A newly filed bill could provide additional protections for employees who report workplace violations.
Fort Walton Beach Republican Rep. Patt Maney filed the measure (HB 139). The legislation aims to protect employees and individuals from retaliation from their employers if they report ethics violations to the Florida Commission on Ethics.
The bill includes several key provisions to protect whistleblowers, including a prohibition on public agencies and independent contractors from demoting, firing, withholding bonuses or reducing the salary of any employee, applicant or other individual who files a written complaint or assists in any resulting investigations.
Written complaints to the Commission must include an outline of violations or suspected violations of the Florida Constitution or any state provisions.
However, those knowingly filing false reports or information would be exempt from these whistleblower protections, including if they had knowledge of, or participated in, the violation.
The bill further provides legal remedies, allowing whistleblowers to file complaints directly with the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Complainants would be able to choose to pursue an administrative remedy or bring a civil action against the employer within 180 days after they have received a receipt from the Commission on Human Relations that an investigation had been terminated.
Local public employees who have been discharged, disciplined or denied employment would be able to...
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