HB-4467 Summary

• Establishes the "Worker Freedom Act" to protect employees from being required to attend employer-sponsored meetings or communications designed to promote the employer's religious or political views.

• Prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, or penalizing employees who report suspected violations of the act, bring legal action to enforce it, or cooperate in investigations or proceedings related to enforcement.

• Allows aggrieved employees to bring civil actions within 1 year of the alleged violation and entitles prevailing employees to damages, equitable relief including reinstatement, reasonable attorney fees and costs, and up to 3 times actual damages as exemplary damages.

• Exempts from the act's prohibitions meetings or communications by religious, political, or labor organizations directed to their own employees, and lectures or classes required of student instructors covering regular coursework at educational institutions.

• Provides this act as an alternative remedy without limiting employees' rights to pursue common law wrongful termination claims or rights under collective bargaining agreements.