; and (2) in paragraph (2), by striking in connection with a proceeding before a hearing officer and inserting in connection with a complaint under this section . 103. Victims’ Counsel (a) Availability of Victims’ Counsel Title IV ( 2 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 407 the following new section: 407A. Victims’ Counsel (a) Availability of Counsel (1) In general A covered employee who alleges a violation of part A of title II shall be offered the option of receiving assistance from a Victims’ Counsel under this section upon— (A) the employee’s request for counseling by the Office under section 402, in the case of a covered employee who makes such a request; or (B) the filing by the employee of a complaint with the Office in accordance with section 405, in the case of a covered employee who does not make a request for counseling by the Office under section 402. (2) Timing of providing option to receive assistance Prior to requesting any statement from an individual described in paragraph (1) regarding the allegation made by the individual (including an individual who makes the allegation anonymously in requesting counseling under section 402), or conducting any other form of investigation of the allegation, the Office shall notify the individual of the availability of assistance from a Victims’ Counsel under this section. (3) Continuing availability of assistance The Office shall inform an individual described in paragraph (1) that if the individual declines the assistance of a Victims’ Counsel, in whole or in part, at the time the assistance is offered under paragraph (1), the individual may subsequently request such assistance and such assistance will be provided to the individual. (b) Designation (1) In general The Board shall designate legal counsel, to be known as Victims’ Counsel , to— (A) provide legal assistance in accordance with this section to a covered employee who alleges a violation of part A of title II