BILL REQ. #:  S-1008.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/10/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to requiring a review of the local government whistleblower program; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that there has been no review of the local government whistleblower act, chapter 42.41 RCW, since its adoption in 1992. By examining a sample of local government whistleblower programs for their effectiveness in fulfilling the policy and intent of the act, the legislature intends to determine whether changes to the act are needed or further review is warranted.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The joint legislative audit and review committee shall review a sample of local government whistleblower programs. The committee, in its review, shall consider, but not be limited to, the following factors: The effectiveness of local reporting policies and investigation procedures including the officers responsible for investigations; the role county prosecutors play in employee whistleblower investigations; internal conflicts of interest within the local government agency that may prevent robust investigation of reports of improper governmental action; employee awareness of the whistleblower program; employee confidence in program performance; the effectiveness of the retaliatory action complaint process; and the feasibility of providing an independent party to receive the report of improper governmental action and/or conduct the investigation. The committee shall make recommendations regarding improvements to better facilitate the reporting and investigation of improper governmental action in local governments. The committee shall provide a final report on this review by December 1, 2006.