H.R. 1265 · 117th Congress
Enhancing Protections for Whistleblower Anonymity Act
- Stage
- In committee
- Sponsor
- Eric Swalwell
- Introduced
- 2021-02-23
- Latest action
- 2021-04-28 · Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Summary
Enhancing Protections for Whistleblower Anonymity Act
This bill establishes a new criminal offense related to the disclosure of a whistle-blower's identity.
Specifically, the bill prohibits a federal employee or contractor from disclosing the identity of a whistle-blower or identifying information about a whistle-blower. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both.
Additionally, the bill authorizes a whistle-blower to file a civil suit against a federal employee or contractor who discloses or threatens to disclose the whistle-blower's identify.
The bill includes exceptions for disclosures that are made to other government employees and permitted under current law.