Bill > S795

This bill expands protections for employees who report wrongdoing, known as whistleblowers, when they work for companies or organizations that have contracts or receive grants from the federal government. Specifically, it extends these protections to employees of "personal services contractors," which are individuals or entities hired to perform specific services for the government, whether those contracts are for defense or civilian purposes. Previously, these protections were more limited. The bill also makes permanent a pilot program that protects employees of civilian contractors and makes it clear that the prohibition against government agencies reimbursing contractors for legal fees incurred while defending against whistleblower reprisal claims now applies to subcontractors and personal services contractors on both defense and civilian contracts.