Protections of federal whistleblowers in security-related areas, would be expanded under legislation (S-2285) introduced by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. The measure, which follows recent hearings into the state of the protections for whistleblowers in intelligence agencies, would strengthen rights of employees in those agencies and the FBI to challenge personnel actions that they believe are retaliatory, allow suits in federal court by employees who believe an action related to a security clearance was retaliatory, create confidential reporting channels to inspectors general and create whistleblower affairs directorates within IG offices. It also would make the worst cases of whistleblower retaliation a criminal offense, and would hold those who engage in prohibited personnel practices civilly liable.