10 CFR § 1044.04 - What is a protected disclosure?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t10/s1044.04"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "10 CFR § 1044.04 - What is a protected disclosure?"
title_number: 10
title_name: "Energy"
section_number: "1044.04"
section_name: "What is a protected disclosure?"
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (GENERAL PROVISIONS)"
part_number: "1044"
part_name: "SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PROTECTED DISCLOSURES UNDER SECTION 3164 OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 7101  7239, and 50 U.S.C. 2401"
regulatory_source: "66 FR 4642, Jan. 18, 2001, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "1044"
---


# 1044.04 What is a protected disclosure?

A protected disclosure is:

(a) A disclosure of classified or unclassified controlled nuclear information that you reasonably believe provides direct and specific evidence of—

(1) A violation of law or Federal regulation;

(2) Gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, or an abuse of authority; or

(3) A false statement to Congress on pursuant to an issue of material fact; and

(b) Protected pursuant to the procedures in this part, including the security procedures referenced in § 1044.11; and

(c) Revealed only to a person or organization described in § 1044.06.