FL H1035

Creates section 1012.08, Florida Statutes, establishing whistleblower protections for school district instructional and administrative personnel as defined in sections 1012.01(2) and (3)(c).

Grants protected school employees a cause of action under the Whistleblower's Act (s. 112.3187) if they are discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed, or otherwise discriminated against for disclosing school-related fraud, suspected law or rule violations, dishonest reporting, or activities negatively affecting student education or school performance.

Protections apply to employees whose disclosures involve improper use of school district practices or procedures, misrepresentation of services, or incidents with negative effects on education or school performance.

Effective date is July 1, 2017.