Us Code § 420 - Information on websites of Offices of Inspectors General

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 420 — Information on websites of Offices of Inspectors General, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 420. Information on websites of Offices of Inspectors General

(a) Direct Links to Inspectors General Offices.—

(1) In general.—Each Federal agency and designated Federal entity shall establish and maintain on the homepage of the website of that Federal agency or designated Federal entity, a direct link to the website of the Office of the Inspector General of that Federal agency or designated Federal entity.

(2) Accessibility.—The direct link under paragraph (1) shall be obvious and facilitate accessibility to the website of the Office of the Inspector General.


(b) Requirements for Inspectors General Websites.—

(1) Posting of reports and audits.—The Inspector General of each Federal agency and designated Federal entity shall—

(A) not later than 3 days after any audit report, inspection report, or evaluation report (or portion of any such report) is submitted in final form to the head of the Federal agency or the head of the designated Federal entity, as applicable, post that report (or portion of that report) on the website of the Office of Inspector General; and

(B) ensure that any posted report (or portion of that report) described under subparagraph (A)—

(i) is easily accessible from a direct link on the homepage of the website of the Office of the Inspector General;

(ii) includes a summary of the findings of the Inspector General; and

(iii) is in a format that—

(I) is searchable and downloadable; and

(II) facilitates printing by individuals of the public accessing the website.


(2) Reporting of fraud, waste, and abuse.—

(A) In general.—The Inspector General of each Federal agency and designated Federal entity shall establish and maintain a direct link on the homepage of the website of the Office of the Inspector General for individuals to report fraud, waste, and abuse. Individuals reporting fraud, waste, or abuse using the direct link established under this paragraph shall not be required to provide personally identifying information relating to that individual.

(B) Anonymity.—The Inspector General of each Federal agency and designated Federal entity shall not disclose the identity of any individual making a report under this paragraph without the consent of the individual unless the Inspector General determines that such a disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation.


(3) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorizing an Inspector General to publicly disclose information otherwise prohibited from disclosure by law.


(c) Definitions.—In this section, the terms "designated Federal entity" and "head of the designated Federal entity" have the meanings given those terms in section 415(a) of this title.

(Pub. L. 117–286, §3(b), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4251.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
420 5 U.S.C. App. (IGA §8M) Pub. L. 95–452, §8M, formerly §8L, as added Pub. L. 110–409, §13(a), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4315; renumbered §8M, Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VIII, §848(1), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1851; amended Pub. L. 114–317, §§4(e), 7(b)(1)(A), (c), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1602, 1605, 1606.

About This Section

5 U.S.C. § 420 is part of Title 5 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 5 U.S.C. § 420. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 420

What does United States Code § 420 cover?

Section 420 ("Information on websites of Offices of Inspectors General") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 420?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 420" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 420 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.