Sec. 3. (a) An employee of a private employer that is under public contract may report in writing the existence of:

(1) a violation of a federal law or regulation;

(2) a violation of a state law or rule;

(3) a violation of an ordinance of a political subdivision (as defined in IC 36-1-2-13); or

(4) the misuse of public resources;

concerning the execution of public contract first to the private employer, unless the private employer is the person whom the employee believes is committing the violation or misuse of public resources. In that case, the employee may report the violation or misuse of public resources in writing to either the private employer or to any official or agency entitled to receive a report from the state ethics commission under IC 4-2-6-4(b)(2)(J) or IC 4-2-6-4(b)(2)(K). If a good faith effort is not made to correct the problem within a reasonable time, the employee may submit a written report of the incident to any person, agency, or organization.

(b) For having made a report under subsection (a), an employee may not:

(1) be dismissed from employment;

(2) have salary increases or employment related benefits withheld;

(3) be transferred or reassigned;

(4) be denied a promotion that the employee otherwise would have received; or

(5) be demoted.

(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) through (b), an employee must make a reasonable attempt to ascertain the correctness of any information to be furnished and may be subject to disciplinary actions for knowingly furnishing false information, including suspension or dismissal, as determined by the employer. However, any employee disciplined under this subsection is entitled to process an appeal of the disciplinary action as a civil action in a court of general jurisdiction.

(d) An employer who violates this section commits a Class A infraction.

As added by P.L.32-1987, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.9-1990, SEC.14; P.L.149-2016, SEC.67.