Minneslate Logo

HF23 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Whistleblower protections for public employees modifications

Related bill: SF475

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to strengthen the protections for whistleblowers who are public employees in Minnesota. By expanding definitions and conditions under which employees are protected, the bill seeks to ensure that employees can report wrongful activities without the fear of retaliation.

Main Provisions

  • Expanded Definitions: The bill adds specific definitions to the Minnesota statutes concerning fraud, misuse, and personal gain.

    • Fraud is defined as any intentional or deceptive act aimed at obtaining unlawful benefits.
    • Misuse refers to the improper use of authority or position for personal benefit or to harm others, including the inappropriate use of public resources contrary to their intended purpose.
    • Personal Gain encompasses any benefit to an individual, their immediate family, or dependents.

  • Whistleblower Protections:

    • Extends the protections to public employees who report violations or announce findings that are believed to be truthful and accurate.
    • It prohibits employers from taking retaliatory actions against employees for reporting violations of laws, standards, or for participating in investigations or hearings.
    • Employers cannot discipline or discriminate against employees who refuse to carry out actions they believe are unlawful.

  • Protected Activities:

    • Specific activities protected under this bill include reporting violations of laws, ethical standards breaches in healthcare, and misuses of public resources.
    • Protects employees who communicate legitimate scientific or technical findings related to public safety or fraud.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The amendments enhance current whistleblower protections by expanding the scope of what actions and communications are protected.
  • It broadens the range of individuals and entities to whom employees can report, including governmental bodies, law enforcement, and legislative members.

Relevant Terms

fraud, misuse, personal gain, whistleblower protections, public employees, retaliation, reporting violations, fraud in public programs, misuse of authority, whistleblower disclosures, state and federal law compliance, retaliatory actions

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 12, 2025SenateFloorActionReceived from House
February 05, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toState Government Finance and Policy
March 12, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 09, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthors added
March 12, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety
February 12, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthors added
February 16, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer toWorkforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
February 16, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthors added
February 18, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
February 19, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
February 23, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthors added
March 05, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt
March 05, 2025HouseFloorActionSecond reading
March 05, 2025HouseFloorActionHouse rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
March 09, 2025HouseFloorActionAmended
March 09, 2025HouseFloorActionThird reading as amended
March 09, 2025HouseFloorActionBill was passed as amended
March 09, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New language protecting disclosures related to fraud or misuse within state programs."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "None, existing protections are expanded."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies whistleblower protections for public employees under section 181.932.",
      "modified": [
        "Expanded scope of whistleblower protections to include reports to constitutional officers."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "181.932"
  }
]

Sponsors