OH HB439

Amends section 124.341 of the Revised Code to expand whistleblower protections for classified and unclassified civil service employees who report violations or misuse of public resources.

Employees may report violations or misuse to: their supervisor or appointing authority, an office of internal audit, the auditor of state's fraud-reporting system, or the inspector general.

Prohibits appointing authorities from taking disciplinary action against employees for making protected reports, including removal, suspension, withholding benefits, transfer, denial of promotion, or pay reduction.

Employees remain subject to discipline for purposely, knowingly, or recklessly reporting false information if they fail to make reasonable efforts to determine accuracy.

Employees alleging retaliation have thirty days to appeal to the state personnel board of review, which may affirm, disaffirm, or issue other appropriate orders; appeals are subject to Chapter 119 judicial review procedures.