Any person, other than an officer or employee of the United States , or a person exercising inspection functions under a State plan pursuant to section 5422 of this title , who knowingly and willfully fails to report a violation of any construction or safety standard established under section 5403 of this title may be fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned for up to one year, or both. ( Pub. L. 93–383, title VI, § 621 , Aug. 22, 1974 , 88 Stat. 712 .) Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries Effective Date Section effective upon the expiration of 180 days following Aug. 22, 1974 , see section 627 of Pub. L. 93–383 , set out as a note under section 5401 of this title .