SB 1046 - Under this act, the employment-at-will doctrine shall not control when elements of a whistle-blower cause of action for wrongful discharge are established. This cause of action is established if an employee proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the employee reported to the proper authorities conduct that the employee had a good faith and reasonable belief violated a statute, constitutional provision, or regulation and a clearly mandated public policy; the employee was discharged; and the act of reporting was the exclusive factor in the discharge. Similarly, the employment-at-will doctrine shall not control when elements of a refusal to commit an illegal act cause of action for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy are established. This cause of action is established if an employee proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the employer directed the employee to perform conduct that would, if completed, violate a statute, constitutional provision, or regulation and a clearly mandated public policy; the employee specifically refused to perform the act; the employee was discharged; and the refusal to perform the act was the exclusive factor in the discharge.
This act is similar to HB 1456 (2006) and SB 168 (2007).
CHRIS HOGERTY