PROTECTS Act

Promote Responsible Oversight and Targeted Employee background Check Transparency for Seniors Act or the PROTECTS Act

This bill allows Medicaid and Medicare providers (e.g., skilled nursing facilities) to access, through the National Practitioner Data Bank, disciplinary information concerning affiliated physicians and other health care practitioners, as reported by state licensing authorities.

The PROTECTS Act, also known as Bill 117 hr 7140, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of enhancing protections for whistleblowers who report misconduct within the federal government. The bill seeks to strengthen the Whistleblower Protection Act by providing additional safeguards for individuals who come forward with information about waste, fraud, and abuse.

Key provisions of the PROTECTS Act include expanding the definition of protected disclosures to include reports of retaliation against whistleblowers, prohibiting agencies from taking adverse actions against employees who make protected disclosures, and establishing a process for whistleblowers to seek relief if they experience retaliation.

Additionally, the bill requires agencies to provide training to employees on their rights and responsibilities as whistleblowers, as well as to establish procedures for handling whistleblower complaints. It also creates a Whistleblower Ombudsman within each agency to serve as a resource for employees who have concerns about retaliation. Overall, the PROTECTS Act aims to strengthen protections for whistleblowers and encourage individuals to come forward with information about wrongdoing within the federal government. By providing additional safeguards and resources for whistleblowers, the bill seeks to promote transparency and accountability in government operations.