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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
HOUSE BILL NO. 3023 By: Humphrey
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
An Act relating to whistleblower protection; stating
public policy; defining term; prescribing criminal
punishment for certain actions; providing for
incarceration; providing for imposition of fine;
providing for civil cause of action; specifying
recoverable damages; providing for awa rd of attorney
fees; providing for award of cos ts; providing for
codification; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 25001 of Title 74, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
It is the public policy of this state to protect those persons
disclosing wrongdoing by state agencies, political subdivisions,
public trusts, and those in the private sector who have supervisory
or other controls over persons in th eir workplace who report
wrongdoing without fear or threat of retaliation. Such persons
reporting wrongdoing shall be known as "whistleblowers".
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SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 25002 of Title 74, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. As used in this section "retaliation" means any threat or
action to terminate, demote, refusal to promote , threaten or
intimidate a whistle blower who reports wrongdoing.
B. Any public official and/or employee, employer or employee
who supervises a whistleblower that engages in an action or activity
that violated public policy as defined in Section 1 of this act for
reporting wrongdoing shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by
incarceration for up to one (1) year and a Five Thousand Dollar
($5,000.00) fine, and liable civilly for all economic, emotional and
mental anguish directly caused thereby together with punitive
damages, and such person shall be prohibited from holding any public
office or employment.
C. Any whistle blower who successfully prosecutes an action
under this act shall be entitled to a r easonable attorney fee
together with costs.
SECTION 3. This act shall become effective November 1, 2024.
59-2-10342 LRB 02/20/24