HB1842 Summary

• Streamlines the grievance process for state employees by establishing that grievances apply only to termination or suspension, rather than other adverse actions.

• Requires the Office of Personnel Management to provide hearings within 15 business days for employees claiming termination based on whistleblower activities (reporting waste, violations, participating in investigations, objecting to illegal directives, or reporting loss of public funds).

• Establishes that if an employee demonstrates a reasonable person would conclude termination resulted from protected whistleblower activities, the employee must be reinstated to their position or reinstated and placed on administrative leave pending grievance resolution.

• Creates a nonbinding mediation process after agency hearings and before appeals to the Office of Personnel Management, with mediators considering whether the agency's decision is supported by substantial evidence (for performance issues) or preponderance of evidence (for other factors).

• Specifies that employees do not waive their rights under the Arkansas Whistle-Blower Act by filing grievances or participating in mediation.