Page 657

PUBLIC LAW 111–203—JULY 21, 2010 124 STAT. 2031

(B) the gravity of the violation or failure to pay;
(C) the severity of the risks to or losses of the con-
sumer, which may take into account the number of products
or services sold or provided;
(D) the history of previous violations; and
(E) such other matters as justice may require.
(4) AUTHORITY TO MODIFY OR REMIT PENALTY.—The Bureau
may compromise, modify, or remit any penalty which may
be assessed or had already been assessed under paragraph
(2). The amount of such penalty, when finally determined,
shall be exclusive of any sums owed by the person to the
United States in connection with the costs of the proceeding,
and may be deducted from any sums owing by the United
States to the person charged.
(5) NOTICE AND HEARING.—No civil penalty may be assessed
under this subsection with respect to a violation of any Federal
consumer financial law, unless—
(A) the Bureau gives notice and an opportunity for
a hearing to the person accused of the violation; or
(B) the appropriate court has ordered such assessment
and entered judgment in favor of the Bureau.

SEC. 1056. REFERRALS FOR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS. 12 USC 5566.
If the Bureau obtains evidence that any person, domestic or
foreign, has engaged in conduct that may constitute a violation
of Federal criminal law, the Bureau shall transmit such evidence
to the Attorney General of the United States, who may institute
criminal proceedings under appropriate law. Nothing in this section
affects any other authority of the Bureau to disclose information.

SEC. 1057. EMPLOYEE PROTECTION. 12 USC 5567.
(a) IN GENERAL.—No covered person or service provider shall
terminate or in any other way discriminate against, or cause to
be terminated or discriminated against, any covered employee or
any authorized representative of covered employees by reason of
the fact that such employee or representative, whether at the initia-
tive of the employee or in the ordinary course of the duties of
the employee (or any person acting pursuant to a request of the
employee), has—
(1) provided, caused to be provided, or is about to provide
or cause to be provided, information to the employer, the
Bureau, or any other State, local, or Federal, government
authority or law enforcement agency relating to any violation
of, or any act or omission that the employee reasonably believes
to be a violation of, any provision of this title or any other
provision of law that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Bureau,
or any rule, order, standard, or prohibition prescribed by the
Bureau;
(2) testified or will testify in any proceeding resulting from
the administration or enforcement of any provision of this title
or any other provision of law that is subject to the jurisdiction
of the Bureau, or any rule, order, standard, or prohibition
prescribed by the Bureau;
(3) filed, instituted, or caused to be filed or instituted
any proceeding under any Federal consumer financial law; or

LAWS (4) objected to, or refused to participate in, any activity, policy, practice, or assigned task that the employee (or other such person) reasonably believed to be in violation of any law,PUBLIC with on anorris VerDate Nov 24 2008 10:40 Sep 02, 2010 Jkt 089139 PO 00203 Frm 00657 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL203.111 APPS06 PsN: PUBL203