When must the public be noticed of a Tier 3 violation?

• A. within 24 hours
• B. within 30 days
• C. within 12 months
• D. within 18 months

Answer: (C)

Public notice for a Tier 3 violation is expected within about a year after the violation is identified. The idea here is to balance timely transparency with the practical steps agencies take to investigate and verify the violation before publicly sharing details. A one-year window gives enough time for proper documentation, assessment, and coordination with the affected parties, while still ensuring the public isn’t left in the dark for too long.

Shorter timeframes like within 24 hours would apply to immediate emergencies, not a non-emergency Tier 3 issue. A 30-day window might be too soon for a formal public notice that requires verification and review, and 18 months is unnecessarily long and would delay public awareness.