
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 49USC31143]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
             SUBTITLE VI--MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS
 
                           PART B--COMMERCIAL
 
              CHAPTER 311--COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
 
                    SUBCHAPTER III--SAFETY REGULATION
 
Sec. 31143. Investigating complaints and protecting complainants

    (a) Investigating Complaints.--The Secretary of Transportation shall 
conduct a timely investigation of a nonfrivolous written complaint 
alleging that a substantial violation of a regulation prescribed under 
this subchapter is occurring or has occurred within the prior 60 days. 
The Secretary shall give the complainant timely notice of the findings 
of the investigation. The Secretary is not required to conduct separate 
investigations of duplicative complaints.
    (b) Protecting Complainants.--Notwithstanding section 552 of title 
5, the Secretary may disclose the identity of a complainant only if 
disclosure is necessary to prosecute a violation. If disclosure becomes 
necessary, the Secretary shall take every practical means within the 
Secretary's authority to ensure that the complainant is not subject to 
harassment, intimidation, disciplinary action, discrimination, or 
financial loss because of the disclosure.

(Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1012.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
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           Revised  Section                    Source (U.S. Code)              
 Source (Statutes at Large)
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31143(a)..............................  49 App.:2511(a).                 Oct. 3
0, 1984, Pub. L. 98-554, Sec.
                                                                          212, 
98 Stat. 2841.
31143(b)..............................  49 App.:2511(b).
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            Telephone Hotline for Reporting Safety Violations

    Pub. L. 105-178, title IV, Sec. 4017, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 413, 
as amended by Pub. L. 106-159, title II, Sec. 213, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 
Stat. 1766, provided that:
    ``(a) In General.--For a period of not less than 2 years beginning 
on or before the 90th day following the date of enactment of this Act 
[June 9, 1998], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish, 
maintain, and promote the use of a nationwide toll-free telephone system 
to be used by drivers of commercial motor vehicles and others to report 
potential violations of Federal motor carrier safety regulations.
    ``(b) Monitoring.--The Secretary shall monitor reports received by 
the telephone system and may consider nonfrivolous information provided 
by such reports in setting priorities for motor carrier safety audits 
and other enforcement activities.
    ``(c) Staffing.--The toll-free telephone system shall be staffed 24 
hours a day 7 days a week by individuals knowledgeable about Federal 
motor carrier safety regulations and procedures.
    ``(d) Protection of Persons Reporting Violations.--
        ``(1) Prohibition.--A person reporting a potential violation to 
    the telephone system while acting in good faith may not be 
    discharged, disciplined, or discriminated against regarding pay, 
    terms, or privileges of employment because of the reporting of such 
    violation.
        ``(2) Applicability of section 31105 of title 49.--For purposes 
    of section 31105 of title 49, United States Code, a violation or 
    alleged violation of paragraph (1) shall be treated as a violation 
    of section 31105(a) of such title.
    ``(e) Funding.--From amounts set aside under section 104(a)(1)(B) of 
title 23, United States Code, the Secretary may use not more than 
$250,000 for fiscal year 1999 and $375,000 for each of fiscal years 2000 
through 2003 to carry out this section.''
