S. 1149 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Mar 26, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStrengthens protections for SEC whistleblowers
This bill expands who gets legal protection if they report securities violations. Right now, whistleblowers are protected when they report to the SEC, but the bill would also protect people who report violations to their supervisors or other company officials first. It also covers reports about violations that fall under other financial regulators' jurisdiction. The bill gives accused employers the right to a jury trial and requires the SEC to decide on whistleblower award claims within a set timeframe.
How it affects you
If you work in finance, banking, or accounting and discover illegal activity at your company, this bill would give you stronger legal protection against retaliation like firing or demotion. The changes make it safer to speak up internally to your boss or other managers before—or instead of—going directly to the SEC.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Mar 26, 2025)
SEC Whistleblower Reform Act of 2025
This bill expands and revises whistleblower protections applicable to individuals who provide information to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to a violation of securities laws.
Under current law, an employer is prohibited from retaliating against these whistleblowers. Under the bill, this prohibition is expanded to include (1) individuals who provide information regarding potential violations to supervisors or other employees in positions of authority; and (2) information relating to violations subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, or a self-regulatory organization.
Additionally, the bill establishes the right to a jury trial for a person accused of violating whistleblower protection laws.
The bill also requires the SEC to make an initial disposition of a whistleblower award claim within the later of (1) one year of the deadline to submit such a claim, or (2) one year after the final resolution of any litigation in the matter.
Finally, the bill deems as unenforceable a predispute arbitration agreement regarding a whistleblower action.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1149
A BILL
SEC Whistleblower Reform Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) · Introduced Mar 26, 2025 · Finance and Financial Sector · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 26, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.”