WHISTLEBLOWER ACT
Summary
Creates the Whistleblower Act. Provides that an employer may not: make, adopt, or enforce any rule, regulation, or policy preventing an employee from disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency if the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation; retaliate against an employee for disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency, where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation; or retaliate against an employee for refusing to participate in an activity that would result in a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation. Provides that a report made by an employee of a government agency to his or her employer is a disclosure of information to a government or law enforcement agency under the Act. Violation is a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that, if an employer takes any action against an employee in violation of the Act, the employee may bring a civil action against the employer for all relief necessary to make the employee whole, including but not limited to reinstatement, back pay, compensation for damages, litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney's fees. Provides that the Act does not apply to an employer that is a governmental entity. Provides that the Act does not apply to disclosures that would constitute a violation of the attorney-client privilege.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2003
Committee Review
May 2003
Senate Passage
May 2003
House Passage
May 2003
Signed into Law
Aug 2003
Introduced Mar 27, 2003
Signed Aug 18, 2003
Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2003 · House May 22, 2003
How they voted
49–0
Passed
Total votes 49
Mar 27, 2003
D
Democratic27
100% Yea
R
Republican22
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
50
Key actions
8
Committee
9
Amendments
3
Aug 18, 2003
Signed into law
Governor Approved
upper
May 22, 2003
Upper · Passed
Passed Both Houses
upper
May 22, 2003
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (78-28)
house
May 8, 2003
Lower · Passed
Do Pass / Standard Debate Judiciary I - Civil Law Committee; 010-003-000
lower
Apr 29, 2003
Committee
Re-assigned to Judiciary I - Civil Law Committee
lower
Mar 31, 2003
Committee
Assigned to Executive Committee
lower
Mar 27, 2003
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Mar 27, 2003
Introduced
Arrived in House
lower
Mar 27, 2003
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (49-0)
senate
Mar 25, 2003
Upper · Passed
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Garrett
upper
Mar 25, 2003
Upper · Passed
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Be Adopted Executive; 011-000-000
upper
Mar 24, 2003
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Executive
upper
Mar 24, 2003
Committee
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules
upper
Mar 24, 2003
Introduced
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Susan Garrett
upper
Mar 6, 2003
Upper · Passed
Do Pass Executive; 012-000-000
upper
Feb 27, 2003
Committee
Assigned to Executive
upper
Feb 20, 2003
Committee
Referred to Rules
upper
0 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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