diff --git a/scripts/create_audit_bundle.py b/scripts/create_audit_bundle.py
index 0b79535..9d63bc7 100644
--- a/scripts/create_audit_bundle.py
+++ b/scripts/create_audit_bundle.py
@@ -145,10 +145,14 @@ def scan_bundle(root: Path) -> list[str]:
             and "forbidden attribution" not in text.lower()
         ):
             if rel.name.endswith(".md") and (
-                "checklist" in str(rel) or "validate_public_mvp" in str(rel)
+                "checklist" in str(rel)
+                or "validate_public_mvp" in str(rel)
+                or "contributor-onboarding" in str(rel)
             ):
                 continue
             issues.append(f"forbidden attribution marker: {rel}")
+        if rel.name == "create_audit_bundle.py":
+            continue
         for pattern in SECRET_PATTERNS:
             if pattern.search(text):
                 issues.append(f"suspected secret in {rel}")
diff --git a/scripts/live_e2e_validation.py b/scripts/live_e2e_validation.py
index 3f03952..e79824f 100644
--- a/scripts/live_e2e_validation.py
+++ b/scripts/live_e2e_validation.py
@@ -332,7 +332,23 @@ def run_validation(
         if report_id:
             status, body, _ = request_json(opener, "GET", f"{api}/reports/{report_id}")
             report.add(
-                "report get", status == 200, redact(json.dumps(body)[:300]), status
+                "report get public pending",
+                status == 404,
+                redact(json.dumps(body)[:300]),
+                status,
+            )
+
+            status, body, _ = request_json(
+                opener,
+                "GET",
+                f"{api}/reports/{report_id}",
+                headers=auth_headers,
+            )
+            report.add(
+                "report get reporter pending",
+                status == 200 and isinstance(body, dict) and body.get("status") == "pending",
+                redact(json.dumps(body)[:300]),
+                status,
             )
 
             status, body, _ = request_json(
@@ -343,7 +359,10 @@ def run_validation(
                 headers=auth_headers,
             )
             report.add(
-                "vote create", status == 201, redact(json.dumps(body)[:200]), status
+                "vote create pending report",
+                status == 422,
+                redact(json.dumps(body)[:200]),
+                status,
             )
 
     status, body, _ = request_json(opener, "GET", f"{api}/moderation/reports")
diff --git a/scripts/test_audit_bundle_packaging.py b/scripts/test_audit_bundle_packaging.py
index 5586aa8..c4f6af4 100644
--- a/scripts/test_audit_bundle_packaging.py
+++ b/scripts/test_audit_bundle_packaging.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
+import shutil
 import subprocess
 import sys
 import tarfile
@@ -53,3 +54,25 @@ def test_tarball_excludes_appledouble_files() -> None:
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     test_tarball_excludes_appledouble_files()
     print("PASS")
+
+
+def test_scan_bundle_allows_contributor_onboarding_policy_text() -> None:
+    """Policy docs that mention forbidden markers in guidance must not fail hygiene scans."""
+    repo_root = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+    script = repo_root / "scripts" / "create_audit_bundle.py"
+    import importlib.util
+
+    spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location("cab", script)
+    module = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
+    assert spec.loader is not None
+    spec.loader.exec_module(module)
+
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as temp_dir:
+        bundle_root = Path(temp_dir) / "sample-bundle"
+        source_dir = bundle_root / "source"
+        source_dir.mkdir(parents=True)
+        onboarding = repo_root / "docs" / "contributor-onboarding.md"
+        shutil.copy2(onboarding, source_dir / "contributor-onboarding.md")
+        shutil.copy2(script, source_dir / "create_audit_bundle.py")
+        issues = module.scan_bundle(bundle_root)
+        assert issues == []