This bill strengthens protections for people in the FBI who report wrongdoing. It bans bosses from punishing employees or job applicants for filing a complaint, helping someone else complain, or sharing concerns with the DOJ Inspector General or the Office of Special Counsel. It also bans pressuring anyone to take part in political activity. The Attorney General must make sure FBI staff learn about their rights, including how to report classified concerns safely to approved officials or to Congress in limited cases. New hires must get this information within 180 days, and the FBI must post it on its website and employee portal. Reports don’t have to be in writing, on duty, or “new” to be protected, and telling a supervisor who was involved can still be protected. The bill also updates the appeals process and applies standard legal proof rules to these cases.

It requires uniform policies to keep investigations and decisions about alleged retaliation free from conflicts of interest, with deadlines to put those policies in place.

• Who is affected: FBI employees and applicants; DOJ officials who manage personnel; agencies that investigate or decide whistleblower retaliation claims.
• What changes: Stronger ban on retaliation; clear, safe channels to report (OSC, DOJ IG, certain disclosures to Congress, and designated FBI officials); protection for disclosures even if off-duty, not in writing, previously known, or part of normal duties; no coercion of political activity; clearer appeals process using standard proof rules; required training and public posting of rights.
• When: Within 180 days, new hires must receive whistleblower rights info, and agencies must set conflict-free investigation policies.