HB 16-1078 Summary

• Prohibits counties, municipalities, and local education providers from taking disciplinary action against employees for disclosing information about violations of law, waste of public funds, fraud, abuse of authority, mismanagement, or dangers to health and safety.

• Employees must make a good faith effort to first report concerns to their supervisor, appointing authority, or board member before public disclosure to receive protection.

• Protection does not apply to false disclosures, disclosures made with reckless disregard for truth, or disclosures of protected public records and confidential information that were not reasonably necessary to show violations.

• Employees may file a written complaint with the Office of Administrative Courts within 90 days of disciplinary action, which refers cases to an administrative law judge, with appeal rights to district court.

• Prevailing employees may recover damages, court costs, and other relief deemed appropriate by the court or administrative law judge.