The proposed bill establishes Section 112.3242 of the Florida Statutes, which aims to protect employees from adverse personnel actions taken by agencies or independent contractors in retaliation for disclosing certain information to the Commission on Ethics. The bill defines "adverse personnel action" to include actions such as discharge, suspension, or demotion, and outlines the types of violations that can be reported, including breaches of public trust and violations of specific constitutional provisions. It also specifies that employees and individuals who submit complaints or provide information during investigations are protected under this section.

Additionally, the bill allows employees or applicants for employment to file complaints and pursue administrative remedies or civil actions within a specified timeframe if they experience retaliation. Local public employees are granted the ability to file complaints with local governmental authorities, and the bill outlines the procedures for handling such complaints. Relief measures for successful claims include reinstatement, compensation for lost wages, and the possibility of attorney fees. The bill also includes an affirmative defense for employers, stating that they can defend against claims if they can prove the adverse action was based on grounds unrelated to the protected disclosure. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.