§10605 Safeguards and Accountability

Summary

Require the Foundation to adopt safeguards and put them into any support agreements. These must follow U.S. law and accepted environmental and social best practices. The Secretary must create a clear, independent accountability office that does three jobs: check if Foundation projects follow the safeguards; resolve complaints and fix harms between complainants and project teams; and advise the Board on projects, policies, and practices. That office must report each year to the Board and the appropriate congressional committees about compliance and complaints; have permanent staff led by an independent accountability official and a roster of experts as needed; and hold at least a 60-day public comment period when its initial design is made. The Foundation must also have a senior ombudsman who provides confidential, neutral help to anyone affected by its work. The Secretary must review Foundation assistance at least once a year to ensure it follows the rules for implementing section 10602(b) and is consistent with section 2378d.