The Commandant, in order to determine the effectiveness of Federal policies, programs, and activities related to the families of Coast Guard members, may survey—

(1) any Coast Guard member;

(2) any retired Coast Guard member;

(3) the immediate family of any Coast Guard member or retired Coast Guard member; and

(4) any survivor of a deceased Coast Guard member.

Participation in any survey conducted under subsection (a) shall be voluntary.

Each person surveyed under subsection (a) shall be considered an employee of the United States for purposes of section 3502(3)(A)(i) of title 44.

(Added Pub. L. 113–281, title II, § 214(a), Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3029, § 532; renumbered § 2902, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 117(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4230.)