HB1234 Summary

• Prohibits employers from retaliating against public employees who report violations of law, regulations, or misuse of public resources in good faith to agency heads, state's attorneys, the attorney general, law enforcement, or employee organizations.

• Expands protected whistleblowing activities to include employees requested to participate in investigations or hearings, and employees who refuse illegal orders when they have an objective factual basis for their belief.

• Establishes three complaint and appeal mechanisms: filing with the labor department for voluntary compliance assistance within 300 days of alleged wrongdoing; appealing to the human resource management services division or appropriate state/local office; or bringing a civil action for injunctive relief or damages.

• Requires the state auditor to investigate whistleblower reports made to the attorney general, labor commissioner, state's attorney, or law enforcement (with attorney general investigating if employee works for state auditor), and provides employees anonymity during investigation.

• Makes the state auditor's investigation report appealable and requiring the employer to implement remedial actions if violations are found, with the auditor tracking compliance.