SB 485 Summary

• Expands the definition of "employee" under the Whistleblowers' Protection Act to include independent contractors and prospective employees who previously engaged in protected activities.

• Extends protected activities to include reporting, planned violations, and suspected violations of law, plus refusing to participate in unlawful activities; adds protection for employees being hired.

• Increases the statute of limitations for civil actions from 90 days to 2 years and allows employees to demand a jury trial.

• Increases civil penalties for violations from $500 to $10,000 for each separate violation.

• Creates a requirement that the state pay 30% of money recovered from violations reported by employees to the employee who first reported the violation.