1978.100—Purpose and scope.
(a)
This part implements the procedures of the employee protection (whistleblower) provision of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (STAA), 49 U.S.C. 31105, as amended, which protects employees from retaliation because the employee has engaged in, or, in some circumstances is perceived to have engaged in, protected activity pertaining to commercial motor vehicle safety, health, or security matters.
(b)
This part establishes procedures pursuant to the statutory provision set forth above for the expeditious handling of retaliation complaints filed by employees, or by persons acting on their behalf. These rules, together with those rules codified at 29 CFR part 18, set forth the procedures for submission of complaints, investigations, issuance of findings and preliminary orders, objections to findings, litigation before administrative law judges (ALJs), post-hearing administrative review, withdrawals and settlements, and judicial review and enforcement.