HB 1148 Summary

• Establishes public policy to protect whistleblowers reporting wrongdoing in state agencies, political subdivisions, public trusts, and private sector workplaces from retaliation.

• Defines "retaliation" as any threat or action to terminate, demote, refuse promotion, threaten, or intimidate a whistleblower for reporting wrongdoing.

• Makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year incarceration and $5,000 fine for public officials, employees, employers, or supervisors who retaliate against whistleblowers; offenders also prohibited from holding public office or employment.

• Creates civil liability for all economic, emotional, and mental anguish damages plus punitive damages, with successful whistleblowers entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2025.