Whistleblowers: private entities awarded large state contracts.

The California Whistleblower Protection Act authorizes the California State Auditor to receive and investigate complaints about state employees or state agencies that have engaged in improper governmental activities, as defined. The act applies to state agencies, as defined, and to the University of California, the California State University, and courts, as specified. Under the act, a person who intentionally engages in acts of reprisal, retaliation, threats, coercion or similar acts against a state employee, University of California employee, California State University employee, court employee, or an applicant for such employment for having made a protected disclosure, as defined, is subject to civil liability and criminal penalties. This bill would expand these provisions to certain private entities awarded large state contracts, as defined, and their employees. Because this bill would create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.