AR HB1945

Prohibits public employers from taking adverse action against employees who report losses of public funds under § 25-1-124.

Protects preliminary investigation materials and documentation as privileged and confidential, while requiring final reports on waste or violations to be open to public inspection except where other law exempts documents.

Requires public employers to post 8.5" x 11" signs notifying employees of their rights to report waste or violations and providing telephone hotline numbers if available; Arkansas Legislative Audit shall prepare and make signs available electronically.

Requires state criminal background checks by the Department of Arkansas State Police before hiring applicants for positions with supervisory fiduciary responsibility over all fiscal matters; public employers may pay the fee or require applicants to pay.

Mandates public employees with supervisory fiduciary responsibility over all fiscal matters report losses of public funds to Arkansas Legislative Audit within 5 business days; purposely failing to report is a Class A misdemeanor.