SENATE FLOOR VERSION - HB3023 SFLR Page 1
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SENATE FLOOR VERSION
April 9, 2024
AS AMENDED
ENGROSSED HOUSE
BILL NO. 3023 By: Humphrey of the House
and
Bullard of the Senate
[ whistleblower protection - public policy -
punishment - incarceration - fine - civil cause of
action - recoverable damages - attorney fees - costs
- codification - 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 7 4, 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 their workplace who report
wrongdoing without fear or threat of retaliation. Such persons
reporting wrongdoing shall be known as "whistleblowers".
SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of l aw to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 25002 of Title 74, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
SENATE FLOOR VERSION - HB3023 SFLR Page 2
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A. As used in this section "retaliation" means any threat or
action to terminate, demote, refusal to promote, th reaten 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 wi th punitive
damages, and such person shall be prohibited from hold ing any public
office or employment.
C. Any whistle blower who successfully prosecutes an action
under this act shall be entitled to a reasonable attorney fee
together with costs.
SECTION 3. This act shall become effective November 1, 2024.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
April 9, 2024 - DO PASS AS AMENDED