Codification of protections for disclosures of censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information

(a) In general Section 2302 of title 5, United States Code, as amended by this title, is further amended by adding at the end the following: (h) (1) In this subsection— (A) the term applicant means an applicant for a covered position; (B) the term censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information means any effort to distort, misrepresent, or suppress research, analysis, or technical information; and (C) the term employee means an employee in a covered position in an agency. (2) Any disclosure of information by an employee or applicant that the employee or applicant reasonably believes is evidence of censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information— (A) shall come within the protections of subsection (b)(8)(A) if— (i) the employee or applicant reasonably believes that the censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information is or will cause— (I) any violation of law, rule, or regulation; or (II) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; and (ii) the disclosure is not specifically prohibited by law or that information is not specifically required by Executive order to be kept classified in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs; and (B) shall come within the protections of subsection (b)(8)(B) if— (i) the employee or applicant reasonably believes that the censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information is or will cause— (I) any violation of law, rule, or regulation; or (II) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; and (ii) the disclosure is made to the Special Counsel, or to the Inspector General of an agency or another person designated by the head of the agency to receive the disclosure, consistent with the protection of sources and methods. (3) A disclosure shall not be excluded from paragraph (2) for any reason described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (f). (4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to imply any limitation on the protections of employees and applicants afforded by any other provision of law, including protections with respect to any disclosure of information believed to be evidence of censorship related to research, analysis, or technical information.. (b) Repeal (1) In general Section 110 of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (5 U.S.C. 2302 note) is repealed. (2) Rule of construction Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect any action under section 110 of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (5 U.S.C. 2302 note) commenced before the date of enactment of this Act or any protections afforded by that section with respect to that action.