[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 4]
[Revised as of January 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR246.21]

[Page 384]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
    CHAPTER II--FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 246_SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS AND 
CHILDREN--Table of Contents
 
                     Subpart F_Monitoring and Review
 
Sec.  246.21  Investigations.

    (a) Authority. The Department may make an investigation of any 
allegation of noncompliance with this part and FNS guidelines and 
instructions. The investigation may include, where appropriate, a review 
of pertinent practices and policies of any State or local agency, the 
circumstances under which the possible noncompliance with this part 
occurred, and other factors relevant to a determination as to whether 
the State or local agency has failed to comply with the requirements of 
this part.
    (b) Confidentiality. No State or local agency, participant, or other 
person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any 
individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege 
under this part because that person has made a complaint or formal 
allegation, or has testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in 
an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this part. The identity 
of every complainant shall be kept confidential except to the extent 
necessary to carry out the purposes of this part, including the 
conducting of any investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding.