1.Protection of certain disclosures of
information by Federal employees
(a)This Act may be cited as the
Whistleblower Protection Enhancement
Act of 2009
.
(b)Clarification of disclosures
covered
(1)Section 2302(b)(8) of
title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(A)in subparagraph (A)—
(i)by striking which the employee or
applicant reasonably believes evidences
and inserting , without
restriction to time, place, form, motive, context, forum, or prior disclosure
made to any person by an employee or applicant, including a disclosure made in
the ordinary course of an employee’s duties, that the employee or applicant
reasonably believes is evidence of
;
(ii)in clause (i), by striking a
violation
and inserting any violation
; and
(iii)by striking or
at the
end;
(B)in subparagraph (B)—
(i)by striking which the employee or
applicant reasonably believes evidences
and inserting , without
restriction to time, place, form, motive, context, forum, or prior disclosure
made to any person by an employee or applicant, including a disclosure made in
the ordinary course of an employee’s duties, of information that the employee
or applicant reasonably believes is evidence of
;
(ii)in clause (i), by striking a
violation
and inserting any violation (other than a violation of
this section)
; and
(iii)in clause (ii), by adding or
at the end; and
(C)by adding at the end the following:
(C)any disclosure that—
(i)is made by an employee or applicant of
information required by law or Executive order to be kept secret in the
interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs that the
employee or applicant reasonably believes is direct and specific evidence
of—
(I)any violation of any law, rule, or
regulation;
(II)gross mismanagement, a gross waste of
funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public
health or safety; or
(III)a false statement to Congress on an issue
of material fact; and
(ii)is made to—
(I)a member of a committee of Congress having
a primary responsibility for oversight of a department, agency, or element of
the Federal Government to which the disclosed information relates and who is
authorized to receive information of the type disclosed;
(II)any other Member of Congress who is
authorized to receive information of the type disclosed; or
(III)an employee of Congress who has the
appropriate security clearance and is authorized to receive information of the
type
disclosed.
.
(2)Prohibited
personnel practices under Section
2302(b)(9)
(A)Technical and
conforming amendmentsTitle 5, United States Code, is amended in
subsections (a)(3), (b)(4)(A), and (b)(4)(B)(i) of section 1214, in subsections
(a), (e)(1) and (i) of section 1221, and in subsection (a)(2)(C)(i) of 2302 by
inserting or 2302(b)(9) (B) through (D)
after section
2302(b)(8)
or (b)(8)
each place it appears.
(B)Title 5, United States Code, is amended in subsection
(b)(4)(B)(i) of section 1214 and in subsection (e)(1) of section 1221 by
inserting or protected activity
after disclosure
each place it appears.
(c)
(1)Section 2302(a)(2) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended—
(A)in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking
and
at the end;
(B)in subparagraph (C)(iii), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
(C)by adding at the end the following:
(D)disclosure means a formal or
informal communication or transmission, but does not include a communication
concerning policy decisions that lawfully exercise discretionary authority
unless the employee or applicant providing the disclosure reasonably believes
that the disclosure evidences—
(i)any violation of any law, rule, or
regulation; or
(ii)gross mismanagement, a gross waste of
funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public
health or
safety.
.
(2)Clear and
convincing evidenceSections 1214(b)(4)(B)(ii) and 1221(e)(2) of
title 5, United States Code, are amended by adding at the end the following:
For purposes of the preceding sentence, clear and convincing
evidence means evidence indicating that the matter to be proved is
highly probable or reasonably certain.
.
(d)Section 2302(b) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by amending the matter following paragraph (12) to read as
follows:
This subsection shall not be
construed to authorize the withholding of information from Congress or the
taking of any personnel action against an employee who discloses information to
Congress. For purposes of paragraph (8), any presumption relating to the
performance of a duty by an employee who has authority to take, direct others
to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action may be rebutted by
substantial evidence. For purposes of paragraph (8), a determination as to
whether an employee or applicant reasonably believes that they have disclosed
information that evidences any violation of law, rule, regulation, gross
mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial
and specific danger to public health or safety shall be made by determining
whether a disinterested observer with knowledge of the essential facts known to
and readily ascertainable by the employee could reasonably conclude that the
actions of the Government evidence such violations, mismanagement, waste,
abuse, or
danger..
(e)Personnel actions and prohibited personnel
practices
(1)Section 2302(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended—
(A)in clause (x), by striking
and
after the semicolon; and
(B)by redesignating clause (xi) as clause
(xiv) and inserting after clause (x) the following:
(xi)the implementation or enforcement of any
nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement;
(xii)a suspension, revocation, or other
determination relating to a security clearance or any other access
determination by a covered agency;
(xiii)an investigation, other than any
ministerial or nondiscretionary fact finding activities necessary for the
agency to perform its mission, of an employee or applicant for employment
because of any activity protected under this section;
and
(2)Prohibited personnel practiceSection 2302(b) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended—
(A)in paragraph (11), by striking
or
at the end;
(B)in paragraph (12), by striking the period
and inserting a semicolon; and
(C)by inserting after paragraph (12) the
following:
(13)implement or enforce any nondisclosure
policy, form, or agreement, if such policy, form, or agreement does not contain
the following statement: These provisions are consistent with and do not
supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee obligations, rights,
or liabilities created by Executive Order No. 12958; section 7211 of title 5,
United States Code (governing disclosures to Congress); section 1034 of title
10, United States Code (governing disclosure to Congress by members of the
military); section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code (governing
disclosures of illegality, waste, fraud, abuse, or public health or safety
threats); the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 (50 U.S.C. 421 et
seq.) (governing disclosures that could expose confidential Government agents);
and the statutes which protect against disclosures that could compromise
national security, including sections 641, 793, 794, 798, and 952 of title 18,
United States Code, and section 4(b) of the Subversive Activities Control Act
of 1950 (50 U.S.C.
783(b)). The definitions, requirements, obligations, rights,
sanctions, and liabilities created by such Executive order and such statutory
provisions are incorporated into this agreement and are controlling
;
or
(14)conduct, or cause to be conducted, an
investigation, other than any ministerial or nondiscretionary fact finding
activities necessary for the agency to perform its mission, of an employee or
applicant for employment because of any activity protected under this
section.
.
(f)Exclusion of agencies by the
PresidentSection
2302(a)(2)(C) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking clause
(ii) and inserting the following:
(ii)(I)the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency; and
(II)as determined by the President, any
executive agency or unit thereof the principal function of which is the conduct
of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities, if the determination
(as that determination relates to a personnel action) is made before that
personnel action;
or
.
(g)Section 1215(a)(3) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
(3)(A)A final order of the Board may
impose—
(i)disciplinary action consisting of removal,
reduction in grade, debarment from Federal employment for a period not to
exceed 5 years, suspension, or reprimand;
(ii)an assessment of a civil penalty not to
exceed $1,000; or
(iii)any combination of disciplinary actions
described under clause (i) and an assessment described under clause
(ii).
(B)In any case in which the Board finds that
an employee has committed a prohibited personnel practice under paragraph (8)
or (9) of section 2302(b), the Board shall impose disciplinary action if the
Board finds that the activity protected under paragraph (8) or (9) of section
2302(b) was a significant motivating factor, even if other factors also
motivated the decision, for the employee’s decision to take, fail to take, or
threaten to take or fail to take a personnel action, unless that employee
demonstrates, by preponderance of evidence, that the employee would have taken,
failed to take, or threatened to take or fail to take the same personnel
action, in the absence of such protected
activity.
.
(h)
(1)Section 1204(m)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by striking agency involved
and inserting agency
where the prevailing party is employed or has applied for
employment
.
(2)Sections
1214(g)(2) and 1221(g)(1)(A)(ii) of title 5, United States Code, are amended by
striking all after travel expenses,
and inserting any
other reasonable and foreseeable consequential damages, and compensatory
damages (including attorney's fees, interest, reasonable expert witness fees,
and costs).
each place it appears.
(i)
(1)Section 7703(b)(1) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
(b)(1)(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and
paragraph (2), a petition to review a final order or final decision of the
Board shall be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any petition for review
must be filed within 60 days after the date the petitioner received notice of
the final order or decision of the Board.
(B)During the 5-year period beginning on the
effective date of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2009, a
petition to review a final order or final decision of the Board in a case
alleging a violation of paragraph (8) or (9) of section 2302(b) shall be filed
in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or any court of
appeals of competent jurisdiction as provided under subsection
(b)(2).
.
(2)Review obtained by office of personnel
managementSection 7703(d) of
title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
(d)(1)Except as provided under paragraph (2),
this paragraph shall apply to any review obtained by the Director of the Office
of Personnel Management. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management may
obtain review of any final order or decision of the Board by filing, within 60
days after the date the Director received notice of the final order or decision
of the Board, a petition for judicial review in the United States Court of
Appeals for the Federal Circuit if the Director determines, in his discretion,
that the Board erred in interpreting a civil service law, rule, or regulation
affecting personnel management and that the Board’s decision will have a
substantial impact on a civil service law, rule, regulation, or policy
directive. If the Director did not intervene in a matter before the Board, the
Director may not petition for review of a Board decision under this section
unless the Director first petitions the Board for a reconsideration of its
decision, and such petition is denied. In addition to the named respondent, the
Board and all other parties to the proceedings before the Board shall have the
right to appear in the proceeding before the Court of Appeals. The granting of
the petition for judicial review shall be at the discretion of the Court of
Appeals.
(2)During the 5-year period beginning on the
effective date of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2009, this
paragraph shall apply to any review relating to paragraph (8) or (9) of section
2302(b) obtained by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. The
Director of the Office of Personnel Management may obtain review of any final
order or decision of the Board by filing, within 60 days after the date the
Director received notice of the final order or decision of the Board, a
petition for judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit or any court of appeals of competent jurisdiction as provided
under subsection (b)(2) if the Director determines, in his discretion, that the
Board erred in interpreting paragraph (8) or (9) of section 2302(b). If the
Director did not intervene in a matter before the Board, the Director may not
petition for review of a Board decision under this section unless the Director
first petitions the Board for a reconsideration of its decision, and such
petition is denied. In addition to the named respondent, the Board and all
other parties to the proceedings before the Board shall have the right to
appear in the proceeding before the court of appeals. The granting of the
petition for judicial review shall be at the discretion of the Court of
Appeals.
.
(j)Merit system
protection board review of security clearances
(1)Chapter 77 of title 5, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after section 7702 the following:
7702a.Actions relating to security
clearances
(a)In any appeal relating to the suspension,
revocation, or other determination relating to a security clearance or access
determination, the Merit Systems Protection Board or any reviewing
court—
(1)shall determine whether paragraph (8) or
(9) of section 2302(b) was violated;
(2)may not order the President or the designee
of the President to restore a security clearance or otherwise reverse a
determination of clearance status or reverse an access determination;
and
(3)subject to paragraph (2), may issue
declaratory relief and any other appropriate relief.
(b)(1)If, in any final judgment, the Board or
court declares that any suspension, revocation, or other determination with
regard to a security clearance or access determination was made in violation of
paragraph (8) or (9) of section 2302(b), the affected agency shall conduct a
review of that suspension, revocation, access determination, or other
determination, giving great weight to the Board or court judgment.
(2)Not later than 30 days after any Board or
court judgment declaring that a security clearance suspension, revocation,
access determination, or other determination was made in violation of paragraph
(8) or (9) of section 2302(b), the affected agency shall issue an unclassified
report to the congressional committees of jurisdiction (with a classified annex
if necessary), detailing the circumstances of the agency’s security clearance
suspension, revocation, other determination, or access determination. A report
under this paragraph shall include any proposed agency action with regard to
the security clearance or access determination.
(c)An allegation that a security clearance or
access determination was revoked or suspended in retaliation for a protected
disclosure shall receive expedited review by the Office of Special Counsel, the
Merit Systems Protection Board, and any reviewing court.
(d)For purposes of this section, corrective
action may not be ordered if the agency demonstrates by a preponderance of the
evidence that it would have taken the same personnel action in the absence of
such
disclosure.
.
(2)Technical and conforming
amendmentThe table of
sections for chapter 77 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 7702 the following:
7702a. Actions relating
to security
clearances.
.
(k)Prohibited
personnel practices affecting the Transportation Security
Administration
(1)Chapter 23 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended—
(A)by redesignating
sections 2304 and 2305 as sections 2305 and 2306, respectively; and
(B)by inserting after
section 2303 the following:
2304.Prohibited personnel practices affecting
the Transportation Security Administration
(a)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any
individual holding or applying for a position within the Transportation
Security Administration shall be covered by—
(1)the provisions of
section 2302(b)(1), (8), and (9);
(2)any provision of
law implementing section 2302(b) (1), (8), or (9) by providing any right or
remedy available to an employee or applicant for employment in the civil
service; and
(3)any rule or
regulation prescribed under any provision of law referred to in paragraph (1)
or (2).
(b)Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect
any rights, apart from those described in subsection (a), to which an
individual described in subsection (a) might otherwise be entitled under
law.
.
(2)Technical and
conforming amendmentThe table of sections for chapter 23 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking the items relating to
sections 2304 and 2305, respectively, and by inserting the following:
Sec. 2304. Prohibited personnel
practices affecting the Transportation Security Administration.
Sec. 2305. Responsibility of the
Government Accountability Office.
Sec. 2306. Coordination with certain
other provisions of
law.
.
(3)The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the
date of enactment of this section.
(l)Disclosure of
censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information
(1)In
this section—
(A)the term
applicant means an applicant for a covered position;
(B)the term
censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information
means any effort to alter, misrepresent, or suppress research, analysis, or
technical information;
(C)the term
covered position has the meaning given under section 2302(a)(2)(B)
of title 5, United States Code;
(D)the term
employee means an employee in a covered position; and
(E)the term
disclosure has the meaning given under section 2302(a)(2)(D) of
title 5, United States Code.
(2)
(A)Any disclosure of information by an employee or applicant
for employment that the employee or applicant reasonably believes is evidence
of censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information shall
come within the protections of section 2302(b)(8)(A) of title 5, United States
Code, if—
(i)the employee or
applicant reasonably believes that the censorship related to research,
analysis, or technical information is or will cause—
(I)any violation of
law, rule, or regulation; or
(II)gross
mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial
and specific danger to public health or safety;
(ii)the disclosure
and information satisfy the conditions stated in the matter following clause
(ii) of section 2302(b)(8)(A) of title 5, United States Code; and
(iii)shall come
within the protections of section 2302(b)(8)(B) of title 5, United States Code,
if—
(I)the conditions
under clause (i) of this subparagraph are satisfied; and
(II)the disclosure is
made to an individual referred to in the matter preceding clause (i) of section
2302(b)(8)(B) of title 5, United States Code, for the receipt of
disclosures.
(B)Paragraph
(1) shall apply to any disclosure of information by an employee or applicant
without restriction to time, place, form, motive, context, forum, or prior
disclosure made to any person by an employee or applicant, including a
disclosure made in the ordinary course of an employee’s duties.
(C)Nothing in this section shall be construed to imply
any limitation on the protections of employees and applicants afforded by any
other provision of law, including protections with respect to any disclosure of
information believed to be evidence of censorship related to research,
analysis, or technical information.
(m)Clarification of whistleblower rights for
critical infrastructure informationSection 214(c) of the Homeland Security Act
of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 133(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
For purposes of this section a permissible use of independently obtained
information includes the disclosure of such information under section
2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code.
.
(n)Advising employees of rightsSection 2302(c) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by inserting , including how to make a lawful
disclosure of information that is specifically required by law or Executive
order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of
foreign affairs to the Special Counsel, the Inspector General of an agency,
Congress, or other agency employee designated to receive such
disclosures
after chapter 12 of this title
.
(o)Special Counsel amicus curiae
appearanceSection 1212 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
(h)(1)The Special Counsel is authorized to appear
as amicus curiae in any action brought in a court of the United States related
to any civil action brought in connection with section 2302(b) (8) or (9), or
subchapter III of chapter 73, or as otherwise authorized by law. In any such
action, the Special Counsel is authorized to present the views of the Special
Counsel with respect to compliance with section 2302(b) (8) or (9) or
subchapter III of chapter 73 and the impact court decisions would have on the
enforcement of such provisions of law.
(2)A court of the United States shall grant
the application of the Special Counsel to appear in any such action for the
purposes described in subsection
(a).
.
(p)
(1)Section 1214(b)(4)(B)(ii) of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by inserting , after a finding that a
protected disclosure was a contributing factor,
after ordered
if
.
(2)Section 1221(e)(2) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by inserting , after a finding that a protected
disclosure was a contributing factor,
after ordered
if
.
(q)Nondisclosure policies, forms, and
agreements
(1)
(A)Each agreement in Standard Forms 312 and
4414 of the Government and any other nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement
of the Government shall contain the following statement: These
restrictions are consistent with and do not supersede, conflict with, or
otherwise alter the employee obligations, rights, or liabilities created by
Executive Order No. 12958; section 7211 of title 5, United States Code
(governing disclosures to Congress); section 1034 of title 10, United States
Code (governing disclosure to Congress by members of the military); section
2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code (governing disclosures of illegality,
waste, fraud, abuse or public health or safety threats); the Intelligence
Identities Protection Act of 1982 (50 U.S.C. 421 et
seq.) (governing disclosures that could expose confidential Government agents);
and the statutes which protect against disclosure that may compromise the
national security, including sections 641, 793, 794, 798, and 952 of title 18,
United States Code, and section 4(b) of the Subversive Activities Act of 1950
(50 U.S.C.
783(b)). The definitions, requirements, obligations, rights,
sanctions, and liabilities created by such Executive order and such statutory
provisions are incorporated into this agreement and are
controlling.
.
(B)Any nondisclosure policy, form, or
agreement described under subparagraph (A) that does not contain the statement
required under subparagraph (A) may not be implemented or enforced to the
extent such policy, form, or agreement is inconsistent with that
statement.
(2)Persons other than government
employeesNotwithstanding
paragraph (1), a nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement that is to be
executed by a person connected with the conduct of an intelligence or
intelligence-related activity, other than an employee or officer of the United
States Government, may contain provisions appropriate to the particular
activity for which such document is to be used. Such form or agreement shall,
at a minimum, require that the person will not disclose any classified
information received in the course of such activity unless specifically
authorized to do so by the United States Government. Such nondisclosure forms
shall also make it clear that such forms do not bar disclosures to Congress or
to an authorized official of an executive agency or the Department of Justice
that are essential to reporting a substantial violation of law.
(r)
(1)Government
Accountability Office
(A)
(i)Not
later than 40 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General shall submit a report to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform of the House of Representatives on the implementation of this
Act.
(ii)The
report under this paragraph shall include—
(I)an analysis of any
changes in the number of cases filed with the United States Merit Systems
Protection Board alleging violations of section 2302(b)(8) or (9) of title 5,
United States Code, since the effective date of the Act;
(II)the outcome of
the cases described under clause (i), including whether or not the United
States Merit Systems Protection Board, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, or
any other court determined the allegations to be frivolous or malicious;
and
(III)any other matter
as determined by the Comptroller General.
(B)Study on
revocation of security clearances
(i)The
Comptroller General shall conduct a study of security clearance revocations of
Federal employees at a select sample of executive branch agencies. The study
shall consist of an examination of the number of security clearances revoked,
the process employed by each agency in revoking a clearance, the pay and
employment status of agency employees during the revocation process, how often
such revocations result in termination of employment or reassignment, how often
such revocations are based on an improper disclosure of information, and such
other factors the Comptroller General deems appropriate.
(ii)Not
later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of
the House of Representatives a report on the results of the study required
under this subparagraph.
(2)Merit Systems
Protection Board
(A)Each report submitted annually by the Merit Systems
Protection Board under section 1116 of title 31, United States Code, shall,
with respect to the period covered by such report, include as an addendum the
following:
(i)Information
relating to the outcome of cases decided during the applicable year of the
report in which violations of section 2302(b)(8) or (9) of title 5, United
States Code, were alleged.
(ii)The number of
such cases filed in the regional and field offices, the number of petitions for
review filed in such cases, and the outcomes of such cases.
(B)The first report described under subparagraph (A)
submitted after the date of enactment of this Act shall include an addendum
required under that subparagraph that covers the period beginning on January 1,
2009 through the end of the fiscal year 2009.
(s)This Act shall take
effect 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
1.This Act may be cited as the
Whistleblower Protection Enhancement
Act of 2009
.
<enum>I</enum><header>Protection of certain
disclosures of information by Federal employees</header>
<section id="ID730f48aa28104cb59647acda13500756"><enum>101.</enum><header>Clarification of
disclosures covered</header>
<subsection id="ID96a2e025c1f0403a8b65d48bf007307e"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idC4F835A428CA480BA9595EFD396CF2FE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph
(A)(i)—</text>
<subparagraph id="idF490127CE75545C3986C2544F072260B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>a
violation</quote> and inserting <quote>any violation</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1F2C96D6933248A48A3AA2CBAE59D685"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by adding <quote>except
for an alleged violation that is a minor, inadvertent violation, and occurs
during the conscientious carrying out of official duties,</quote> after
<quote>regulation,</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idE230D196477B4D28927AB9183AB9F957"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph
(B)(i)—</text>
<subparagraph id="idCEDC9B1324654E53B70067AA900CE1E1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>a
violation</quote> and inserting <quote>any violation (other than a violation of
this section)</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDc65a81dc3f4b42d3a4197be9824d709b"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by adding <quote>except
for an alleged violation that is a minor, inadvertent violation, and occurs
during the conscientious carrying out of official duties,</quote> after
regulation,”.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID32650fe4b284459aa67874d53270f848"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Prohibited personnel
practices under section 2302(b)(9)</header>
<paragraph id="IDccb042953f414d0bba81a80d1bedc3f6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Technical and
conforming amendments</header><text>Title 5, United States Code, is amended in
subsections (a)(3), (b)(4)(A), and (b)(4)(B)(i) of section 1214, in subsections
(a), (e)(1), and (i) of section 1221, and in subsection (a)(2)(C)(i) of section
2302, by inserting <quote>or section 2302(b)(9)(A)(i), (B)(i), (C), or
(D)</quote> after <quote>section 2302(b)(8)</quote> or <quote>(b)(8)</quote>
each place it appears.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDce85588b1f2246d294f4935c9bda52fb"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Other
references</header><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idF6BE45FE1AA2415D8FA2871CBEF4CF17"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Title 5, United States
Code, is amended in subsection (b)(4)(B)(i) of section 1214 and in subsection
(e)(1) of section 1221, by inserting <quote>or protected activity</quote> after
<quote>disclosure</quote> each place it appears.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id3C860A275BE940CCA4FCAA497F44FB3C" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Section 2302(b)(9) of
title 5, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<clause id="id22316AD76EB7423EBC01A4D822047783"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking subparagraph
(A)and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id15324D05AD0A4B6E82D67D7C392EBA6C" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subparagraph id="id3CA3255ACB864C75B324283D4C889F5C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the exercise of any
appeal, complaint, or grievance right granted by any law, rule, or
regulation—</text>
<clause id="id1D411C7DB8F64858984DCB9D747BE171"><enum>(i)</enum><text>with regard to remedying
a violation of paragraph (8); or</text>
</clause><clause id="id59BFA30057D948A08F984717D988A457"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>with regard to remedying
a violation of any other law, rule, or
regulation;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and
</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="idCED73AE42F2643DBAC00CB3BBAA17262"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B), by
inserting <quote>(i) or (ii)</quote> after <quote>subparagraph
(A)</quote>.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idC3E281F9A0414932BF4A1959527D388E" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Section 2302 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF0543888DDBC46C6869F9D86EC86CA98" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subsection id="ID4fe0a99b118b4ae8a54990a77fb9d594"><enum>(f)</enum><text>A disclosure shall not be
excluded from subsection (b)(8) because—</text>
<paragraph id="idCBFBE5EE0202404794F74E1D85455D1C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the disclosure was made
during the normal course of the duties of the employee;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDe1d7c980e0954a7eb2b2d0998a90fba5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the disclosure was made
to a person, including a supervisor, who participated in an activity that the
employee or applicant reasonably believed to be covered by subsection
(b)(8)(A)(ii);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID9fc710de1441468c9079db28109687e4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the disclosure revealed
information that had been previously disclosed;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID44148e20bdbe422698484d07ff04a093"><enum>(4)</enum><text>of the employee or
applicant's motive for making the disclosure;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd6d742b7174e4af3b1ae83b76ff2627e"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the disclosure was not
made in writing;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3031418502884dce80535a71e42a1a54"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the disclosure was made
while the employee was off duty; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5b374b54e18a4a638adb8ce097a9159e"><enum>(7)</enum><text>of the amount of time
which has passed since the occurrence of the events described in the
disclosure.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id20F80763EE884EA68F056EB8BFF51A61"><enum>102.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Definitional amendments</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5A15DD17EC5F481B990D60A241C359F2"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Disclosures</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 2302(a)(2) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB135B5E0960A42BD8BE4713982BE12ED"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking
<quote>and</quote> at the end;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA404B19A981148C89C7DD1D7B0E16C54"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subparagraph (C)(iii), by striking the
period at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id12B3E6F9B1FC49E9A237AD84D8CEA8BA"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id66E7473389C2415E95AF6622BEA2918A" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4F59FE854CF8485A9A97ED746388BA34" indent="up1"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"><term>disclosure</term> means a formal or
informal communication or transmission, but does not include a communication
concerning policy decisions that lawfully exercise discretionary authority
unless the employee or applicant providing the disclosure reasonably believes
that the disclosure evidences—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id75FC40136613419D962FA204DAA44521"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any violation of any law, rule, or
regulation, except for an alleged violation that is a minor, inadvertent
violation, and occurs during the conscientious carrying out of official duties;
or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1B8D3445F6954AADA63F86B55025A6F2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">gross mismanagement, a gross waste of
funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public
health or
safety.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID77747610b68e4953bcd32692c5bd18e0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Clear and convincing
evidence</header><text>Sections 1214(b)(4)(B)(ii) and 1221(e)(2) of title 5,
United States Code, are amended by adding at the end the following: <quote>For
purposes of the preceding sentence, <term>clear and convincing evidence</term>
means the degree of proof that produces in the mind of the trier of fact a firm
belief as to the allegations sought to be established.</quote>.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID4424fd2bdb5445bb8a3e8b3a834e228f"><enum>103.</enum><header>Rebuttable
presumption</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 2302(b) of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by amending the matter following
paragraph (12) to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id73267F6780A64448B60921AB89F48C30" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<quoted-block-continuation-text changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" quoted-block-continuation-text-level="subsection" reported-display-style="italic">This
subsection shall not be construed to authorize the withholding of information
from Congress or the taking of any personnel action against an employee who
discloses information to Congress. For purposes of paragraph (8), any
presumption relating to the performance of a duty by an employee who has
authority to take or direct others to take, recommend, or approve any personnel
action may be rebutted by substantial evidence. For purposes of paragraph (8),
a determination as to whether an employee or applicant reasonably believes that
such employee or applicant has disclosed information that evidences any
violation of law, rule, regulation, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of
funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public
health or safety shall be made by determining whether a disinterested observer
with knowledge of the essential facts known to and readily ascertainable by the
employee could reasonably conclude that the actions of the Government evidence
such violations, mismanagement, waste, abuse, or
danger.</quoted-block-continuation-text><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section id="ID40b566d6f5b141bcad023b228cfba60f"><enum>104.</enum><header>Personnel actions and
prohibited personnel practices</header>
<subsection id="ID4030c64e13724e7c91a25a3a6a1b7e23"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Personnel
action</header><text>Section 2302(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID823c9e04feeb4a1bbdc5249e16fb5b00"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in clause (x), by
striking <quote>and</quote> after the semicolon; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDf5de33427d0641dd91f1951dd1d580a5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating clause
(xi) as clause (xii) and inserting after clause (x) the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2AB83B0CB6734BE794DBCD5AC473CAC6" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<clause id="ID994d7dd308c84878a6ab6aaaa500a17b"><enum>(xi)</enum><text>the implementation or
enforcement of any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement;
and</text>
</clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID841fb437968c406a868797d0b1e9c1fa"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Prohibited personnel
practice</header>
<paragraph id="id42D4E6F5FFA54CB995282D52620ACBA1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 2302(b) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID60fdb9916a0b41f9a8c7aee4c7377fcc"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (11), by
striking <quote>or</quote> at the end;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDcff1e48d1d8548dcac613c89d9abcff0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (12), by
striking the period and inserting <quote>; or</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5ea69a09825c4583846e562c9aedc0fd"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by inserting after
paragraph (12) the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5F5EEC57104C4EDA873BE8D3EECDE96D" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="ID1c0f0f3046b54b3e97e895bdec3faf70"><enum>(13)</enum><text>implement or enforce any
nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement, if such policy, form, or agreement
does not contain the following statement: <quote>These provisions are
consistent with and do not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the
employee obligations, rights, or liabilities created by Executive Order No.
12958; section 7211 of title 5, United States Code (governing disclosures to
Congress); section 1034 of title 10, United States Code (governing disclosure
to Congress by members of the military); section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United
States Code (governing disclosures of illegality, waste, fraud, abuse, or
public health or safety threats); the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of
1982 (50 U.S.C. 421 et seq.) (governing disclosures that could expose
confidential Government agents); and the statutes which protect against
disclosures that could compromise national security, including sections 641,
793, 794, 798, and 952 of title 18, United States Code, and section 4(b) of the
Subversive Activities Control Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 783(b)). The definitions,
requirements, obligations, rights, sanctions, and liabilities created by such
Executive order and such statutory provisions are incorporated into this
agreement and are
controlling.</quote></text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id0D4CE9690C39470E84DE5F101CD53C0F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Nondisclosure policy,
form, or agreement in effect before the date of enactment</header><text>A
nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement that was in effect before the date of
enactment of this Act, but that does not contain the statement required under
section 2302(b)(13) of title 5, United States Code, (as added by this Act) for
implementation or enforcement—</text>
<subparagraph id="id03400FEAE81744B7A2E06D6DC21F0E2E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>may be enforced with
regard to a current employee if the agency gives such employee notice of the
statement; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFE2610E6BB924EDBA526A3F251673A03"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may continue to be
enforced after the effective date of this Act with regard to a former employee
if the agency posts notice of the statement on the agency website for the
1-year period following that effective date.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID3d21977aeec04d6183ac11e454d668c6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Retaliatory
investigations</header>
<paragraph id="IDf1e91d7526a2404fa99ab08d4c4a7c8e"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Agency
investigation</header><text>Section 1214 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3E04189D0F9648A2A654E4625AEA850A" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subsection id="ID43663ac99b4a47bca5c27fc7e6f61daf"><enum>(h)</enum><text>Any corrective action
ordered under this section to correct a prohibited personnel practice may
include fees, costs, or damages reasonably incurred due to an agency
investigation of the employee, if such investigation was commenced, expanded,
or extended in retaliation for the disclosure or protected activity that formed
the basis of the corrective
action.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDcd807b0b4a8a4c4dbb95332236051019"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Damages</header><text>Section
1221(g) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id107E7AA0431848FBB2D88D42D6B0FCAE" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="ID9367cff842dd4c16926fa3ee6d62e478"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Any corrective action
ordered under this section to correct a prohibited personnel practice may
include fees, costs, or damages reasonably incurred due to an agency
investigation of the employee, if such investigation was commenced, expanded,
or extended in retaliation for the disclosure or protected activity that formed
the basis of the corrective
action.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID9024253dcdad4ebd97c87e95deb2fef5"><enum>105.</enum><header>Exclusion of agencies
by the President</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section
2302(a)(2)(C) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking clause
(ii) and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id89BA39D91F5D436BA9A789A3F74A016F" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<clause id="ID1cde6700c7d447afb6c72d20a8c57a71"><enum>(ii)</enum><subclause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idE581D4057BE24751A915405671B0BD4E"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence
Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Security
Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the National
Reconnaissance Office; and</text>
</subclause><subclause changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id81EBC32EF6AC4FB4BF30B8764C83E8B3" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(II)</enum><text>as determined by the
President, any executive agency or unit thereof the principal function of which
is the conduct of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities, if
the determination (as that determination relates to a personnel action) is made
before that personnel action;
or</text>
</subclause></clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section id="ID146d45509ebf4fba90ff1f6c7f81b619"><enum>106.</enum><header>Disciplinary
action</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1215(a)(3) of
title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC4A879748759408BACF9181FFF978A9A" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="IDbc26826bad894e819cb5218527a1dd21"><enum>(3)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idA6188277916142D199D4AC486EF143C1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A final order of the
Board may impose—</text>
<clause changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id54DA4F11D3D440B5873C585627B2FE80" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(i)</enum><text>disciplinary action
consisting of removal, reduction in grade, debarment from Federal employment
for a period not to exceed 5 years, suspension, or reprimand;</text>
</clause><clause changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idED3E13A1550A4B77A080F13F5BC0D025" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an assessment of a civil
penalty not to exceed $1,000; or</text>
</clause><clause changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idE4676E3166DB4BB7BE8BEBCDCEA2B3FB" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any combination of
disciplinary actions described under clause (i) and an assessment described
under clause (ii).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id5DD5260EC82B477CA6361A2F9F02F201" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>In any case brought under
paragraph (1) in which the Board finds that an employee has committed a
prohibited personnel practice under section 2302(b)(8), or 2302(b)(9)(A)(i),
(B)(i), (C) , or (D), the Board shall impose disciplinary action if the Board
finds that the activity protected under section 2302(b)(8), or
2302(b)(9)(A)(i), (B)(i), (C), or (D) was a significant motivating factor, even
if other factors also motivated the decision, for the employee's decision to
take, fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take a personnel action,
unless that employee demonstrates, by preponderance of evidence, that the
employee would have taken, failed to take, or threatened to take or fail to
take the same personnel action, in the absence of such protected
activity.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section id="idF4B13A679B9248E8B5820CC65D33338D"><enum>107.</enum><header>Remedies</header>
<subsection id="id4857CF5A7552469E8BAFE39FC9A8EEB7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Attorney
fees</header><text>Section 1204(m)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by striking <quote>agency involved</quote> and inserting <quote>agency
where the prevailing party is employed or has applied for
employment</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id81E6B0D5F0AD4B31B63437E0A5622861"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Damages</header><text>Sections
1214(g)(2) and 1221(g)(1)(A)(ii) of title 5, United States Code, are amended by
striking all after <quote>travel expenses,</quote> and inserting <quote>any
other reasonable and foreseeable consequential damages, and compensatory
damages (including interest, reasonable expert witness fees, and
costs).</quote> each place it appears.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID66094d6218194a448f932cc28071a044"><enum>108.</enum><header>Judicial
review</header>
<subsection id="IDa15c38d2ea0c47429901d417df882425"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 7703(b) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by striking the matter preceding paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC8834A6598F94BFEACE93FC3ED033FBB" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subsection id="IDf3cab89d855b4e81a51ca5bfee5983ef"><enum>(b)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idD39CB98CDD54457889359B5BFFFB7C2C"><enum>(1)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id52B33248AC924D10A5D82D82C2DE7C9F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Except as provided in
subparagraph (B) and paragraph (2) of this subsection, a petition to review a
final order or final decision of the Board shall be filed in the United States
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, any petition for review shall be filed within 60 days after the Board
issues notice of the final order or decision of the Board.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id76D5B4F4336F4036B1A97EF903C432F9" indent="up2" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>During the 5-year period
beginning on the effective date of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act
of 2009, a petition to review a final order or final decision of the Board that
raises no challenge to the Board’s disposition of allegations of a prohibited
personnel practice described in section 2302(b) other than practices described
in section 2302(b)(8), or 2302(b)(9)(A)(i), (B)(i), (C), or (D) shall be filed
in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or any court of
appeals of competent jurisdiction as provided under paragraph
(2).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="IDcc82edd54ec34cbc93814121dfe02775"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Review obtained by
Office of Personnel Management</header><text>Section 7703(d) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4653AE6BECC04A5BB475C423A996DC68" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subsection id="ID7163c31c6e9041188c0460fd540df762"><enum>(d)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id3CE7BFA75048445DA8F7251034C8009C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Except as provided
under paragraph (2), this paragraph shall apply to any review obtained by the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management. The Director of the Office of
Personnel Management may obtain review of any final order or decision of the
Board by filing, within 60 days after the Board issues notice of the final
order or decision of the Board, a petition for judicial review in the United
States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit if the Director determines, in
the discretion of the Director, that the Board erred in interpreting a civil
service law, rule, or regulation affecting personnel management and that the
Board's decision will have a substantial impact on a civil service law, rule,
regulation, or policy directive. If the Director did not intervene in a matter
before the Board, the Director may not petition for review of a Board decision
under this section unless the Director first petitions the Board for a
reconsideration of its decision, and such petition is denied. In addition to
the named respondent, the Board and all other parties to the proceedings before
the Board shall have the right to appear in the proceeding before the Court of
Appeals.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idA6FB5E5063CE4788AF00CB2EAAFE4F19" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>During the 5-year period
beginning on the effective date of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act
of 2009, this paragraph shall apply to any review obtained by the Director of
the Office of Personnel Management that raises no challenge to the Board’s
disposition of allegations of a prohibited personnel practice described in
section 2302(b) other than practices described in section 2302(b)(8), or
2302(b)(9)(A)(i), (B)(i), (C), or (D). The Director of the Office of Personnel
Management may obtain review of any final order or decision of the Board by
filing, within 60 days after the Board issues notice of the final order or
decision of the Board, a petition for judicial review in the United States
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or any court of appeals of competent
jurisdiction as provided under subsection (b)(2) if the Director determines, in
the discretion of the Director, that the Board erred in interpreting a civil
service law, rule, or regulation affecting personnel management and that the
Board's decision will have a substantial impact on a civil service law, rule,
regulation, or policy directive. If the Director did not intervene in a matter
before the Board, the Director may not petition for review of a Board decision
under this section unless the Director first petitions the Board for a
reconsideration of its decision, and such petition is denied. In addition to
the named respondent, the Board and all other parties to the proceedings before
the Board shall have the right to appear in the proceeding before the court of
appeals.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="id9884311D275C431F8F7A5E9DF00C0686"><enum>109.</enum><header>Prohibited Personnel
Practices affecting the Transportation Security Administration</header>
<subsection id="id88F97997A3074705B85AA2D91D12FD6F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Chapter 23 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id435D4F7B010C48B0A12FDE9C1BF33522"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating sections
2304 and 2305 as sections 2305 and 2306, respectively; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id20C0FBC52C824649858A3FE39A84F833"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after
section 2303 the following:</text>
<quoted-block act-name="" changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id248434AFA4434754898292B70B60A66E" reported-display-style="italic" style="USC">
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7C044AFC85A84B48B31AB49A416F6CC9" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2304.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Prohibited personnel practices affecting
the Transportation Security Administration</header>
<subsection id="id0C70BB9A155A43FFB6FDE57C61EC8705"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any
individual holding or applying for a position within the Transportation
Security Administration shall be covered by—</text>
<paragraph id="id0DBF0CB72C214B629A72AD80F1A3C660"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the provisions of section
2302(b)(1), (8), and (9);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id2F222A4C5A7E4E389F377BB4A6158B60"><enum>(2)</enum><text>any provision of law
implementing section 2302(b) (1), (8), or (9) by providing any right or remedy
available to an employee or applicant for employment in the civil service;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idABFC17F1EA6F416AA3D5E9F261B76E93"><enum>(3)</enum><text>any rule or regulation
prescribed under any provision of law referred to in paragraph (1) or
(2).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA40C86CBA0D54089AE7D989FD7B7BAF5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rule of
construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect
any rights, apart from those described in subsection (a), to which an
individual described in subsection (a) might otherwise be entitled under
law.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9B5EB919B3E34854817E3224C527786E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Technical and
conforming amendment</header><text>The table of sections for chapter 23 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking the items relating to
sections 2304 and 2305, respectively, and by inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idF8BFF62589104DE1A34C04B283B05961" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<toc changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" reported-display-style="italic">
<toc-entry level="section">2304. Prohibited personnel practices affecting
the Transportation Security Administration.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">2305. Responsibility of the Government
Accountability Office.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry level="section">2306. Coordination with certain other
provisions of
law.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id32C7A8D2062B48FEA6A1404E83E5E010"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the
date of enactment of this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id1303F0945BB444BABE3ECF2617734AB2"><enum>110.</enum><header>Disclosure of
censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information</header>
<subsection id="id758A211BD9214318BC33D1F00BF4DA0A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In
this subsection—</text>
<paragraph id="ID9363b65b349f4cac9340080cb6bb0a4b"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the term
<term>agency</term> has the meaning given under section 2302(a)(2)(C) of title
5, United States Code;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3464DB22BB6244A3BC62C8EBCDC8A3B8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the term
<term>applicant</term> means an applicant for a covered position;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id7CC488C91862444AB1CD35C05EF15A00"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the term <term>censorship
related to research, analysis, or technical information</term> means any effort
to distort, misrepresent, or suppress research, analysis, or technical
information;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1DFB4B0296854217B656DE0E23F7A5D1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the term <term>covered
position</term> has the meaning given under section 2302(a)(2)(B) of title 5,
United States Code;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id7EFBB887777E4B1E9BA753FE4FF89B57"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the term
<term>employee</term> means an employee in a covered position in an agency;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9AC36C65F9CD4B5799213F693605F934"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the term
<term>disclosure</term> has the meaning given under section 2302(a)(2)(D) of
title 5, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA7D0175297E24E3FB274775C82E10083"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Protected
disclosure</header>
<paragraph id="id7B5041AF13024780BCE6623DCD8EEC22"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Any disclosure of information by an employee or applicant
for employment that the employee or applicant reasonably believes is evidence
of censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information shall
come within the protections of section 2302(b)(8)(A) of title 5, United States
Code, if—</text>
<subparagraph id="idEB2749BFAB974F85A6D86D8128D8F522"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the employee or applicant
reasonably believes that the censorship related to research, analysis, or
technical information is or will cause—</text>
<clause id="id6C33CCD1015245949C3DDEFF2C7FCFF0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>any violation of any law,
rule, or regulation, except for an alleged violation that is a minor,
inadvertent violation, and occurs during the conscientious carrying out of
official duties; or</text>
</clause><clause id="idDCCB9CC1E618405784057F1B2F5D6603"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>gross mismanagement, a
gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific
danger to public health or safety;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id655AB752662240C787CE3B57352CED0F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the disclosure and
information satisfy the conditions stated in the matter following clause (ii)
of section 2302(b)(8)(A) of title 5, United States Code; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB29B78F58B5C40FEADFDE0D63A32E3E9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>shall come within the
protections of section 2302(b)(8)(B) of title 5, United States Code, if—</text>
<clause id="idA338EBEEAB174EBA9DC09D403F8FCD96"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the conditions under
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph are satisfied; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id3922CF2E187B4F3581E6EB10FAD7C00A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the disclosure is made
to an individual referred to in the matter preceding clause (i) of section
2302(b)(8)(B) of title 5, United States Code, for the receipt of
disclosures.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id004F77AE3F95403E8435E0B92CB7BE03"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Application</header><text>Subsection
(a) shall apply to any disclosure of information by an employee or applicant
without restriction to time, place, form, motive, context, forum, or prior
disclosure made to any person by an employee or applicant, including a
disclosure made in the ordinary course of an employee’s duties.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6B6969ED56C0410EB6BDA8704394E896"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Rule of
construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed to imply
any limitation on the protections of employees and applicants afforded by any
other provision of law, including protections with respect to any disclosure of
information believed to be evidence of censorship related to research,
analysis, or technical information.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC53FAF1832254C9FA110A80FB927CEDA"><enum>111.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Clarification of whistleblower rights for
critical infrastructure information</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 214(c) of the Homeland Security Act
of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 133(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
<quote>For purposes of this section a permissible use of independently obtained
information includes the disclosure of such information under section
2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code.</quote>.</text>
</section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA465C2E7FF9245908047BA6A6231EF48"><enum>112.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Advising employees of rights</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 2302(c) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by inserting <quote>, including how to make a lawful
disclosure of information that is specifically required by law or Executive
order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of
foreign affairs to the Special Counsel, the Inspector General of an agency,
Congress, or other agency employee designated to receive such
disclosures</quote> after <quote>chapter 12 of this title</quote>.</text>
</section><section id="ID9918a6d3176e4e26a937dfc1cf58b171"><enum>113.</enum><header>Special Counsel amicus
curiae appearance</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1212
of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id30512A79AF6448159D235E9031BAC4CE" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subsection id="IDe1356a826c0e4a6f92bcd3d77ee8ddf6"><enum>(h)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id655338393B7F45B3B6517226BCBC2F1B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Special Counsel is
authorized to appear as amicus curiae in any action brought in a court of the
United States related to any civil action brought in connection with section
2302(b) (8) or (9), or as otherwise authorized by law. In any such action, the
Special Counsel is authorized to present the views of the Special Counsel with
respect to compliance with section 2302(b) (8) or (9) and the impact court
decisions would have on the enforcement of such provisions of law.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idD7FE7AB89F304235B7C19EBFE66F1A16" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A court of the United
States shall grant the application of the Special Counsel to appear in any such
action for the purposes described under subsection
(a).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7BFAAFEB31C14C5CA2892937E8A90891"><enum>114.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Scope of due process</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC69DDB7167CF444984B3F7012A2C5376"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Special counsel</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 1214(b)(4)(B)(ii) of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by inserting <quote>, after a finding that a
protected disclosure was a contributing factor,</quote> after <quote>ordered
if</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id25DA12423C9648EF8F6D46BC4C71C531"><enum>(b)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Individual action</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 1221(e)(2) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by inserting <quote>, after a finding that a protected
disclosure was a contributing factor,</quote> after <quote>ordered
if</quote>.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID27da05113ee34569b62406b69731c7bf"><enum>115.</enum><header>Nondisclosure
policies, forms, and agreements</header>
<subsection id="IDb89edb237281410cad5825ef69d93f98"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header>
<paragraph id="ID62cfda2d88724d6c8520e9c6802c0a98"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>Each
agreement in Standard Forms 312 and 4414 of the Government and any other
nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement of the Government shall contain the
following statement: <quote>These restrictions are consistent with and do not
supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee obligations, rights,
or liabilities created by Executive Order No. 12958; section 7211 of title 5,
United States Code (governing disclosures to Congress); section 1034 of title
10, United States Code (governing disclosure to Congress by members of the
military); section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code (governing
disclosures of illegality, waste, fraud, abuse, or public health or safety
threats); the Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982 (50 U.S.C. 421 et
seq.) (governing disclosures that could expose confidential Government agents);
and the statutes which protect against disclosure that may compromise the
national security, including sections 641, 793, 794, 798, and 952 of title 18,
United States Code, and section 4(b) of the Subversive Activities Act of 1950
(50 U.S.C. 783(b)). The definitions, requirements, obligations, rights,
sanctions, and liabilities created by such Executive order and such statutory
provisions are incorporated into this agreement and are
controlling.</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDf6785de5ddcb41cd99df1b8be6d818d9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Enforceability</header>
<subparagraph id="id390D913E82C74330B4BF922E12A79022"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement described
under paragraph (1) that does not contain the statement required under
paragraph (1) may not be implemented or enforced to the extent such policy,
form, or agreement is inconsistent with that statement.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4C2CFB47E0C849B9AF2592293A787C54"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Nondisclosure policy,
form, or agreement in effect before the date of enactment</header><text>A
nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement that was in effect before the date of
enactment of this Act, but that does not contain the statement required under
paragraph (1)—</text>
<clause id="id194BB8D6CDA44463875B2119CC163D72"><enum>(i)</enum><text>may be enforced with
regard to a current employee if the agency gives such employee notice of the
statement; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idA40FE934EFE646B182AC6C80419F05C4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may continue to be
enforced after the effective date of this Act with regard to a former employee
if the agency posts notice of the statement on the agency website for the
1-year period following that effective date.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idBAE2D8C98C404131B4FBA8439CDBEDC6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Persons other than
Government employees</header><text>Notwithstanding subsection (a), a
nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement that is to be executed by a person
connected with the conduct of an intelligence or intelligence-related activity,
other than an employee or officer of the United States Government, may contain
provisions appropriate to the particular activity for which such document is to
be used. Such policy, form, or agreement shall, at a minimum, require that the
person will not disclose any classified information received in the course of
such activity unless specifically authorized to do so by the United States
Government. Such nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement shall also make it
clear that such forms do not bar disclosures to Congress or to an authorized
official of an executive agency or the Department of Justice that are essential
to reporting a substantial violation of law.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id24F17F3F76FC4ABBAF16004A64811EC1"><enum>116.</enum><header>Reporting
requirements</header>
<subsection id="id0080B131138D4B2E9FD0070639CC12B9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Government
Accountability Office</header>
<paragraph id="id87FC25139DB64DEB82E31A2146D01019"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 40 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General shall submit a report to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform of the House of Representatives on the implementation of this
Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0D2F69D842D84FFBBFD22C9B4C68A754"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>The
report under this paragraph shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="id7528864C95BE47F68E46DD950F6536C9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an analysis of any
changes in the number of cases filed with the United States Merit Systems
Protection Board alleging violations of section 2302(b)(8) or (9) of title 5,
United States Code, since the effective date of this Act;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB259AC3BABD64D4B8C7DF47237EB5CA0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the outcome of the cases
described under subparagraph (A), including whether or not the United States
Merit Systems Protection Board, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, or any
other court determined the allegations to be frivolous or malicious;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDc0102630186e47da81a763c745ced062"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an analysis of the
outcome of cases described under subparagraph (A) that were decided by a United
States District Court and the impact the process has on the Merit Systems
Protection Board and the Federal court system; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6B2AC418B145405BB93ED43A0433282B"><enum>(D)</enum><text>any other matter as
determined by the Comptroller General.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id180D9DEF2D3B45A68E57AA6DC921665C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Study on revocation of
security clearances</header>
<paragraph id="ID94785c6a9689497da551680fbf01040a"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Study</header><text>The
Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, including the
Inspectors General of the Department of Justice, the Office of the Director of
National Intelligence, and the Office of Personnel Management, shall conduct a
study of security clearance revocations of Federal employees at a select sample
of executive branch agencies and the appeals process in place at those agencies
and at the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Board. The study
shall consist of an examination of the number of security clearances revoked,
the process employed by each agency in revoking a clearance, the pay and
employment status of agency employees during the revocation process, how often
such revocations result in termination of employment or reassignment, how often
such revocations are based on an improper disclosure of information, how often
security clearances are reinstated following an appeal, how often security
clearances remain revoked following a finding of retaliation for making a
disclosure, and such other factors the Inspectors General determine
appropriate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idCDE94FB64DA64504992B5766C70C259C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspectors
General shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of
the House of Representatives a report on the results of the study required
under this paragraph.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id6AE256105F3E4206B6C65CDC9F684349"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Merit Systems
Protection Board</header>
<paragraph id="idF91C9D6CD75D4761B30EF5D35AC418AB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Each report submitted annually by the Merit Systems
Protection Board under section 1116 of title 31, United States Code, shall,
with respect to the period covered by such report, include as an addendum the
following:</text>
<subparagraph id="id26A391C360614CD086DD351FD8215546"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Information relating to
the outcome of cases decided during the applicable year of the report in which
violations of section 2302(b)(8) or (9) of title 5, United States Code, were
alleged.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id57743BD8CAE1415A8867B83554D1692E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The number of such cases
filed in the regional and field offices, the number of petitions for review
filed in such cases, and the outcomes of such cases.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id910EE3C85C1D41438DA4B78CD0E3BA4E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>First
report</header><text>The first report described under paragraph (1) submitted
after the date of enactment of this Act shall include an addendum required
under that subparagraph that covers the period beginning on January 1, 2009
through the end of the fiscal year 2009.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id2E5EC9705A824D20B252F8E414B19394"><enum>117.</enum><header>Alternative
review</header>
<subsection id="idD31FB217D405451DBA343754EB90DD6C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>Section 1221 of title 5, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA4B9459A3A6943E8A165E0A3CE8264BE" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id196120DE534747548709AE18C4F9A0BD"><enum>(k)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id1C05670E98C94268B6832F17936DA7A6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In this subsection, the
term <term>appropriate United States district court</term>, as used with
respect to an alleged prohibited personnel practice, means the United States
district court for the judicial district in which—</text>
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id4A3D666356D44DE0BA5F524B9738A8F7" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the prohibited personnel
practice is alleged to have been committed;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id76E7EA0D63B94FED81F7DC9DCB5153F9" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the employment records
relevant to such practice are maintained and administered; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idBAC19A4093F648F188327F047F7CCC54" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the employee, former
employee, or applicant for employment allegedly affected by such practice
resides.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idC7C3BF3F9FD942BF9B0E9AC7F17DFFD1" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idE17A2986BCEC454DBEBEF64D41173D9E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>An employee, former
employee, or applicant for employment in any case to which paragraph (3) or (4)
applies may file an action at law or equity for de novo review in the
appropriate United States district court in accordance with this
subsection.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id23886DB7D1E84E38B31BBF8635EC0DD9" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Upon initiation of any
action under subparagraph (A), the Board shall stay any other claims of such
employee, former employee, or applicant pending before the Board at that time
which arise out of the same set of operative facts. Such claims shall be stayed
pending completion of the action filed under subparagraph (A) before the
appropriate United States district court and any associated appellate
review.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id140E6B3D88C947759A85401E679BF868" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>This paragraph applies in
any case that—</text>
<subparagraph id="id5C6A2868E58C41BD869B67BD15570143"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an employee, former
employee, or applicant for employment—</text>
<clause id="id052FDEBC780D4E0D8A04B9E86AEB7958"><enum>(i)</enum><text>seeks corrective action
from the Merit Systems Protection Board under section 1221(a) based on an
alleged prohibited personnel practice described in section 2302(b)(8) for which
the associated personnel action is an action covered under section 7512 or
7542; or</text>
</clause><clause id="idBE6DC438CCFC4597ACCE4E3A77780B47"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>files an appeal under
section 7701(a)(1) alleging as an affirmative defense the commission of a
prohibited personnel practice described in section 2302(b)(8) or (9)(A)(i),
(B)(i), (C), or (D) for which the associated personnel action is an action
covered under section 7512 or 7542;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3C4B20ABF59D4463A8267BE22A38F9DA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>no final order or
decision is issued by the Board within 270 days after the date on which a
request for that corrective action or appeal has been duly submitted;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA3F28B8360C94C23867122EF66F24A64"><enum>(C)</enum><text>such employee, former
employee, or applicant provides written notice to the Board of filing an action
under this subsection before the filing of that action.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id2ACAB07821DB42DBB5CCAB01E0C3667F" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(4)</enum><text>This paragraph applies in
any case in which—</text>
<subparagraph id="id7DCD8F377EEC4101AC6ED22F3AB69749" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an employee, former
employee, or applicant for employment —</text>
<clause id="idB6E61C1FF5DC4197A86ECCA01DAB9C53"><enum>(i)</enum><text>seeks corrective action
from the Merit Systems Protection Board under section 1221(a) based on an
alleged prohibited personnel practice described in section 2302(b) (8) or (9)
(A)(i), (B)(i), (C), or (D) for which the associated personnel action is an
action covered under section 7512 or 7542; or</text>
</clause><clause id="idF6FFF8996F2241BF81425DB2FE2C1B9B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>files an appeal under
section 7701(a)(1) alleging as an affirmative defense the commission of a
prohibited personnel practice described in section 2302(b) (8) or (9) (A)(i),
(B)(i), (C), or (D) for which the associated personnel action is an action
covered under section 7512 or 7542;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4803df2f407647b0beafd9f20b7b5c0a" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idAE1C18E6424749DDA21330C65D6242E1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>within 30 days after
the date on which the request for corrective action or appeal was duly
submitted, such employee, former employee, or applicant for employment files a
motion requesting a certification consistent with subparagraph (C) to the
Board, any administrative law judge appointed by the Board under section 3105
of this title and assigned to the case, or any employee of the Board designated
by the Board and assigned to the case; and</text>
</clause><clause changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idBBB64B7EC2B94F58A5B10893213893E7" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>such employee has not
previously filed a motion under clause (i) related to that request for
corrective action; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE42AE9D3E73F47E0B7EEF012676CE4F2" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Board, any
administrative law judge appointed by the Board under section 3105 of this
title and assigned to the case, or any employee of the Board designated by the
Board and assigned to the case certifies that—</text>
<clause id="id421FF077BCEF4E8AAEC5349AE4298BA9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Board is not likely
to dispose of the case within 270 days after the date on which a request for
that corrective action has been duly submitted;</text>
</clause><clause id="idB18A0012F5B846A3BA9CD91DD35C31C8"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the case—</text>
<subclause commented="no" id="id44FA5A246B094BC2ABE2BBD9EF79C989"><enum>(I)</enum><text>consists of multiple
claims;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id8D2D18E7313249F5A6324982AAF94AB2"><enum>(II)</enum><text>requires complex or
extensive discovery;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idEF1044A08A154F57879B0FDA9850DBF4"><enum>(III)</enum><text>arises out of the same
set of operative facts as any civil action against the Government filed by the
employee, former employee, or applicant pending in a Federal court; or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="idDD0BE1934F824C319ADFE47048E456D8"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>involves a novel
question of law; or</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="idCA9A3AED893F46C6A668DD1E8A3631EE"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>under standards
applicable to the review of motions to dismiss under rule 12(b)(6) of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including rule 12(d), the request for
corrective action (including any allegations made with the motion under
subparagraph (B)) would not be subject to dismissal.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idBE719EE0C994451ABAF9160E88488D43" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The Board shall grant or
deny any motion requesting a certification described under paragraph (4)(ii)
within 90 days after the submission of such motion and, in any event, not later
than 15 days before issuing a decision on the merits of a request for
corrective action.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id70CA1474AAC94B7E9629811F69F2F4E3" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Any decision of the
Board, any administrative law judge appointed by the Board under section 3105
of this title and assigned to the case, or any employee of the Board designated
by the Board and assigned to the case to grant or deny a certification under
this paragraph shall be reviewed only on appeal of a final order or decision of
the Board under section 7703, if—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID3acc8e38c44d4dd5950e7816f9f5353c" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the reviewing court
determines that the decision by the Board on the merits of the alleged
prohibited personnel described in section 2302(b)(8) or (9) (A)(i), (B)(i),
(C), or (D) failed to meet the standards of section 7703(c); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDb4f441ee7433462cb7fdcb71c1ef47ec" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the decision to deny the
certification shall be overturned by the reviewing court if such decision is
found to be arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDab197da733164bda88b767129c490c15" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>shall not be considered
evidence of any determination by the Board, any administrative law judge
appointed by the Board under section 3105 of this title, or any employee of the
Board designated by the Board on the merits of the underlying allegations
during the course of any action at law or equity for de novo review in the
appropriate United States district court in accordance with this
subsection.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idB8114AAFE3AE4EAFB19A7AEDC8199A11" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(7)</enum><text>In any action filed under
this subsection—</text>
<subparagraph id="idFEA85CB142304F3695DEC8800FA1E3C7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the district court shall
have jurisdiction without regard to the amount in controversy;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9FDC5921262E4DFD87559B1DCC70883A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>at the request of either
party, such action shall be tried by the court with a jury;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id31256B7040154C23B26E839966FA8300"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the court—</text>
<clause id="id4413E203FFC241EDA67F7175586CE7FA"><enum>(i)</enum><text>subject to clause (iii),
shall apply the standards set forth in subsection (e); and</text>
</clause><clause id="id86C6891483E6475781473B175514A12A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may award any relief
which the court considers appropriate under subsection (g), except—</text>
<subclause id="id5229C09506CE4B77A122C2E010CF93B7"><enum>(I)</enum><text>relief for compensatory
damages may not exceed $300,000; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id60551DDA43BC4E37B6644ED2377672E2"><enum>(II)</enum><text>relief may not include
punitive damages; and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="id493D314708A842EE8AECE0AA37DAB29B"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>notwithstanding section
(e)(2), may not order relief if the agency demonstrates by a preponderance of
the evidence that the agency would have taken the same personnel action in the
absence of such disclosure; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB194C73FC0B942918F7865BBFA6912F7"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the Special Counsel may
not represent the employee, former employee, or applicant for
employment.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" commented="no" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idFFD23F7D1B2348128EC4C950A556E00D" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(8)</enum><text>An appeal from a final
decision of a district court in an action under this subsection shall be taken
to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or any court of appeals of
competent jurisdiction.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id42F3DA91756C4343B8E4ACADE34A8F41" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(9)</enum><text>This subsection applies
with respect to any appeal, petition, or other request for corrective action
duly submitted to the Board, whether under section 1214(b)(2), the preceding
provisions of this section, section 7513(d), section 7701, or any otherwise
applicable provisions of law, rule, or
regulation.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="idDA074B56A8DA4A968CA137C2F61649CF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Sunset</header>
<paragraph id="idCCB6327BE64C437AB166CFEB970291C4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided under paragraph (2), the amendments
made by this section shall cease to have effect 5 years after the effective
date of this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id691A57A72BCC469E993F7638BBDFC1FE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Pending
claims</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall continue to
apply with respect to any claim pending before the Board on the last day of the
5-year period described under paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idF5886314B6794CA58916D752B2D6E130"><enum>118.</enum><header>Merit Systems
Protection Board summary judgment</header>
<subsection id="id0FE05FC0E11B4A99BDCABC082D1ED09A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 1204(b) of
title 5, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID796f12bc498a4f7f9ebcc95fcc01fc0f"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
paragraph (3) as paragraph (4);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID6e2167e13a054f468272031c5363918f"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after
paragraph (2) the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE29128C6EFB44973A54DAFAB9AF6CB1F" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="id3C27A8EDD11A434DA18154BF2D0D557C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>With respect to a request
for corrective action based on an alleged prohibited personnel practice
described in section 2302(b)(8) or (9)(A)(i), (B)(i), (C), or (D) for which the
associated personnel action is an action covered under section 7512 or 7542,
the Board, any administrative law judge appointed by the Board under section
3105 of this title, or any employee of the Board designated by the Board may,
with respect to any party, grant a motion for summary judgment when the Board
or the administrative law judge determines that there is no genuine issue as to
any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a
matter of
law.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idAAD7FB88CC444275B72195A804E61CDD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Sunset</header>
<paragraph id="id50B3BA41C37546EB8800C677FC44235E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided under paragraph (2), the amendments
made by this section shall cease to have effect 5 years after the effective
date of this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id37675A4930A344C4A945CD3B3AE9935B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Pending
claims</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall continue to
apply with respect to any claim pending before the Board on the last day of the
5-year period described under paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idD1FEC6C1CF9D49479E155E1BB4612679"><enum>119.</enum><header>Disclosures of
classified information</header>
<subsection id="id488CAFA16BC64603883527E210AEDC63"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Prohibited personnel
practices</header><text>Section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id519EF58FDC11440A835117C2DC26BD0D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A), by
striking <quote>or</quote> after the semicolon;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id18EA0496DDA645E5BD05E9801F5A006F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B), by
adding <quote>or</quote> after the semicolon; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3B2A6EF3D29E44EB844A7DAE571A90BE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6ECC018277AC475890A53A480B21388E" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subparagraph id="id5600990EEF804220AE36880E65D88D7E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>any communication that
complies with subsection (a)(1), (d), or (h) of section 8H of the Inspector
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C.
App);</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA086F99336354D86917C3CFEB7271507"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Inspector General Act
of 1978</header><text>Section 8H of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C.
App) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idE74EC3DBED0A4BC8B95128CFD1416A26"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(1), by
adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE771D6CDB60B4C6BA38ECE64149F9622" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subparagraph id="idDEADAFDD5C2C4249B3F8CF3BBB4AEA3C"><enum>(D)</enum><text>An employee of any
agency, as that term is defined under section 2302(a)(2)(C) of title 5, United
States Code, who intends to report to Congress a complaint or information with
respect to an urgent concern may report the complaint or information to the
Inspector General, or designee, of the agency of which that employee is
employed;</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idDAC361C2B9334BF3AC09D5E9B21B9BED"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (h), by
striking paragraph (2), and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id493916448F6744E999393FC0A94EFED8" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="id77AE9C93BEAE4624BE2A3BE79239C7F3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The term
<term>intelligence committees</term> means the Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on
Intelligence of the Senate, except that with respect to disclosures made by
employees described in subsection (a)(1)(D), the term <term>intelligence
committees</term> means the committees of appropriate
jurisdiction.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id36E38A3A44CB4AFB8099F544924C7379"><enum>120.</enum><header>Whistleblower
protection ombudsman</header>
<subsection id="id271673E9FE1442598666743CC1638CFF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 3(d) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5
U.S.C. App.) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id61A196CE4CCE4D16BEFBEF7C7CE06C5E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by
striking <quote>and</quote> after the semicolon;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id37B3D68445914C99B7C5EB3FC84B1389"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by
striking the period and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id7698553170224CF48944844CF97D8A1A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2EFAE5C3F42B46EC93C6D9A90DE51EC8" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="idAC18DD0D1C034F42BADAE26C9DA42253"><enum>(3)</enum><text>designate a Whistleblower
Protection Ombudsman who shall advocate for the interests of agency employees
or applicants who make protected disclosures of information, educate agency
personnel about prohibitions on retaliation for protected disclosures, and
advise agency employees, applicants, or former employees who have made or are
contemplating making a protected
disclosure.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id8F533149F798434B8E3FE23BE3F81F31"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Central Intelligence
Agency</header><text>Section 17(e) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of
1949 (50 U.S.C. 403q(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id343925E0E7EE440BA493B63549F8DD7B" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="idC881B076FFEA485FA4ECCBA09C5106B9" indent="up1"><enum>(9)</enum><text>The Inspector General
shall designate a Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman who shall advocate for the
interests of agency employees or applicants who make protected disclosures of
information, educate agency personnel about prohibitions on retaliation for
protected disclosures, and advise agency employees, applicants, or former
employees who have made or are contemplating making a protected
disclosure.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="ID307c7bb74b854d1ab90c99eac2d69ac9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Application to
intelligence community</header><text>Notwithstanding section 8K of the
Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) or any other provision of law,
the amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to each Office of Inspector
General of an element of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3(4)
of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401a(4))).</text>
</subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Intelligence community
whistleblower protections</header>
<section id="idBF08CAEBBA2D4B66AFA85713D2AC7C5B"><enum>201.</enum><header>Protection of
intelligence community whistleblowers</header>
<subsection id="id93CCDE48A2334CAEB67BA447BF35A40C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Title I of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
402 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id99C9C5F14170482E90F9B98733D03D71" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<section id="idD3509BA0E0A14CD1A06C067E397EDF74"><enum>120.</enum><header>Intelligence Community
Whistleblower Protection Board</header>
<subsection id="id3D59E52FB32D482D9D44BDB9D061BF00"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There
is established within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence the
Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Board (in this section referred
to as the <quote>Board</quote>) .</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id3032258F6CE9483ABA736D12C7F3CE04"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idC8D0C5C5F7B54414BF3A56715A1BC13D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Board shall consist
of—</text>
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDd3e068db43784496aafecafb20d0c177" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a Chairperson who shall
be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate
(in this section referred to as the <quote>Chairperson</quote>);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDbc503c6178634d44a820cf176eb5b35b" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>2 members who shall be
designated by the President—</text>
<clause id="id6D17AAAE534242228FF4A77E164A0737"><enum>(i)</enum><text>from individuals serving
as an inspectors general of any agency or department of the United States who
have been appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id59E26F2A7AAF4759A2A496C05742DC90"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>after consultation with
members of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency;
and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="ID6f38bdd1849b4adf8b6a0e09ec6084d6" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>2 members who shall be
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
after consultation with the Attorney General, the Director of National
Intelligence, and the Secretary of Defense.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id2265D6B78AE540F8B066A27A2628DA4D" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(D)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id448CB9815E88478796AC638D17595ABC"><enum>(i)</enum><text>A member of the Board
who serves as the inspector general of an agency or department shall recuse
themselves from any matter brought to the Board by a former employee, employee,
or applicant of the agency or department for which that member serves as
inspector general.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="ID2ba03ce2d4fe4ed1a8d985750a1f28d4" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The President shall
designate 2 alternate members of the Board from individuals serving as an
inspector general of an agency or department of the United States. If a member
of the Board recuses themselves from a matter pending before the Board, an
alternate shall serve in place of that member for that matter.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id10596E26FAAD479DB2F44C94C29E875A" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The members of the Board
shall be individuals of sound and independent judgment who shall collectively
possess substantial experience in national security and personnel
matters.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id5212AF1BE94043568A93C289BB3B180F" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(4)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id8494E20ED7224C26B7D399DB79D66042"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Chairperson shall
be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of
basic pay prescribed for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314
of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent for each day (including travel
time) during which the Chairperson is engaged in the performance of the duties
of the Board.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idDAD37BF226C1446AB1BA7BDE035ABA15" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The members designated
under paragraph (1)(B) and alternate members designated under paragraph (2)
shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their
services as inspectors general.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id3A085410FF634DB7B8FE937C63FBE79F" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The members appointed
under paragraph (1)(C) shall—</text>
<clause id="ID83b0f7ef946941b882cbc55bc358dec1" indent="down1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>perform their duties for
a period not to exceed 130 days during any period of 365 consecutive days;
and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDdb5edfd442d8446caf799237861f36f8" indent="down1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>shall be compensated at
the rate of pay for the Chairperson specified in paragraph (A).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id5212F14C03A14F529EDAA39B67FE0531" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(D)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id510D865E586F4065AE39B20B773ED154"><enum>(i)</enum><text>The members of the
Board shall serve 4-year terms at the pleasure of the President, except that of
the members first appointed or designated—</text>
<subclause changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="ID5de5cd2d58c949f18ce7bc4f446d166e" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the Chairperson shall
have a term of 6 years;</text>
</subclause><subclause changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="ID14e0af71aa8f4cfe8bd36acb9be73db9" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(II)</enum><text>2 members shall have a
term of 5 years; and</text>
</subclause><subclause changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDa25f9d21e98a4e7783f542f3b6772475" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(III)</enum><text>2 members shall have a
term of 4 years.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDe1035bee425d40cdabbe2bbb4835a1d8" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>A member designated
under paragraph (1)(B) shall be ineligible to serve on the Board if that member
ceases to serve as an inspector general for an agency or department of the
United States.</text>
</clause><clause changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDff6fc4fefd1e4eeda382bbc51fe8ba42" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>A member of the Board
may serve on the Board after the expiration of the term of that member until a
successor for that member has taken office as a member of the Board.</text>
</clause><clause changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDbc8796bdd8a24c359c765656a13502d2" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>An individual appointed
to fill a vacancy occurring, other than by the expiration of a term of office,
shall be appointed only for the unexpired term of the member that individual
succeeds.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idD5D17E740C5B464A9926C3B970C0906D" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Three members shall
constitute a quorum of the Board.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id99F325578B7442FE8A5A07E352A1C2F4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Resources and
authority</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id5EF5465CD7D74E1E8ADA9568607D9049"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Office of the
Director of National Intelligence shall provide the Board with appropriate and
adequate office space, together with such equipment, office supplies, and
communications facilities and services as may be necessary for the operation of
the Board, and shall provide necessary maintenance services for the Board and
the equipment and facilities located therein.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id5809F8F8FA4A41E3B96AD441AD95A0E4" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idC336A2DBE3EC40AD82A067C3CDCB5115"><enum>(A)</enum><text>For each fiscal year,
the Chairperson shall transmit a budget estimate and request to the Director of
National Intelligence. The budget request shall specify the aggregate amount of
funds requested for such fiscal year for the operations of the Board.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id6A62431AE5994296A140FD59B7CCBB13" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>In transmitting a
proposed budget to the President for approval, the Director of National
Intelligence shall include—</text>
<clause id="ID77d831fc566e4ef895a8f8e4b88c4e5d"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the amount requested by
the Chairperson; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID26c965be75ec414ba18249b0b92a0fae"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any comments of the
Chairperson with respect to the amount requested.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id31FDCEFB183A4CD3946EDB1FDEE1CC3D" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Subject to applicable law
and the policies of the Director of National Intelligence, the Chairperson, for
the purposes of enabling the Board to fulfill its statutorily assigned
functions, is authorized to select, appoint, and employ such officers and
employees as may be necessary for carrying out the functions, powers, and
duties of the Office.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id7AC39CACF22742678BB6169C8E1EB4A6" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(4)</enum><text>In consultation with the
Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Secretary of
Defense, the Board may promulgate rules, regulations, and guidance and issue
orders to fulfill its functions. The Director of National Intelligence,
Secretary of Defense, and Attorney General shall jointly approve any rules,
regulations, or guidance issued under section 121(c)(1)(B).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idE3FBB5D0643C4A6FA0F3665F447D8CA5" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The number of individuals
employed by or on detail to the Board shall not be counted against any
limitation on the number of personnel, positions, or full-time equivalents in
the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id167A74BD25234F34A660FE848175D7EB"><enum>121.</enum><header>Intelligence community
whistleblower protections</header>
<subsection id="id9D76120083B744569FE9B9C1FEA32C01"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section:</text>
<paragraph id="IDf9ce4953cb094dd6b6955a7521c5f2e6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The term
<term>agency</term> means an Executive department or independent establishment,
as defined under sections 101 and 104 of title 5, United States Code, that
contains an intelligence community element.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID426637923fc542e982ee3f5eea0fb435"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The term
<term>intelligence community element</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDb0f654ca782c421495a7c3240fa4e714"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence
Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Security
Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the National
Reconnaissance Office; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDA25C0A03106411DBB2E48CA53673B6B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any executive agency or
unit thereof determined by the President under section 2302(a)(2)(C)(ii) of
title 5, United States Code, to have as its principal function the conduct of
foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities, if the determination
(as that determination relates to a personnel action) is made before that
personnel action.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id34926D55174C4CC8B4BB201AB37F527D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The term <term>personnel
action</term>—</text>
<subparagraph id="idF55392A821AC420A84EE4AFA3ED423A7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>means any action taken
against an employee of an intelligence community element that would be
considered a personnel action, as defined in section 2302(a)(2)(A) of title 5,
United States Code, if taken against an employee subject to such section 2302;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idCC5247B51F6A4D79B1F34FF46686FE6D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall not include the
denial, suspension, or revocation of a security clearance or denying access to
classified or sensitive information or a suspension with pay pending an
investigation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDc705a420006b4391bece916189eacef0"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The term <term>prohibited
personnel practice</term> means any action prohibited by subsection (b) of this
section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id6FC8CC4B814D45059436D89CB0A4763F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>prohibited personnel
practices</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idD41804ACFE16491491AAB80342616900"><enum>(1)</enum><text>No person who has
authority to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any personnel
action, shall, with respect to such authority—</text>
<subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="ID13218d138a4e401387ac3de3f925f33c" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(A)</enum><text>take or fail to take, or
threaten to take or fail to take, a personnel action with respect to any
intelligence community element employee or applicant for employment because
of—</text>
<clause id="IDfb4791cde9fb4d22b07b9f63c11817a2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>any disclosure of
information to an official of an agency by an employee or applicant which the
employee or applicant reasonably believes evidences—</text>
<subclause id="id1368AA2E453944F49BECDCAD063DC9EA"><enum>(I)</enum><text>any violation of law,
rule, or regulation except for an alleged violation that is a minor,
inadvertent violation, and occurs during the conscientious carrying out of
official duties; or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDc1b3be5e66b84cecaed923daf3058a6c"><enum>(II)</enum><text>gross mismanagement, a
gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific
danger to public health or safety,</text>
</subclause><continuation-text continuation-text-level="clause" indent="subparagraph">if such disclosure is not specifically
prohibited by law and if such information is not specifically required by
Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the
conduct of foreign affairs;</continuation-text></clause><clause id="IDb142f536ac684dd2ab0dc9cc158cc05f"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any disclosure to the
inspector general of an agency or another employee designated by the head of
the agency to receive such disclosures, of information which the employee or
applicant reasonably believes evidences—</text>
<subclause id="id332CACB752C8484C85FBC1971E155F18"><enum>(I)</enum><text>any violation of law,
rule, or regulation, except for an alleged violation that is a minor,
inadvertent violation, and occurs during the conscientious carrying out of
official duties; or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDaa6194d1a7a94cf884ddc5826092bbe9"><enum>(II)</enum><text>gross mismanagement, a
gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific
danger to public health or safety; or</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="ID3af4e9f5b8324f27b9ee56455307355c"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any communication that
complies with subsection (a)(1), (d), or (h) of section 8H of the Inspector
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) or that complies with subparagraphs (A),
(D), or (H) of section 17(d)(5) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949
(50 U.S.C. 403q); or</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDc1cbb77655854f298498ce0f741a156a" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>take or fail to take, or
threaten to take or fail to take, any personnel action against any intelligence
community element employee or applicant for employment because of—</text>
<clause id="ID51175cea70a94bc49897278fe4668155"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the exercise of any
appeal, complaint, or grievance right granted by subsection (c);</text>
</clause><clause id="IDdfb1f98ae85b4567888f8aa049e36302"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>testifying for or
otherwise lawfully assisting any individual in the exercise of any right
referred to in clause (i); or</text>
</clause><clause id="IDb05af86db27b4411acd93775f117ccba"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>cooperating with or
disclosing information to the inspector general of an agency in connection with
an audit, inspection, or investigation conducted by the inspector general, in
accordance with applicable provisions of law,</text>
</clause></subparagraph><continuation-text changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" continuation-text-level="paragraph" reported-display-style="italic">if
the actions described under clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) do not result in the
employee or applicant unlawfully disclosing information specifically required
by Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the
conduct of foreign affairs or any other information the disclosure of which is
specifically prohibited by law.</continuation-text></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="ID6425b53dffdd4dd09af2d43eb0d9fee2" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A disclosure shall not be
excluded from paragraph (1) because—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID681e9d8c5cc14ce1bf440a51fd50a5a8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the disclosure was made
during the normal course of the duties of the employee;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID744378c659ab4e049704fb71a8ccda86"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the disclosure was made
to a person, including a supervisor, who participated in an activity that the
employee or applicant reasonably believed to be covered by paragraph
(1)(A)(ii);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4fbcd795b2894c27b22ca2c1db2cd75d"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the disclosure revealed
information that had been previously disclosed;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDd4257223341f427cb82eb6c3365f1190"><enum>(D)</enum><text>of the employee or
applicant’s motive for making the disclosure;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4f3e2394d01842fea9c69bcf80631f34"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the disclosure was not
made in writing;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID71ff5c3a7d224cadbc97856ea0ffdafc"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the disclosure was made
while the employee was off duty; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5129a4a79c88408f8343e7c8d6a07ae5"><enum>(G)</enum><text>of the amount of time
which has passed since the occurrence of the events described in the
disclosure.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idF1CEAD72DF8F4B7C8A0CDF037460464E" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Nothing in this
subsection shall be construed to authorize the withholding of information from
the Congress or the taking of any personnel action against an employee who
discloses information to the Congress.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID60077622eb194f5c944c9dfd52cefcd8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Remedial
Procedure</header><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idED996ECDB4B8490FAF6A0AEBFD4C84A8"><enum>(1)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id211D21B7992A4675B203674543D01A9E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>An employee, applicant,
or former employee of an intelligence community element who believes that such
employee, applicant, or former employee has been subjected to a prohibited
personnel practice may petition for an appeal of the personnel action to the
agency head or the designee of the agency head within 60 days after discovery
of the alleged adverse personnel action.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDf08d650678f442948263ba9f7cfaea76" indent="up2" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The appeal shall be
conducted within the agency according to rules of procedure issued by the
Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Board under section 120(c)(4).
Those rules shall be based on those pertaining to prohibited personnel
practices defined under section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code, and
provide—</text>
<clause id="ID9d46512dfb454031bcf6caa82f6dbfc7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for an independent and
impartial fact-finder;</text>
</clause><clause id="IDea11df0130cc4ea7be36c3e472ebf051"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for notice and the
opportunity to be heard, including the opportunity to present relevant
evidence, including witness testimony;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID20c2016fb06d4bda8ccaebd7ebca6dcb"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>that the employee,
applicant, or former employee may be represented by counsel;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID60da1c06ee2542bd9954e5699c5743a8"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>that the employee,
applicant, or former employee has a right to a decision based on the record
developed during the appeal;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID576a4700e12d48c59b8e4562305fc50b"><enum>(v)</enum><text>that, unless agreed to by
the employee and the agency concerned, not more than 180 days shall pass from
the filing of the appeal to the report of the impartial fact-finder to the
agency head or the designee of the agency head;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID3a0e4a9470e14d5d8aebe247af951f2e"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>for the use of
information specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the
interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs in a manner
consistent with the interests of national security, including ex parte
submissions where the agency determines that the interests of national security
so warrant; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID3a493f5929d049468b121ec57adfd10c"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>that the employee,
applicant, or former employee shall have no right to compel the production of
information specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the
interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs, except evidence
necessary to establish that the employee made the disclosure or communication
such employee alleges was protected by subsection (b)(1)(A).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDaab4b72237ea4bf88b25f94188402ca9" indent="up2" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>If the Board certifies
that agency procedures in effect on the date of enactment of this section,
including procedures promulgated under section 2303 of title 5, United States
Code, before that date, adequately provide guaranties required under
subparagraph (B)(i) through (vi), the appeal may be conducted according to
those procedures.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDd0e41e01deea44419c804064aec9169b" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(2)</enum><text>On the basis of the
record developed during the appeal, the impartial fact-finder shall prepare a
report to the agency head or the designee of the agency head setting forth
findings, conclusions, and, if applicable, recommended corrective action. After
reviewing the record and the impartial fact-finder’s report, the agency head or
the designee of the agency head shall determine whether the employee, former
employee, or applicant has been subjected to a prohibited personnel practice,
and shall either issue an order denying relief or shall implement corrective
action to return the employee, former employee, or applicant, as nearly as
practicable and reasonable, to the position such employee, former employee, or
applicant would have held had the prohibited personnel practice not occurred.
Such corrective action shall include reasonable attorney's fees and any other
reasonable costs incurred, and may include back pay and related benefits,
travel expenses, and compensatory damages not to exceed $300,000. Unless the
employee, former employee, or applicant consents, no more than 60 days shall
pass from the submission of the report by the impartial fact-finder to the
agency head and the final decision by the agency head or the designee of the
agency head.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="ID569963b5c26341848b54baddb1e1d346" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In determining whether
the employee, former employee, or applicant has been subjected to a prohibited
personnel practice, the agency head or the designee of the agency head shall
find that a prohibited personnel practice occurred if a disclosure described in
subsection (b) was a contributing factor in the personnel action which was
taken against the individual, unless the agency demonstrates by clear and
convincing evidence that it would have taken the same personnel action in the
absence of such disclosure.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="ID26a6f4a0639d4a208d36f0aef2904d26" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(4)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idF611D3CF89A044E087BC5A863846D662"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Any employee, former
employee, or applicant adversely affected or aggrieved by a final order or
decision of the agency head or the designee of the agency head under paragraph
(1) may appeal that decision to the Intelligence Community Whistleblower
Protection Board within 60 days after the issuance of such order. Such appeal
shall be conducted under rules of procedure issued by the Board under section
120(c)(4).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDee98eede8a6143bf807566025ecb3cc5" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Board’s review shall
be on the agency record. The Board may not hear witnesses or admit additional
evidence. Any portions of the record that were submitted ex parte during the
agency proceedings shall not be disclosed to the employee, former employee, or
applicant during proceedings before the Board.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDed252dd775404ae29a23100f43903ed6" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>If the Board concludes
that further fact-finding is necessary or finds that the agency improperly
denied the employee, former employee, or applicant the opportunity to present
evidence that, if admitted, would have a substantial likelihood of altering the
outcome, the Board shall—</text>
<clause id="ID59a0261ea8bf4eb88a56967e8684695b"><enum>(i)</enum><text>remand the matter to the
agency from which it originated for additional proceedings in accordance with
the rules of procedure issued by the Board; or</text>
</clause><clause id="IDfd3f12aa417f4e81ad397d6251187154"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>refer the matter to
another agency for additional proceedings in accordance with the rules of
procedure issued by the Board.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="ID3a3aaee26b2542c3b99b7e95ec991af4" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The Board shall make a de
novo determination, based on the entire record, of whether the employee, former
employee, or applicant suffered a prohibited personnel practice. In considering
the record, the Board may weigh the evidence, judge the credibility of
witnesses, and determine controverted questions of fact; in doing so, the Board
may consider the prior fact-finder’s opportunity to see and hear the
witnesses.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDacbad25166344754a576e451bc99eeb0" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(E)</enum><text>On the basis of the
agency record, the Board shall determine whether the employee, former employee,
or applicant has been subjected to a prohibited personnel practice, and shall
either issue an order denying relief or shall order the agency head to take
specific corrective action to return the employee, former employee, or
applicant, as nearly as practicable and reasonable, to the position such
employee, former employee, or applicant would have held had the prohibited
personnel practice not occurred. Such corrective action shall include
reasonable attorney's fees and any other reasonable costs incurred, and may
include back pay and related benefits, travel expenses, and compensatory
damages not to exceed $300,000. The Board may recommend, but may not order,
reinstatement or hiring of a former employee or applicant. The agency head
shall take the actions so ordered, unless the President determines that doing
so would endanger national security. Unless the employee, former employee, or
applicant consents, no more than 180 days shall pass from the filing of the
appeal with the Board to the final decision by the Board. Any period of time
during which the Board lacks a sufficient number of members to undertake a
review shall be excluded from the 180-day period.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="ID9634d88b190f403c8145441c0a3c250f" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(F)</enum><text>In determining whether
the employee, former employee, or applicant has been subjected to a prohibited
personnel practice, the agency head or the designee of the agency head shall
find that a prohibited personnel practice occurred if a disclosure described in
subsection (b) of this section was a contributing factor in the personnel
action which was taken against the individual, unless the agency demonstrates
by clear and convincing evidence that it would have taken the same personnel
action in the absence of such disclosure.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="ID6691dbeaa6f74ee080d872699aefbe22" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(5)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idD5BB7C7846FB4418AB2EEB417D906DEA"><enum>(A)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id3D11FE36E5E144E69E8820C0B8F16EFD"><enum>(i)</enum><text>During the 5-year
period beginning on the effective date of the Whistleblower Protection
Enhancement Act of 2009, an employee, former employee, applicant, or an agency
may file a petition to review a final order of the Board in the United States
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or the United States court of appeals
for a circuit in which the reprisal is alleged in the order to have occurred.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any petition for review shall be
filed within 60 days after the date of issuance of the final order of the
Board.</text>
</clause><clause changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id9CDCE59728CE43B2807AC21900D1ED08" indent="up2" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>After the 5-year period
described under clause (i), a petition to review a final order described under
that clause shall be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="idD2A803B24D5746AE835247FDB595F3CF" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The court of appeals
shall review the record and hold unlawful and set aside any agency action,
findings, or conclusions found to be—</text>
<clause id="IDfca3211b43024cc284289e4ede4a65ac"><enum>(i)</enum><text>arbitrary, capricious, an
abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID426b9ba7c62e43e1b6632e69e99faa3a"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>obtained without
procedures required by law, rule, or regulation having been followed; or</text>
</clause><clause id="ID387f033deb3f4a85a2a816368b8370cb"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>unsupported by
substantial evidence.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="ID42b4c1d747fd4448884c00939d4e0bc6" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Any portions of the
record that were submitted ex parte during the agency proceedings shall be
submitted ex parte to the Board and any reviewing court.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="IDd4211db9a99b4bfbb0b46126bff11de8" indent="up1" reported-display-style="italic"><enum>(D)</enum><text>At the time the Board
issues an order, the Chairperson shall notify the chairpersons and ranking
members of—</text>
<clause id="id5ED3909556CC4683B7A027A3DDC6DA80"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Committee on Homeland
Security and Government Affairs of the Senate;</text>
</clause><clause id="idE0180C9F609C462D8B52784F20D51F21"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the Select Committee on
Intelligence of the Senate;</text>
</clause><clause id="id1AF92D58BAC8449CAD4C6D9A81B3679D"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idE34B69526AEC4AB591730C3A7FEDD16B"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID8a33d3d71a6f4319bd43dd760a6a3842"><enum>(d)</enum><text>Except as expressly
provided in this section, there shall be no judicial review of agency actions
under this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID36409e246ddb4e14a0c1ffa76a429075"><enum>(e)</enum><text>This section shall not
apply to terminations executed under—</text>
<paragraph id="ID8d70d85e30b041e38d3692ee97d31d68"><enum>(1)</enum><text>section 1609 of title 10,
United States Code;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8709471c590d4ada974543fd37c0cabf"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the authority of the
Director of National Intelligence under section 102A(m) of this Act, if—</text>
<subparagraph id="idE844A71C2D9F44C088E25C2CA8CB5960"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Director personally
summarily terminates the individual; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC575DD356DBA4EDE84A9E3EE6EABA4DC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Director—</text>
<clause id="IDdfdf9801ecf34bff9b441cd7c767049f"><enum>(i)</enum><text>determines the
termination to be in the interest of the United States;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID98f67ab93e674fbf9cf1e8cc77661cb6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>determines that the
procedures prescribed in other provisions of law that authorize the termination
of the employment of such employee cannot be invoked in a manner consistent
with the national security; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID99822386b326466f93760401de6d32e0"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>notifies the
congressional oversight committees of such termination within 5 days after the
termination;</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID2e3c7f68ef4b4d9d80de2b280dec4f0b"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the authority of the
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency under section 104A(e) of this Act,
if—</text>
<subparagraph id="idB2A7F5767CE6414BA07EDBC61963452D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Director personally
summarily terminates the individual; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3C59A730015943D2B8568323EFDB499A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Director—</text>
<clause id="ID086342b7b06241328fd5543ea377d9e3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>determines the
termination to be in the interest of the United States;</text>
</clause><clause id="IDa8678d1a0ddf46038f53653b10900402"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>determines that the
procedures prescribed in other provisions of law that authorize the termination
of the employment of such employee cannot be invoked in a manner consistent
with the national security; and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDa22d39e2c4594a2fbbe27e1b79ebb461"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>notifies the
congressional oversight committees of such termination within 5 days after the
termination; or</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDd6cad277106141e7a7f4657345b6b936"><enum>(4)</enum><text>section 7532 of title 5,
United States Code, if—</text>
<subparagraph id="idD2DFD235CB304256A5223B8426663014"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the agency head
personally summarily terminates the individual; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9C730518672A41BFB48A63202DF0A54C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the agency head—</text>
<clause id="IDb3646fb420104be9a473fc75f719fd0b"><enum>(i)</enum><text>determines the
termination to be in the interest of the United States,</text>
</clause><clause id="ID5b87ceff5ac84af3a9497e703994a017"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>determines that the
procedures prescribed in other provisions of law that authorize the termination
of the employment of such employee cannot be invoked in a manner consistent
with the national security; and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDded3262406f249c4b1005d1453f27cef"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>notifies the
congressional oversight committees of such termination within 5 days after the
termination.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID2b515af84b64496883dd09d72d33e40d"><enum>(f)</enum><text>If an employee, former
employee, or applicant seeks to challenge both a prohibited personnel practice
under this section and an adverse security clearance or access determination
under section 3001(j) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act
of 2004 (50 U.S.C. 435b(j)), the employee shall bring both claims under the
procedure set forth in 3001(j) of that Act for challenging an adverse security
clearance or access determination. If the Board awards compensatory damages for
such claim or claims, the total amount of compensatory damages ordered shall
not exceed
$300,000.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="ID986ccbfc886445a394e681881555f7c2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Repeal of section
2303</header>
<paragraph id="id9F364F9C3BD14B699051B76FA88E820A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Title 5, United States Code is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="idF8DC941768C14AC187CBC4DC7998E883"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking section 2303;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id610B45B81640431D97328D3D31E3853C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking the item
relating to section 2303 in the table of sections for chapter 23 of that
title.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id37FF5CCFC69848299AD8B916BA63390D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>This paragraph shall take effect on the date on which rules
are issued as required under section 121(c)(1)(B) of the National Security Act
of 1947 (as added by this Act).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8B93F19E91AC4F9DAA02127DCC446E0E"><enum>(c)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Technical and conforming
amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The table of
contents for the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401 note) is amended
by inserting after the item relating to section 119B the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" id="id6bad8426-e228-437d-a44c-f40700a9b780" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<toc changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" reported-display-style="italic">
<toc-entry idref="idD3509BA0E0A14CD1A06C067E397EDF74" level="section">Sec. 120. Intelligence Community Whistleblower
Protection Board.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry idref="id167A74BD25234F34A660FE848175D7EB" level="section">Sec. 121. Intelligence community whistleblower
protections.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="id40BBCE3EAC354A65997A18B981977776"><enum>202.</enum><header>Review of security
clearance or access determinations</header>
<subsection id="ID443392562a0840419f008af8708812d3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 3001(b) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism
Prevention Act of 2004 (50 U.S.C. 435b(b)) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="id7F42FBA7E9D04F0A96B46DF2821F73A7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by striking <quote>Not</quote> and inserting <quote>Except as
otherwise provided, not</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id83077CC3EF5749E78B83F3C5A9AC5D76"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (5), by
striking <quote>and</quote> after the semicolon;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE61AE054A75C4071A8F29BCAAFD4D75A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in paragraph (6), by
striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1E1F6264287A4988A870F3524D8FD38A"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by inserting after
paragraph (6) the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id31B8ECFE3FA14CFF8A13845372FA84F9" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="IDe5ef2452873d4f8f9d8802d914639d4b"><enum>(7)</enum><text>not later than 30 days
after the date of enactment of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of
2009—</text>
<subparagraph id="idD4E3E7A5F5004C8AB7ABEC10FD85FDF1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>developing policies and
procedures that permit, to the extent practicable, individuals who challenge in
good faith a determination to suspend or revoke a security clearance or access
to classified information to retain their government employment status while
such challenge is pending; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID2e06270839574c84996da733e75e58c0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>developing and
implementing uniform and consistent policies and procedures to ensure proper
protections during the process for denying, suspending, or revoking a security
clearance or access to classified information, including the provision of a
right to appeal such a denial, suspension, or revocation, except that there
shall be no appeal of an agency’s suspension of a security clearance or access
determination for purposes of conducting an investigation, if that suspension
lasts no longer than 1 year, including such policies and procedures for appeals
based on those pertaining to prohibited personnel practices defined under
section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code, and that provide—</text>
<clause id="IDba7e7a4b8bdc4a8188715473c5a0e863"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for an independent and
impartial fact-finder;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID636949e73c8a4a8e8b7317f5553a1092"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for notice and the
opportunity to be heard, including the opportunity to present relevant
evidence, including witness testimony;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID63ff500b8113413db77d47ab7d39046c"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>that the employee,
applicant, or former employee may be represented by counsel;</text>
</clause><clause id="IDcdaa4a1eac6f41a7be347f3e189c246c"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>that the employee,
applicant, or former employee has a right to a decision based on the record
developed during the appeal;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID28d366da745f4262801192ec0426a793"><enum>(v)</enum><text>that, unless agreed to by
the employee and the agency concerned, no more than 180 days shall pass from
the filing of the appeal to the report of the impartial fact finder to the
agency head or the designee of the agency head;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID161e55ab5ec3417f992f367dc0befb0d"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>for the use of
information specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the
interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs in a manner
consistent with the interests of national security, including ex parte
submissions if the agency determines that the interests of national security so
warrant; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id4C11A0FB370B43E3BCC504F890DA5F6C"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>that the employee,
applicant, or former employee shall have no right to compel the production of
information specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the
interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs, except evidence
necessary to establish that the employee made the disclosure or communication
such employee alleges was protected by subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of
subsection
(j)(1).</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id83267438C4284312BC7C8443EC4685BA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Retaliatory revocation
of security clearances and access determinations</header><text>Section 3001 of
the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (50 U.S.C. 435b)
is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9A836018E1E9409B8D88D3052FF10A7B" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subsection id="IDdb5348fd350b47779992612e18c6d3f5"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Retaliatory revocation
of security clearances and access determinations</header>
<paragraph id="ID9246bf85f33b42adb84753c8ef85f008"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Agency personnel with authority over personnel security
clearance or access determinations shall not take or fail to take, or threaten
to take or fail to take, any action with respect to any employee or applicant’s
security clearance or access determination because of—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID82a5afa40140469092f79a35c0928489"><enum>(A)</enum><text>any disclosure of
information to an official of an Executive agency by an employee or applicant
which the employee or applicant reasonably believes evidences—</text>
<clause id="id88CA139493A4437B8B902B6734736E96"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a violation of any law,
rule, or regulation, except for an alleged violation that is a minor,
inadvertent violation, and occurs during the conscientious carrying out of
official duties; or</text>
</clause><clause id="ID05afbdb0b10547159297195f76b3c122"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>gross mismanagement, a
gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific
danger to public health or safety,</text>
</clause><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subparagraph">if
such disclosure is not specifically prohibited by law and if such disclosure
does not reveal information specifically authorized under criteria established
by statute, Executive Order, Presidential directive, or Presidential memorandum
to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign
affairs;</continuation-text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID36a8526b9a78479c865247bcabac289d"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any disclosure to the
Inspector General of an agency or another employee designated by the head of
the agency to receive such disclosures, of information which the employee or
applicant reasonably believes evidences—</text>
<clause id="id811B5EE41A924F0EAED179A7DD1E380C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a violation of any law,
rule, or regulation, except for an alleged violation that is a minor,
inadvertent violation, and occurs during the conscientious carrying out of
official duties; or</text>
</clause><clause id="ID1fb136637e4a4fada225ad8a4a14531b"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>gross mismanagement, a
gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific
danger to public health or safety;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID558b657e94c74018b9db744724dca9bf"><enum>(C)</enum><text>any communication that
complies with subsection (a)(1), (d), or (h) of section 8H of the Inspector
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) or that complies with subsection (d)(5)(A),
(D), or (H) of section 17 of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 (50
U.S.C. 403q);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID30d113ab0efa4ce1a8c18675610c3f3d"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the exercise of any
appeal, complaint, or grievance right granted by any law, rule, or
regulation;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID0887069dd1eb4b8c8cb734bdd706d537"><enum>(E)</enum><text>testifying for or
otherwise lawfully assisting any individual in the exercise of any right
referred to in subparagraph (D); or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1a542402984d42d1b50ef6735e873c87"><enum>(F)</enum><text>cooperating with or
disclosing information to the inspector general of an agency, in accordance
with applicable provisions of law in connection with an audit, inspection, or
investigation conducted by the inspector general,</text>
</subparagraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="paragraph">if
the actions described under subparagraphs (D) through (F) do not result in the
employee or applicant unlawfully disclosing information specifically authorized
under criteria established by Executive Order, statute, Presidential Directive,
or Presidential memorandum to be kept secret in the interest of national
defense or the conduct of foreign affairs.</continuation-text><continuation-text continuation-text-level="paragraph">Nothing in this paragraph shall be
construed to authorize the withholding of information from the Congress or the
taking of any personnel action against an employee who discloses information to
the Congress.</continuation-text></paragraph><paragraph id="IDc26b1e103b6643048f7a0fa1d6c863d0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Disclosures</header><text>A
disclosure shall not be excluded from paragraph (1) because—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID9b2e11d2ab0244f883232e98715d89c2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the disclosure was made
during the normal course of the duties of the employee;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDb300b021f8514529874f33c09a7ca024"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the disclosure was made
to a person, including a supervisor, who participated in an activity that the
employee or applicant reasonably believed to be covered by paragraph
(1)(A)(ii);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID90efa8b323b84599a2fb2bfd7fcde83c"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the disclosure revealed
information that had been previously disclosed;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID3a13ce912a084de8990282e6297f9f71"><enum>(D)</enum><text>of the employee or
applicant’s motive for making the disclosure;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID6299dae9fdc74299a286fd7fa952521d"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the disclosure was not
made in writing;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDb2a84b159ec245359a30209b3ed8c550"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the disclosure was made
while the employee was off duty; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID71eb96fae8f2451f849587122528af8e"><enum>(G)</enum><text>of the amount of time
which has passed since the occurrence of the events described in the
disclosure.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID77f7d9bb7fba46e48e9f5a4d42c1f751"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Agency
adjudication</header>
<subparagraph id="idCE5A3DDCFF6F4B838A2B0EE49FFE503C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Appeal</header><text>An
employee, former employee, or applicant for employment who believes that he or
she has been subjected to a reprisal prohibited by paragraph (1) of this
subsection may, within 60 days after the issuance of notice of such decision,
appeal that decision within the agency of that employee, former employee, or
applicant through proceedings authorized by paragraph (8) of subsection (b),
except that there shall be no appeal of an agency’s suspension of a security
clearance or access determination for purposes of conducting an investigation,
if that suspension lasts no longer than 1 year.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID58118c2a523d48c5871a7a9c9cd0db71"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Corrective
action</header><text>If, in the course of proceedings authorized under
subparagraph (A), it is determined that the adverse security clearance or
access determination violated paragraph (1) of this subsection, the agency
shall take specific corrective action to return the employee, former employee,
or applicant, as nearly as practicable and reasonable, to the position such
employee, former employee, or applicant would have held had the violation not
occurred. Such corrective action shall include reasonable attorney's fees and
any other reasonable costs incurred, and may include back pay and related
benefits, travel expenses, and compensatory damages not to exceed
$300,000.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID895d77eda66e4a2d911114872737d2b7"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Contributing
factor</header><text>In determining whether the adverse security clearance or
access determination violated paragraph (1) of this subsection, the agency
shall find that paragraph (1) of this subsection was violated if a disclosure
described in paragraph (1) was a contributing factor in the adverse security
clearance or access determination taken against the individual, unless the
agency demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that it would have taken
the same action in the absence of such disclosure, giving the utmost deference
to the agency's assessment of the particular threat to the national security
interests of the United States in the instant matter.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID65df63d994bb4eec9dcf85ebb0ed2c40"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Review by the
Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Board</header>
<subparagraph id="ID574bee58d02746c0b731ee7de929066b"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Appeal</header><text>Within
60 days after receiving notice of an adverse final agency determination under a
proceeding under paragraph (3), an employee, former employee, or applicant for
employment may appeal that determination to the Intelligence Community
Whistleblower Protection Board.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1a4bad5568b243cea6859ef0c9544f4c"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Policies and
procedures</header><text>The Board, in consultation with the Attorney General,
Director of National Intelligence, and the Secretary of Defense, shall develop
and implement policies and procedures for adjudicating the appeals authorized
by subparagraph (A). The Director of National Intelligence and Secretary of
Defense shall jointly approve any rules, regulations, or guidance issued by the
Board concerning the procedures for the use or handling of classified
information.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID7c78214efb0a4786905435033ad37988"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Review</header><text>The
Board’s review shall be on the complete agency record, which shall be made
available to the Board. The Board may not hear witnesses or admit additional
evidence. Any portions of the record that were submitted ex parte during the
agency proceedings shall be submitted ex parte to the Board.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1c805579b3874f5e80698b8659e72485"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Further fact-finding or
improper denial</header><text>If the Board concludes that further fact-finding
is necessary or finds that the agency improperly denied the employee or former
employee the opportunity to present evidence that, if admitted, would have a
substantial likelihood of altering the outcome, the Board shall—</text>
<clause id="ID202cd615eaa14c8b992542d7ed219642"><enum>(i)</enum><text>remand the matter to the
agency from which it originated for additional proceedings in accordance with
the rules of procedure issued by the Board; or</text>
</clause><clause id="ID983b882d96e24ae3b84ef84e5acf38d2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>refer the case to an
intelligence community agency for additional proceedings in accordance with the
rules of procedure issued by the Board.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID8c73a554268042fca1b24daff23ffe58"><enum>(E)</enum><header>De novo
determination</header><text>The Board shall make a de novo determination, based
on the entire record, of whether the employee, former employee, or applicant
received an adverse security clearance or access determination in violation of
paragraph (1). In considering the record, the Board may weigh the evidence,
judge the credibility of witnesses, and determine controverted questions of
fact. In doing so, the Board may consider the prior fact-finder’s opportunity
to see and hear the witnesses.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4ac593bd565a4e33be3f024f5c219032"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Adverse security
clearance or access determination</header><text>If the Board finds that the
adverse security clearance or access determination violated paragraph (1), it
shall then separately determine whether reinstating the security clearance or
access determination is clearly consistent with the interests of national
security, with any doubt resolved in favor of national security, under
Executive Order 12968 (including any adjudicative guidelines promulgated under
such orders) or any subsequent Executive order, regulation, or policy
concerning access to classified information.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDf5221d8bde3744aba8c68ed486c1ec40"><enum>(G)</enum><header>Remedies</header>
<clause id="ID78e17c4a496a48819fa617466ace31f7"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Corrective
action</header><text>If the Board finds that the adverse security clearance or
access determination violated paragraph (1), it shall order the agency head to
take specific corrective action to return the employee, former employee, or
applicant, as nearly as practicable and reasonable, to the position such
employee, former employee, or applicant would have held had the violation not
occurred. Such corrective action shall include reasonable attorney's fees and
any other reasonable costs incurred, and may include back pay and related
benefits, travel expenses, and compensatory damages not to exceed $300,000. The
Board may recommend, but may not order, reinstatement or hiring of a former
employee or applicant, and any relief shall not include the reinstating of any
security clearance or access determination. The agency head shall take the
actions so ordered, unless the President determines that doing so would
endanger national security.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID982a72d8164f40aea6f1ff42b9d9bb06"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Recommended
action</header><text>If the Board finds that reinstating the employee, former
employee, or applicant’s security clearance or access determination is clearly
consistent with the interests of national security, it shall recommend such
action to the head of the entity selected under subsection (b) and the head of
the affected agency.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1371B484E42C49C3955F9BE236647206"><enum>(H)</enum><header>Congressional
Notification</header>
<clause id="idE567A5817B7846AA80360452B3C1FD65"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Orders</header><text>At
the time the Board issues an order, the Chairperson of the Board shall notify
the chairpersons and ranking members of—</text>
<subclause id="idD213D3AA2A764A9788161508FE5F8572"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the Committee on Homeland
Security and Government Affairs of the Senate;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id1C6A9BB976EA4211B0E8C5C9BFA7B537"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the Select Committee on
Intelligence of the Senate;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id9162D4EAD13B4AD5A1C12B31C309E259"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id9B82F931F5AA4FF7B1B1E8950802679F"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>the Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="idA849EF4EC4E0437AA255068C8707C154"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Recommendations</header><text>If
the agency head and the head of the entity selected under subsection (b) do not
follow the Board’s recommendation to reinstate a clearance, the head of the
entity selected under subsection (b) shall notify the chairpersons and ranking
members of the committees described in subclauses (I) through (IV) of clause
(i).</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDd30ca46da1f543dfb6de3df8e3a7b2e3"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Judicial
review</header><text>Nothing in this section should be construed to permit or
require judicial review of agency or Board actions under this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0a41828e6fa64c61894428929c1962f6"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Nonapplicability to
certain terminations</header><text>This section shall not apply to adverse
security clearance or access determinations if the affected employee is
concurrently terminated under—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDa1ade680fd95411bbc7ecc6d194fac1c"><enum>(A)</enum><text>section 1609 of title 10,
United States Code;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID20b61ca0c31d45a0a35344d81aee7489"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the authority of the
Director of National Intelligence under section 102A(m) of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 403–1(m)), if—</text>
<clause id="id351654364D5648408D8F326932FD4251"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Director personally
summarily terminates the individual; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idA65B6167F944422EAA890250B77DCC56"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the Director—</text>
<subclause id="ID493808f5374e4a078bc9740e3dd2acc6"><enum>(I)</enum><text>determines the
termination to be in the interest of the United States;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID1753ba9d2ead4733bf0a33d51f2c8bea"><enum>(II)</enum><text>determines that the
procedures prescribed in other provisions of law that authorize the termination
of the employment of such employee cannot be invoked in a manner consistent
with the national security, and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID463092febca84eb0be600c13c8f8d99d"><enum>(III)</enum><text>notifies the
congressional oversight committees of such termination within 5 days after the
termination;</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5a2297d109db4c4b9e14f1ecdfc311b9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the authority of the
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency under section 104A(e) of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 403–4a(e)), if—</text>
<clause id="idEB43ACD7C3534FAE9F9E848BECCB3E24"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Director personally
summarily terminates the individual; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id6E25ECCD82FE48A0B122D284A4A5784A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the Director—</text>
<subclause id="ID2b46ac3c69a847b991239e3b7ccc1679"><enum>(I)</enum><text>determines the
termination to be in the interest of the United States;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDcc3614ab605f414397b92052b5304e60"><enum>(II)</enum><text>determines that the
procedures prescribed in other provisions of law that authorize the termination
of the employment of such employee cannot be invoked in a manner consistent
with the national security; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID56020af27762401f8a1b0d8c8183990f"><enum>(III)</enum><text>notifies the
congressional oversight committees of such termination within 5 days after the
termination; or</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID136c9e27051a46f7bb82873a81d028c6"><enum>(D)</enum><text>section 7532 of title 5,
United States Code, if—</text>
<clause id="idEA65E9E0E823458ABDA7FB2C48C37228"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the agency head
personally summarily terminates the individual; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id9A681E7FC3FD46F2A23B46CAD3C63C7A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the agency head—</text>
<subclause id="IDfe24288db14d48379055cda965ea98c2"><enum>(I)</enum><text>determines the
termination to be in the interest of the United States;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID71380f07ec774306959de6494c89dba9"><enum>(II)</enum><text>determines that the
procedures prescribed in other provisions of law that authorize the termination
of the employment of such employee cannot be invoked in a manner consistent
with the national security; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID5ceafa9736e840458a148c5e92778890"><enum>(III)</enum><text>notifies the
congressional oversight committees of such termination within 5 days after the
termination.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="id9C8E0B054B664B7287095A5B2960C445"><enum>203.</enum><header>Revisions relating to
the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act</header>
<subsection id="id538890E4FF3E4320B06206103EAE7936"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 8H of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C.
App.) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="idB368B58BA39442F79F6F7D51A509A4DC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (b)—</text>
<subparagraph id="id4B128DE3EFE54C439EA2E032C7D505A0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>(1)</quote> after <quote>(b)</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF5815C8B047C41388F4453EAC4CF806C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id52CA81BA15B040AAB817BB12DF837E97" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="id244F56ACDAD84DE3B1F1AB7AF4C7CC5F" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>If the head of an
establishment determines that a complaint or information transmitted under
paragraph (1) would create a conflict of interest for the head of the
establishment, the head of the establishment shall return the complaint or
information to the Inspector General with that determination and the Inspector
General shall make the transmission to the Chair of the Intelligence Community
Whistleblower Protection Board. In such a case, the requirements of this
section for the head of the establishment apply to the recipient of the
Inspector General’s transmission. The Chair shall consult with the other
members of the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Board regarding
all transmissions under this
paragraph.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idC1C8B4EB77B54FF2907AF723FF858379"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by designating subsection
(h) as subsection (i); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id16F0623DF4044F09BBFCC4B03F6C0383"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after
subsection (g), the following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAE7589CA49E24DF398F7A32C087A3256" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subsection id="ID4a29b2c70a864acaa2227b10f359bbcd"><enum>(h)</enum><text>An individual who has
submitted a complaint or information to an inspector general under this section
may notify any member of Congress or congressional staff member of the fact
that such individual has made a submission to that particular inspector
general, and of the date on which such submission was
made.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID5fadef8c12c9466181ddb977e9a815dd"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Central Intelligence
Agency</header><text>Section 17(d)(5) of the Central Intelligence Agency Act of
1949 (50 U.S.C. 403q) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID56ed8c1e72094a5ea90c518b534ddcda"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph
(B)—</text>
<subparagraph id="id009CF66256684E11B7533313900CD006"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>(i)</quote> after <quote>(B)</quote>; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD0642B9BAE284E56A061085CCC0CF58F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7A90D9CFB5134C3CB1120A29F8C60E34" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<clause id="id986DB01F5F65483BBB213B31D5015E12" indent="up3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>If the Director
determines that a complaint or information transmitted under paragraph (1)
would create a conflict of interest for the Director, the Director shall return
the complaint or information to the Inspector General with that determination
and the Inspector General shall make the transmission to the Chair of the
Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Board. In such a case—</text>
<subclause id="id5A8AAE73BE324825BD2311B78FB7263A"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the requirements of this
subsection for the Director apply to the recipient of the Inspector General’s
submission; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id14AFCB59652E467D86DAC27D81935C08"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the Chairperson shall
consult with the other members of the Intelligence Community Whistleblower
Protection Board regarding all submissions under this
section.</text>
</subclause></clause><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID632da7594ac1410d9ff87e0eb678f42e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block changed="added" committee-id="SSGA00" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1FC15B9A5921473181FBC69E25003016" reported-display-style="italic" style="OLC">
<subparagraph id="IDf626ebdda23340fe895d5e935bd73c23" indent="up2"><enum>(H)</enum><text>An individual who has
submitted a complaint or information to the Inspector General under this
section may notify any member of Congress or congressional staff member of the
fact that such individual has made a submission to the Inspector General, and
of the date on which such submission was
made.</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Effective date</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="iddeddbc65-af2e-4c68-a85a-d4860265a046"><enum>301.</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Effective
date</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This Act shall take
effect 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</section>
December 3, 2009
Reported with an amendment