Patt Maney champions whistleblower protections in workplace reform bill

A newly filed bill could provide additional protections for employees who report workplace violations.

Fort Walton Beach Republican Rep. Patt Maney filed the measure (HB 139). The legislation aims to protect employees and individuals from retaliation from their employers if they report ethics violations to the Florida Commission on Ethics.

The bill includes several key provisions to protect whistleblowers, including a prohibition on public agencies and independent contractors from demoting, firing, withholding bonuses or reducing the salary of any employee, applicant or other individual who files a written complaint or assists in any resulting investigations.

Written complaints to the Commission must include an outline of violations or suspected violations of the Florida Constitution or any state provisions.

However, those knowingly filing false reports or information would be exempt from these whistleblower protections, including if they had knowledge of, or participated in, the violation.

The bill further provides legal remedies, allowing whistleblowers to file complaints directly with the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Complainants would be able to choose to pursue an administrative remedy or bring a civil action against the employer within 180 days after they have received a receipt from the Commission on Human Relations that an investigation had been terminated.

Local public employees who have been discharged, disciplined or denied employment would be able to file complaints with an appropriate local governmental authority within 60 days if that authority has established administrative procedures to handle such complaints, or has contracted with the Division of Administrative Hearings.

The administrative procedure must provide for the complaint to be heard by a panel of impartial persons who would make a decision that would then be handed back to the local authority to make a final decision.

Upon making a final decision, the local employee would then be allowed to file a civil action in court. If there is not an established administrative procedure in place at the time that any adverse action is taken against a local employee, they could file a civil action within 180 days.

Relief could include reinstatement, compensation, attorneys fees and injunctions if the employee prevails. The bill further notes that employers can defend themselves against any claims by providing proof that the action was based on legitimate grounds that were unrelated to any disclosures made by the employee.

An identical bill (HB 495) was filed during the 2025 Legislative Session by Naples Republican Rep. Yvette Benarroch. The measure failed to advance through a single committee.

If passed, the new bill would take effect July 1, 2026.