‘Whistle Blowers’ Given Protection
Legislation making it a crime to retaliate against public employee “whistle blowers” has been signed into law by Gov. George Deukmejian.
The law, authored by Assemblyman Larry Stirling (R-San Diego), was prompted by complaints to Stirling from employees at San Diego County’s Hillcrest mental health hospital.
The law was signed by Deukmejian on Wednesday and goes into effect Jan. 1. It prohibits retaliation or reprisal by superiors or management against public employees who legitimately disclose information about mismanagement, waste of public funds, abuse of authority or a substantial danger to public health or safety.
Retaliation is defined in the act as “intimidation, restraint, coercion or discrimination against any employee, or applicant for employment, who files a legitimate complaint concerning workplace activities.”
Supervisors would be subject to up to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
