Missouri Senate Passes Government Whistleblower Protection Bill
JEFFERSON CITY —The Missouri Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 786, sponsored by State Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, legislation restoring and strengthening protections for government whistleblowers.
“Government whistleblowers help to expose waste, fraud and corruption,” said Sen. Jill Schupp. “Last year, government whistleblowers had their protections taken away. Today, the Missouri Senate took a major step forward in restoring these protections and putting a stop to government secrecy. I look forward to working with legislators in the Missouri House of Representatives to get this bipartisan legislation across the finish line.”
Senate Bill 786 includes provisions to increase transparency and taxpayer protections, and put an end to the non-disclosure agreements that have been misused in order to hide inappropriate behavior from the public. Additionally, under this legislation, if the misconduct alleged by a public employee involves the taking and spending of public funds, the employee may request an investigation by the state auditor.
Last year, the governor signed Senate Bill 43 into law, legislation that removed protections for government whistleblowers.
For more information on Sen. Schupp’s legislation, visit her official Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/schupp.
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