CA AB289

Establishes the Legislative Employee Whistleblower Protection Act prohibiting Members of the Legislature and legislative employees from using official authority to interfere with or retaliate against employees who make protected disclosures of ethics violations.

Defines "protected disclosure" as filing complaints with the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee, Senate Committee on Legislative Ethics, Assembly Legislative Ethics Committee, Assembly Rules Committee, or designated ethics ombudsperson regarding violations of legislative ethics or conduct standards.

Creates civil and criminal liability for violations, including fines up to $10,000 and county jail imprisonment up to one year, plus civil damages liability (with potential punitive damages if malicious) and attorney's fees.

Requires legislative employees to file written complaints with supervisors or designated officers within one year of improper acts, and allows direct civil action without requiring prior complaint filing.

Exempts the state from reimbursement obligations to local agencies and school districts under California Constitution Article XIII B because the bill only creates new criminal penalties.