MS HB1415

Amends Mississippi whistleblower protection law to allow public employees who suffer workplace retaliation to sue for compensatory damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees in addition to back pay and reinstatement.

Expands the definition of retaliatory actions to include unwarranted reprimands, unsatisfactory performance evaluations, demotion, pay reduction, denial of promotion, suspension, dismissal, and denial of employment.

Allows lawsuits to be filed in Circuit Court for Hinds County's First Judicial District or the employee's home county circuit court, with employees required to prove by preponderance of evidence that adverse action would not have occurred "but for" whistleblowing activity.

Establishes individual liability for agency governing board members up to $10,000 per violation and for agency executive directors up to $10,000 where no governing board exists.

Effective date: July 1, 2013.