; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Whistleblower disclosure defined In this section, the term whistleblower disclosure has the meaning given such term in section 323(g) of this title. . 103. Report on methods used to investigate employees of Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Report required Not later than 540 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on methods used to investigate employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs and whether such methods are used to retaliate against whistleblowers. (b) Contents The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of the use of administrative investigation boards, peer review, searches of medical records, and other methods for investigating employees of the Department. (2) A determination of whether and to what degree the methods described in paragraph (1) are being used to retaliate against whistleblowers. (3) Recommendations for legislative or administrative action to implement safeguards to prevent the retaliation described in paragraph (2). (c) Whistleblower defined In this section, the term whistleblower has the meaning given such term in section 323 of title 38, United States Code, as added by section 101. II Accountability of senior executives, supervisors, and other employees 201. Improved authorities of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve accountability of senior executives (a) In general Section 713 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 713. Senior executives: removal, demotion, or suspension based on performance or misconduct (a) Authority (1) The Secretary may, as provided in this section, reprimand or suspend, involuntarily reassign, demote, or remove a covered individual from a senior executive position