The Whistleblower Protection Act

Article 10 deals with the Whistleblower Protection Act. Section 9149.20 states the article may be known as the Whistleblower Protection Act. Section 9149.21 declares legislative intent that state employees and other persons should disclose, to the extent not expressly prohibited by law, improper governmental activities.

Section 9149.22 defines the following terms: “committee,” “employee,” “improper governmental activity,” “person,” and “use of official authority or influence.”

Section 9149.33 specifies that an employee may not directly or indirectly use or attempt to use the official authority or influence of the employee for the purpose of intimidating, threatening, coercing, commanding, or attempting to intimidate, threaten, coerce, or command any person for the purpose of interfering with the right of that person to disclose to a legislative committee improper governmental activities. In addition, any employee who violates this law may be liable in an action for civil damages brought against the employee by the offended party.