---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 732"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "732"
heading: "Protection of whistleblowers as criteria in evaluation of supervisors"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/732"
units:
  - "Part I — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 7 — Employees"
  - "Subchapter II — Whistleblower Complaints"
---

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

- (a) **Development and Use of Criteria Required.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), in consultation with the Assistant [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, shall develop criteria that—
  - (1) the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) 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)](#a) shall include principles for the protection of whistleblowers, such as the degree to which supervisory employees respond constructively when employees of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) report concerns, take responsible action to resolve such concerns, and foster an environment in which employees of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) 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](/usc/38/323.md).

## Source credit

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

## Notes

### 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.