§733 Training Regarding Whistleblower Disclosures

Summary

The Secretary must give every Department employee training about whistleblower disclosures at least once every two years, working with the Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman under section 3(d)(1)(C) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.). The training must explain how to file a disclosure, the right to petition Congress under 5 U.S.C. 7211, that employees cannot be prosecuted or punished for legally disclosing information to Congress, the Inspector General, or other investigatory agencies (including under sections 5701, 5705, and 7732 of this title; section 552a of title 5; chapter 93 of title 18; and regulations created under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), the required language for nondisclosure agreements under section 115(a)(1) of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (5 U.S.C. 2302 note), and contractor protections under sections 4705 or 4712 of title 41. To the maximum extent practicable, the training should be given in person. At least once every two years the Secretary must also provide merit system protection training in a form the Special Counsel certifies as satisfactory. The Department must publish these rights on its website and display them at each facility. The term “whistleblower disclosure” has the meaning given in section 323 of this title.