This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to enhance whistleblower protections for public employees by introducing new definitions and expanding the scope of protected disclosures. Specifically, it adds definitions for "Abuse," "Fraud," and "Waste," which describe actions that result in unnecessary costs to state programs, intentional deception to acquire benefits, and misuse of resources, respectively. These definitions aim to clarify the types of misconduct that employees can report without fear of retaliation.

Additionally, the bill modifies the existing provisions under section 181.932 to explicitly protect public employees who report fraud, waste, or abuse related to state agency programs. It broadens the list of prohibited retaliatory actions by employers against employees who make such reports, ensuring that employees can disclose concerns to various authorities, including governmental bodies and law enforcement, without facing discrimination or retaliation. The bill emphasizes the importance of safeguarding whistleblowers while maintaining the confidentiality of protected data.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 181.932
1st Engrossment: 181.931, 181.932