Earlier this year, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson’s (D-Fla.) bipartisan Thune-Nelson Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act. The bill has been sent to the House of Representatives for approval.
“The auto industry needs to be held accountable if it makes decisions that result in serious injuries or deaths,” said Nelson. “And, one way to do that is to encourage insiders to come forward and tell the truth.”
The Thune-Nelson bill supports employees or contractors of motor vehicle manufacturers, part suppliers, and dealerships to step forward with reports of fraud. Whistleblowers can receive up to 30 percent of any reward that results from an action that totals more than $1 million.
The bill will also protect the identity of the whistleblower as well as offer protection from retaliation. The legislation is modeled after existing whistleblower statutes utilized by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) and the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).
Regardless of the industry, if you are aware of fraudulent activities in your workplace, please contact us. We are here to help you take the next steps in fighting fraud.