Whistleblower protection

(a) In general No institution, conference, or intercollegiate athletic association, or any agent thereof, may discharge, demote, suspend, withdraw or reduce benefits from, threaten, harass, or in any other manner discriminate against an employee, a student athlete, a prospective student athlete, a former student athlete, a contractor, a subcontractor, a service provider, or an agent of an institution, a conference, or an intercollegiate athletic association because of any lawful act done by such individual— (1) to provide information to, or cause information to be provided to, an agency of the Federal Government, an agency of State government, Congress, or any law enforcement agency regarding any act or omission that such individual reasonably believes to be a violation of this title; or (2) to file, cause to be filed, testify, participate in, or otherwise assist in a proceeding filed or about to be filed relating to an alleged violation of this title. (b) Enforcement action (1) In general An individual aggrieved by a violation of subsection (a) may bring an action in the appropriate district court of the United States for the relief set forth in paragraph (2). (2) Relief An individual prevailing in any action under paragraph (1) may obtain— (A) compensatory damages and the cost of the action, including reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred; (B) in addition to any other relief available at law, equitable relief that may be necessary or appropriate to correct a violation of subsection (a) or make the individual whole again; (C) temporary relief while the case is pending; and (D) if the prevailing individual is an employee— (i) reinstatement with the same seniority status that the individual would have had, but for the discrimination; and (ii) backpay otherwise owed to the individual, with interest. (c) Rights retained by individual Nothing in this section shall be construed to diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of any individual under any Federal or State law, or under any labor contract. (d) Nonenforceability of certain provisions waiving rights and remedies or requiring arbitration of disputes (1) Waiver of rights and remedies The rights and remedies provided for in this section may not be waived by any agreement, policy form, condition of employment, or athletic agreement or participation. (2) Predispute arbitration agreements No predispute arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable if the agreement requires arbitration of a dispute arising under this section.