Who verifies the contents of a whistle-blower disclosure?

Under the PERA Act 2024, the Hearing Officer is responsible for verifying the contents of a whistle-blower disclosure. This verification process ensures that all complaints are accurate, credible, and actionable before any formal investigation or enforcement action is taken.

The Hearing Officer reviews the submitted information to confirm the authenticity, relevance, and sufficiency of the details provided. This step protects the Authority from acting on unverified, false, or incomplete disclosures and ensures that whistle-blowers who provide valid information are properly recognized and protected.

By assigning this verification role to a Hearing Officer, the Act maintains accountability, procedural fairness, and transparency. It also establishes a clear mechanism for systematically processing whistle-blower disclosures, allowing the Authority to prioritize and investigate legitimate complaints efficiently.