The proposed bill establishes new protections for employees and individuals who disclose information regarding violations of ethics to the Commission on Ethics. It creates a new section, 112.3242, which prohibits agencies and independent contractors from taking adverse personnel actions against employees or other individuals for reporting such violations. The bill defines key terms, including "adverse personnel action," and outlines the types of information that must be disclosed, which includes any suspected violations of ethical standards or constitutional provisions. It also specifies that employees and individuals who file complaints or provide information during investigations are protected from retaliation.

Additionally, the bill allows employees and applicants for employment to file complaints and seek remedies, including civil actions, if they experience adverse actions due to their disclosures. It mandates that local governmental authorities establish procedures for handling such complaints and provides for various forms of relief, such as reinstatement and compensation for lost wages. The bill also amends existing law to require the Commission on Ethics to deliver complaints to agencies conducting investigations and to individuals who request them, while maintaining certain exemptions for confidentiality. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.