PUBLIC LAW 96-465—OCT. 17, 1980
94 STAT. 2077
tion on Diplomatic Relations, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, other international agreements to which the United States is a party, the laws of the United States, and orders, regulations, and directives issued pursuant to law; (2) provide guidance for the formulation and conduct of programs and activities of the Department and other agencies which relate to the foreign relations of the United States; and (3) perform functions on behalf of any agency or other Government establishment (including any establishment in the legislative or judicial branch) requiring their services. SEC. 105. MERIT PRINCIPLES; PROTECTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE; AND MINORITY RECRUITMENT.—(a)(1) All personnel actions with respect to career members and career candidates in the Service (including applicants for career candidate appointments) shall be made in accordance with merit principles. (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "personnel action" means— (A) any appointment, promotion, assignment (including assignment to any position or salary class), award of performance pay or special differential, within-class salary increase, separation, or performance evaluation, and (B) any decision, recommendation, examination, or ranking provided for under this Act which relates to any action referred to in subparagraph (A). (b) The Secretary shall administer the provisions of this Act and shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to ensure that members of the Service, as well as applicants for appointments in the Service— (1) are free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicapping condition, marital status, or political affiliation, as prohibited under section 2302(b)(1) of title 5, United States Code; (2) are free from reprisal for— (A) a disclosure of information by a member or applicant which the member or applicant reasonably believes evidences— (i) a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or (ii) mismanagement, a gross WEiste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, if such disclosure is not specifically prohibited by law and if such information is not specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs; or (B) a disclosure to the Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board, or to the Inspector General of an agency (including the Inspector General of the Department of State and the Foreign Service) or another employee designated by the head of the agency to receive such disclosures, of information which the member or applicant reasonably believes evidences— (i) a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or (ii) mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; (3) are free to submit to officials of the Service and the Department any report, evaluation, or recommendation, including the right to submit such report, evaluation, or recommenda-
22 USC 3905.
"Personnel action."
Regulations.
Information disclosure.
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