4 #c4 ,inc5tives = :i/lebl[]s 7a7 ,aw>ds 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,if a :i/lebl[] 7or gr\p ( :i/lebl[]s7 volunt>ily provides to ! ,commission orig9al in=mation reg>d+ an alleg$ cov]$ violation & su* orig9al in=mation leads to ! successful resolution ( a cov]$ action1 ! ,commission1 subject to subsection 7b71 %all pay an aw>d to ! :i/lebl[] 7or gr\p ( :i/lebl[]s7 9 an aggregate am\nt (-- 7,a7 n less ?an #aj p]c5t1 9 total1 ( collect$ monet>y sanctions impos$ z a result ( ! relevant cov]$ action2 & 7,b7 n m ?an #cj p]c5t1 9 total1 ( collect$ monet>y sanctions impos$ z a result ( ! relevant cov]$ action4 7#b7 ,paym5t ( aw>ds ,any am\nt paid "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all be paid f ! ,fund4 7b7 ,det]m9ation & d5ial ( aw>ds 7#a7 ,det]m9ation ( aw>ds 7,a7 ,discretion ,! det]m9ation ( ! am\nt ( an aw>d to be made pursuant to subsection 7a7 %all be )9 ! discretion ( ! ,commission 7subject to ! requirem5ts describ$ 9 subsection 7a774 7,b7 ,crit]ia ,9 det]m9+ an aw>d to be made pursuant to subsection 7a71 ! ,commission-- 7i7 %all take into consid]ation-- 7,i7 ! significance ( ! orig9al in=mation provid$ by ! :i/lebl[] to ! successful resolution ( ! cov]$ action2 7,,ii7 ! degree ( assi/ance provid$ by ! :i/lebl[] & any legal repres5tative ( ! :i/lebl[] 9 ! cov]$ action2 & 7,,iii7 su* additional factors z ! ,commission may e/abli%2 & 7ii7 %all n take into consid]ation ! balance ( ! ,fund4 7#b7 ,d5ial ( aw>ds ,not)/&+ subsection 7a71 ! ,commission %all d5y an aw>d to any :i/lebl[] to :om an aw>d o!rwise w\ld be made pursuant to subsection 7a7 if ! :i/lebl[]-- 7,a7 is convict$ ( a crim9al violation relat$ to ! relevant cov]$ action2 7,b7 acts )\t direction f a cov]$ entity 7or an ag5t ( a cov]$ entity7 to delib]ately cause or sub/antially contribute to ! alleg$ cov]$ violation und]ly+ ! relevant cov]$ action2 7,c7 fails to provide ! relevant orig9al in=mation to ! ,commission 9 ! =m ! ,commission requires2 & 7,d7 01 at ! "t ! :i/lebl[] acquir$ ! relevant orig9al in=mation1 a memb]1 (fic]1 or employee ( ! ,commission or a law en=cem5t ag5cy & acquir$ ! in=mation :ile act+ 9 ! normal c\rse ( ! employm5t duties ( ! :i/lebl[]4 7c7 ,repres5tation 7#a7 ,p]mitt$ repres5tation ,a :i/lebl[] may be repres5t$ by c\nsel4 7#b7 ,requir$ repres5tation 7,a7 ,anonym\s claims ,any :i/lebl[] :o anonym\sly makes a claim = an aw>d "u subsection 7a7 %all be repres5t$ by c\nsel if ! :i/lebl[] anonym\sly submits ! orig9al in=mation ^u :i* ! claim is bas$4 7,b7 ,disclosure ( id5tity ,be=e ! paym5t ( an aw>d describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a71 ! :i/lebl[] %all disclose ! id5tity ( ! :i/lebl[] & provide su* o!r in=mation z ! ,commission may require1 directly or ?r\gh c\nsel = ! :i/lebl[]4 7d7 ,no contract necess>y ,a contract ) ! ,commission is n necess>y = a :i/lebl[] to receive an aw>d pursuant to 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 kn[+ly & int5tionally makes or uses any false writ+ or docum5t conta9+ any false1 fictiti\s1 or fraudul5t /atem5t or entry1 may n receive an aw>d pursuant to subsection 7a74 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* ! 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 ,f$]al ,trade ,commission ,consum] ,protection ,fund 7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,!re is e/abli%$ 9 ! ,treasury ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates a ,fund to be kn[n z ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission ,consum] ,protection ,fund4 7#b7 ,use ( ,fund ,! ,fund %all be available to ! ,commission1 )\t fur!r appropriation or fiscal ye> limitation1 9 ord] to pay = aw>ds made to :i/lebl[]s pursuant to subsection 7a74 7#c7 ,deposits & cr$its 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,!re %all be deposit$ into or cr$it$ to ! ,fund an am\nt equal to any monet>y sanctions collect$ by ! ,commission 9 any cov]$ action1 unless ! balance ( ! ,fund at ! "t ! monet>y sanction is collect$ exce$s #ejj1jjj1jjj4 7,b7 ,additional am\nts ,if ! am\nts deposit$ into or cr$it$ to ! ,fund "u subp>agraph 7,a7 are n suffici5t to pay an aw>d made pursuant to subsection 7a71 !re %all be deposit$ into or cr$it$ to ! ,fund an am\nt equal to ! unsatisfi$ portion ( ! aw>d f any monet>y sanctions collect$ by ! ,commission 9 ! cov]$ action on :i* ! aw>d is bas$4 7#d7 ,inve/m5ts 7,a7 ,am\nts 9 ,fund ,! ,commission may reque/ ! ,secret>y ( ! ,treasury to inve/ ! portion ( ! ,fund t is n requir$ to meet ! curr5t ne$s ( ! ,fund 7z det]m9$ by ! ,commission74 7,b7 ,eligible inve/m5ts ,inve/m5ts %all be made by ! ,secret>y ( ! ,treasury 9 obligations ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates or obligations t are gu>ante$ z to pr9cipal & int]e/ by ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ) maturities suitable to ! ne$s ( ! ,fund 7z det]m9$ by ! ,commission74 7,c7 ,int]e/ & proce$s cr$it$ ,! int]e/ on1 & ! proce$s f1 ! sale or r$emption ( any obligations held 9 ! ,fund %all be cr$it$ to1 & =m a "p (1 ! ,fund4 7#e7 ,reports to ,congress ,n lat] ?an ,octob] #cj ( ea* ye>1 ! ,commission %all submit to ! ,committee on ,en]gy & ,comm]ce ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & ! ,committee on ,comm]ce1 ,sci5ce1 & ,transportation ( ! ,s5ate a report on-- 7,a7 ! :i/lebl[] aw>d program e/abli%$ "u ?is section1 includ+ a description ( ! numb] ( aw>ds made pursuant to subsection 7a7 & ! types ( cases 9 :i* su* aw>ds 7 made dur+ ! prec$+ fiscal ye>2 7,b7 ! balance ( ! ,fund at ! beg9n+ ( ! prec$+ fiscal ye>2 7,c7 ! am\nts deposit$ into or cr$it$ to ! ,fund dur+ ! prec$+ fiscal ye>2 7,d7 ! am\nt ( e>n+s on inve/m5ts ( am\nts 9 ! ,fund dur+ ! prec$+ fiscal ye>2 7,e7 ! am\nt paid f ! ,fund to pay = aw>ds made to :i/lebl[]s pursuant to subsection 7a7 dur+ ! prec$+ fiscal ye>2 7,f7 ! balance ( ! ,fund at ! end ( ! prec$+ fiscal ye>2 & 7,g7 a complete set ( audit$ f9ancial /atem5ts1 includ+ a balance %eet1 income /atem5t1 & ca% fl[ analysis4 7h7 ,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[]-- 7,a7 may receive an aw>d pursuant to subsection 7a7 reg>dless ( :e!r ! alleg$ cov]$ violation und]ly+ ! cov]$ action occurr$ be=e ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act2 & 7,b7 may receive an aw>d pursuant to subsection 7a7 be=e ! ,commission promulgates any regulation pursuant to ?is ,act4 #d4 ,rulemak+ ,! ,commission may promulgate1 "u section #eec ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 any regulations ! ,commission det]m9es necess>y to c>ry out ! 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 action or proce$+1 includ+ any relat$ adm9i/rative or judicial action1 br\ght by ! ,commission1 or by ! ,attorney ,g5]al on behalf ( ! ,commission1 9 relation to a cov]$ violation & t 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 an alleg$ cov]$ violation1 includ+ su* a communication or transmission ( su* a violation t is "p ( ! normal employm5t duties ( ! individual4 7#d7 ,cov]$ entity ,! t]m cov]$ entity means an entity or individual t is subject to ! jurisdiction ( ! ,commission4 7#e7 ,cov]$ violation ,! t]m cov]$ violation means-- 7,a7 a violation ( any law1 rule1 or regulation en=c$ by ! ,commission2 or 7,b7 a violation ( any ord] ( ! ,commission aft] su* ord] has become f9al & :ile su* ord] is 9 effect4 7#f7 ,fund ,! t]m ,fund means ! ,f$]al ,trade ,commission ,consum] ,protection ,fund e/abli%$ pursuant to section #c7;g74 7#g7 ,monet>y sanctions ,! t]m monet>y sanctions1 ) respect to a cov]$ action-- 7,a7 means monies1 includ+ p5alties1 disgorgem5t1 or int]e/1 ord]$ or agre$ to be paid z a result ( su* action2 & 7,b7 does n include re/itution 7z det]m9$ by ! ,commission7 = losses (1 or relief necess>y to r$ress injury to1 consum]s1 o!r p]sons1 p>tn]%ips1 & corporations4 7#h7 ,orig9al in=mation ,! t]m orig9al in=mation means in=mation t-- 7,a7 is d]iv$ f ! indep5d5t k or analysis ( a :i/lebl[]2 7,b7 is n kn[n to ! ,commission f any o!r s\rce1 unless ! :i/lebl[] 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$ia1 unless ! :i/lebl[] is a s\rce ( ! in=mation4 7#i7 ,qualifi$ entity ,! t]m qualifi$ entity means-- 7,a7 ! ,commission2 7,b7 an ag5cy 7z def9$ 9 section #eea ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code7 or a law en=cem5t ag5cy2 or 7,c7 any ,memb] ( ,congress or committee ( ,congress4 7#aj7 ,relat$ adm9i/rative or judicial action ,! t]ms relat$ adm9i/rative action & relat$ judicial action include any action br\ght by any appropriate ,f$]al au?ority1 a ,/ate attorney g5]al 9 connection ) any crim9al inve/igation1 or any appropriate ,/ate regulatory au?ority t is bas$ ^u ! orig9al in=mation provid$ by a :i/lebl[] t leads to ! successful en=cem5t ( ! action by ! ,commission or ! ,attorney ,g5]al on behalf ( ! ,commission4 7#aa7 ,: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 ( ! cov]$ entity & :o engages 9 any ( ! conduct describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a71 7#b71 or 7#c7 ( section #b7;a71 includ+ z "p ( ! employm5t duties ( su* individual or gr\p2 or 7,b7 any p]son t assi/s any su* individual or gr\p ) su* conduct4