Us Code § 732 - Protection of whistleblowers as criteria in evaluation of supervisors

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 732 — Protection of whistleblowers as criteria in evaluation of supervisors, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 732. Protection of whistleblowers as criteria in evaluation of supervisors

(a) Development and Use of Criteria Required.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, shall develop criteria that—

(1) the Secretary shall use as a critical element in any evaluation of the performance of a supervisory employee; and

(2) promotes the protection of whistleblowers.


(b) Principles for Protection of Whistleblowers.—The criteria required by subsection (a) shall include principles for the protection of whistleblowers, such as the degree to which supervisory employees respond constructively when employees of the Department report concerns, take responsible action to resolve such concerns, and foster an environment in which employees of the Department feel comfortable reporting concerns to supervisory employees or to the appropriate authorities.

(c) Supervisory Employee and Whistleblower Defined.—In this section, the terms "supervisory employee" and "whistleblower" have the meanings given such terms in section 323 of this title.

(Added Pub. L. 115–41, title I, §102(a)(3), June 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 865.)


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 732, added Pub. L. 114–223, div. A, title II, §247(a)(1), Sept. 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 884, related to treatment of whistleblower complaints, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 115–41, title I, §102(a)(1), June 23, 2017, 131 Stat. 865.

About This Section

38 U.S.C. § 732 is part of Title 38 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 38 U.S.C. § 732. 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

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

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

Related Us Code Legal Topics

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 732

What does United States Code § 732 cover?

Section 732 ("Protection of whistleblowers as criteria in evaluation of supervisors") 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 § 732?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 732" (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 § 732 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.