Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012
Public Law 112–199, as amended
Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012
199
115–192
Statute Compilation
United States House of Representatives
Office of the Legislative Counsel
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Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012
10466
112
2012-11-27
Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012
[(Public Law 112–199)]
[As Amended Through P.L. 115–192, Enacted June 25, 2018]
[Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 112-199. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/]
[Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]

AN ACT
To amend chapter 23 of title 5, United States Code, to clarify the disclosures of information protected from prohibited personnel practices, require a statement in non-disclosure policies, forms, and agreements that such policies, forms, and agreements conform with certain disclosure protections, provide certain authority for the Special Counsel, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1.

SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012”.
TITLE I—

PROTECTION OF CERTAIN DISCLOSURES OF INFORMATION BY FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
SEC. 101.

CLARIFICATION OF DISCLOSURES COVERED.
(a)

In General.—
Section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking “a violation” and inserting “any violation”; and
(2)
in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking “a violation” and inserting “any violation (other than a violation of this section)”.
(b)

Prohibited Personnel Practices Under Section 2302(b)(9).—
(1)

Technical and conforming amendments.—
Title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(A)
in subsections (a)(3), (b)(4)(A), and (b)(4)(B)(i) of section 1214 and in subsections (a), (e)(1), and (i) of section 1221, by inserting “or section 2302(b)(9) (A)(i), (B), (C), or (D)” after “section 2302(b)(8)” each place it appears; and
(B)
in section 2302(a)(2)(C)(i), by inserting “or section 2302(b)(9) (A)(i), (B), (C), or (D)” after “(b)(8)”.
(2)

Other references.—
(A)
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.
(B)
Section 2302(b)(9) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(i)
by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
“(A)
the exercise of any appeal, complaint, or grievance right granted by any law, rule, or regulation—
“(i)
with regard to remedying a violation of paragraph (8); or
“(ii)
other than with regard to remedying a violation of paragraph (8);”
; and
(ii)
in subparagraph (B), by inserting “(i) or (ii)” after “subparagraph (A)”.
(C)
Section 2302 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(f)
(1)
A disclosure shall not be excluded from subsection (b)(8) because—
“(A)
the disclosure was made to a supervisor or to a person who participated in an activity that the employee or applicant reasonably believed to be covered by subsection (b)(8)(A)(i) and (ii);
“(B)
the disclosure revealed information that had been previously disclosed;
“(C)
of the employee’s or applicant’s motive for making the disclosure;
“(D)
the disclosure was not made in writing;
“(E)
the disclosure was made while the employee was off duty; or
“(F)
of the amount of time which has passed since the occurrence of the events described in the disclosure.
“(2)
If a disclosure is made during the normal course of duties of an employee, the disclosure shall not be excluded from subsection (b)(8) if any employee who has authority to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action with respect to the employee making the disclosure, took, failed to take, or threatened to take or fail to take a personnel action with respect to that employee in reprisal for the disclosure.”
.
SEC. 102.

DEFINITIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Section 2302(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking “and” at the end;
(2)
in subparagraph (C)(iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and
(3)
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.”
.
SEC. 103.

REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION.
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), (i) any presumption relating to the performance of a duty by an employee whose conduct is the subject of a disclosure as defined under subsection (a)(2)(D) may be rebutted by substantial evidence, and (ii) 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 or applicant could reasonably conclude that the actions of the Government evidence such violations, mismanagement, waste, abuse, or danger.” .
SEC. 104.

PERSONNEL ACTIONS AND PROHIBITED PERSONNEL PRACTICES.
(a)

Personnel Action.—
Section 2302(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in clause (x), by striking “and” after the semicolon; and
(2)
by redesignating clause (xi) as clause (xii) and inserting after clause (x) the following:
“(xi)
the implementation or enforcement of any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement; and”
.
(b)

Prohibited Personnel Practice.—
(1)

In general.—
Section 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 “; or”; 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 existing statute or Executive order relating to (1) classified information, (2) communications to Congress, (3) the reporting to an Inspector General of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or (4) any other whistleblower protection. The definitions, requirements, obligations, rights, sanctions, and liabilities created by controlling Executive orders and statutory provisions are incorporated into this agreement and are controlling.’.”
.
(2)
[5 U.S.C. 2302 note]

Agency websites.—
Agencies making use of any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement shall also post the statement required under section 2302(b)(13) of title 5, United States Code (as added by this Act) on the agency website, accompanied by the specific list of controlling Executive orders and statutory provisions.
(3)
[5 U.S.C. 2302 note]

Nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement in effect before the effective date.—
With respect to a nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement that was in effect before the effective date 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—
(A)
it shall not be a prohibited personnel practice to enforce that policy, form, or agreement with regard to a current employee if the agency gives such employee notice of the statement; and
(B)
it shall not be a prohibited personnel practice to enforce that policy, form, or agreement after the effective date of this Act with regard to a former employee if the agency complies with paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(c)

Retaliatory Investigations.—
(1)

Agency investigation.—
Section 1214 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(h)
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.”
.
(2)

Damages.—
Section 1221(g) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(4)
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.”
.
SEC. 105.

EXCLUSION OF AGENCIES BY THE PRESIDENT.
Section 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, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the National Reconnaissance Office; 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, provided that the determination be made prior to a personnel action; or”
.
SEC. 106.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
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 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), (C), or (D), the Board may impose disciplinary action if the Board finds that the activity protected under section 2302(b)(8), or 2302(b)(9) (A)(i), (B), (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 a preponderance of the 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.”
.
SEC. 107.

REMEDIES.
(a)

Attorney Fees.—
Section 1204(m)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking “agency involved” and inserting “agency where the prevailing party was employed or had applied for employment at the time of the events giving rise to the case”.
(b)

Damages.—
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 interest, reasonable expert witness fees, and costs).” each place it appears.
SEC. 108.

JUDICIAL REVIEW.
(a)

In General.—
Section 7703(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking the matter preceding paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
“(b)
(1)
(A)
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.
“(B)
During the 2-year period beginning on the effective date of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012, 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), (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. 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.”
.
(b)

Review Obtained by Office of Personnel Management.—
Section 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 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. The granting of the petition for judicial review shall be at the discretion of the Court of Appeals.
“(2)
During the 2-year period beginning on the effective date of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012, 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), (C), or (D). The Director 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 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. The granting of the petition for judicial review shall be at the discretion of the court of appeals.”
.
SEC. 109.

PROHIBITED PERSONNEL PRACTICES AFFECTING THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.
(a)

In General.—
Chapter 23 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
by redesignating sections 2304 and 2305 as sections 2305 and 2306, respectively; and
(2)
by inserting after section 2303 the following:
“SEC. 2304.

Prohibited personnel practices affecting the Transportation Security Administration
“(a)

In General.
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)

Rule of Construction.
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.”
.
(b)

Technical and Conforming Amendment.—
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 inserting the following:
“2304.
Prohibited personnel practices affecting the Transportation Security Administration.
“2305.
Responsibility of the Government Accountability Office.
“2306.
Coordination with certain other provisions of law.”
.
(c)
[5 U.S.C. 2304 note]

Effective Date.—
The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of enactment of this section.
SEC. 110.
[5 U.S.C. 2302 note]

DISCLOSURE OF CENSORSHIP RELATED TO RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, OR TECHNICAL INFORMATION.
(a)

Definitions.—
In this subsection—
(1)
the term “agency” has the meaning given under section 2302(a)(2)(C) of title 5, United States Code;
(2)
the term “applicant” means an applicant for a covered position;
(3)
the term “censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information” means any effort to distort, misrepresent, or suppress research, analysis, or technical information;
(4)
the term “covered position” has the meaning given under section 2302(a)(2)(B) of title 5, United States Code;
(5)
the term “employee” means an employee in a covered position in an agency; and
(6)
the term “disclosure” has the meaning given under section 2302(a)(2)(D) of title 5, United States Code.
(b)

Protected Disclosure.—
(1)

In general.—
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—
(A)
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; and
(ii)
such disclosure is not specifically prohibited by law or such information is not specifically required by Executive order to be kept classified in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs; and
(B)
shall come within the protections of section 2302(b)(8)(B) 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; and
(ii)
the disclosure is made to the Special Counsel, or to the Inspector General of an agency or another person designated by the head of the agency to receive such disclosures, consistent with the protection of sources and methods.
(2)

Disclosures not excluded.—
A disclosure shall not be excluded from paragraph (1) for any reason described under section 2302(f)(1) or (2) of title 5, United States Code.
(3)

Rule of construction.—
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.
SEC. 111.

CLARIFICATION OF WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION.
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: “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.”.
SEC. 112.

ADVISING EMPLOYEES OF RIGHTS.
Section 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 classified 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”.
SEC. 113.

SPECIAL COUNSEL AMICUS CURIAE APPEARANCE.
Section 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 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.
“(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 under subsection (a).”
.
SEC. 114.

SCOPE OF DUE PROCESS.
(a)

Special Counsel.—
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”.
(b)

Individual Action.—
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”.
SEC. 115.
[5 U.S.C. 2302 note]

NONDISCLOSURE POLICIES, FORMS, AND AGREEMENTS.
(a)

In General.—
(1)

Requirement.—
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 provisions are consistent with and do not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee obligations, rights, or liabilities created by existing statute or Executive order relating to (1) classified information, (2) communications to Congress, (3) the reporting to an Inspector General of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or (4) any other whistleblower protection. The definitions, requirements, obligations, rights, sanctions, and liabilities created by controlling Executive orders and statutory provisions are incorporated into this agreement and are controlling.”.
(2)

Agency websites.—
Agencies making use of any nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement shall also post the statement required under paragraph (1) on the agency website, accompanied by the specific list of controlling Executive orders and statutory provisions.
(3)

Enforceability.—
(A)

In general.—
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.
(B)

Nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement in effect before the effective date.—
With respect to a nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement that was in effect before the effective date of this Act, but that does not contain the statement required under paragraph (1) for implementation or enforcement—
(i)
it shall not be a prohibited personnel practice to enforce that policy, form, or agreement with regard to a current employee if the agency gives such employee notice of the statement; and
(ii)
it shall not be a prohibited personnel practice to enforce that policy, form, or agreement after the effective date of this Act with regard to a former employee if the agency complies with paragraph (2).
(b)

Persons Other Than Government Employees.—
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, consistent with the protection of sources and methods.
SEC. 116.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a)

Government Accountability Office.—
(1)

Report.—
Not later than 4 years 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 title.
(2)

Contents.—
The report under this subsection shall include—
(A)
an analysis of any changes in the number of cases filed with the 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;
(B)
the outcome of the cases described under subparagraph (A), including whether or not the Merit Systems Protection Board, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, or any other court determined the allegations to be frivolous or malicious as well as a recommendation whether Congress should grant the Merit Systems Protection Board summary judgment authority for cases described under subparagraph (A);
(C)
a recommendation regarding whether Congress should grant jurisdiction for some subset of cases described under subparagraph (A) to be decided by a district court of the United States and an evaluation of the impact that would have on the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Federal court system; and
(D)
any other matter as determined by the Comptroller General.
(b)
[31 U.S.C. 1116 note]

Merit Systems Protection Board.—
(1)

In general.—
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:
(A)
Information relating to the outcome of cases decided by the Merit Systems Protection Board during the period covered by such report in which violations of section 2302(b)(8) or (9)(A)(i), (B)(i), (C), or (D) of title 5, United States Code, were alleged.
(B)
The number of such cases filed in the regional and field offices, and the number of petitions for review filed in such cases, during the period covered by such report, and the outcomes of any such cases or petitions for review (irrespective of when filed) decided during such period.
(2)

First report.—
The first report described under paragraph (1) submitted after the date of enactment of this Act shall include an addendum required under that paragraph that covers the period beginning on the effective date of this Act and ending at the end of the fiscal year in which such effective date occurs.
SEC. 117.

WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION OMBUDSMAN.
(a)

In General.—
Section 3 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
“(d)
(1)
Each Inspector General shall, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations governing the civil service—
“(A)
appoint an Assistant Inspector General for Auditing who shall have the responsibility for supervising the performance of auditing activities relating to programs and operations of the establishment;
“(B)
appoint an Assistant Inspector General for Investigations who shall have the responsibility for supervising the performance of investigative activities relating to such programs and operations; and
“(C)
designate a Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman who shall educate agency employees—
“(i)
about prohibitions on retaliation for protected disclosures; and
“(ii)
who have made or are contemplating making a protected disclosure about the rights and remedies against retaliation for protected disclosures.
“(2)
The Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman shall not act as a legal representative, agent, or advocate of the employee or former employee.
“(3)
For the purposes of this section, the requirement of the designation of a Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman under paragraph (1)(C) shall not apply to—
“(A)
any agency that is 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))); or
“(B)
as determined by the President, any executive agency or unit thereof the principal function of which is the conduct of foreign intelligence or counter intelligence activities.”
.
(b)

Technical and Conforming Amendment.—
Section 8D(j) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
(1)
by striking “section 3(d)(1)” and inserting “section 3(d)(1)(A)”; and
(2)
by striking “section 3(d)(2)” and inserting “section 3(d)(1)(B)”.
TITLE II—

SAVINGS CLAUSE; EFFECTIVE DATE
SEC. 201.
[5 U.S.C. 2302 note]

SAVINGS CLAUSE.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to imply any limitation on any protections afforded by any other provision of law to employees and applicants.
SEC. 202.
[5 U.S.C. 1204 note]

EFFECTIVE DATE.
Except as otherwise provided in section 109, this Act shall take effect 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.