Whistleblower bill a good fix

During our current legislative session, Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque, has introduced a bill, Senate Bill 299, to make improvements to our Whistleblower Protection Act. The changes are not expansive, but could benefit New Mexicans to the tune of millions of dollars. Employees should be able to report violations without being retaliated against. The bill recommends narrowing to whom these violations are reported. It currently allows for reports to be made to anyone. The new wording states the report should go to the public employer or a person who can further the public interest.

The Whistleblower Protection Act has caused a tripling of the number of claims added to employment lawsuits. The New Mexico Public Schools Insurance Authority reports that the average cost per employment claim has tripled. The act has cost taxpayers $31 million in claims.

Another recommendation requires that all administrative remedies through the Human Rights Bureau would be exhausted before a civil action can be filed. This would put it in line with other administrative remedies processed through the bureau, like the New Mexico Human Resources Act and Title VII.

The recommended improvements to the Whistleblower Protection Act would be good for New Mexico. I support the passage of Senate Bill 299.