Sec. 42. (a) An employee in the state civil service system may file a complaint concerning the application of a law, rule, or policy to the complainant. However, a gubernatorial appointee does not have standing to file a complaint under this section.

(b) A complaint filed under this section must identify the law, rule, or policy that was allegedly violated.

(c) An employee who files a complaint under this section must initiate the complaint procedure as soon as possible after the occurrence of the act or condition complained of, and not later than thirty (30) calendar days after the date the employee became aware, or by the exercise of reasonable diligence should have been aware, of the occurrence giving rise to the complaint. An employee who does not initiate the complaint procedure within the thirty (30) day period waives the right to file that complaint.

(d) A remedy granted under this section may not extend back more than thirty (30) calendar days before the complaint was initiated.

(e) The following complaint procedure is established:

Step I: The complainant shall reduce the complaint to writing and present the complaint to the appointing authority or the appointing authority's designated representative. The appointing authority or designee shall conduct any investigation considered necessary and issue a decision, in writing, not later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the date the appointing authority receives the complaint.

Step II: If the appointing authority or the appointing authority's designated representative does not find in favor of the complainant, the complainant may submit the complaint to the director not later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the date of the appointing authority's finding. The director or the director's designee shall review the complaint and issue a decision not later than thirty (30) calendar days after the date the complaint is submitted to the director.

Step III: If the employee is not satisfied with the director's decision, the employee may submit an appeal in writing to the commission not later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the date the employee receives notice of the action taken by the director or the director's designee. The commission shall determine whether all previous steps were completed properly and in a timely manner, and, subject to subsection (f), whether the employee and subject of the complaint meet the jurisdictional requirements. If a procedural or jurisdictional requirement is not met, the commission shall dismiss the appeal. If the procedural and jurisdictional requirements have been met, the commission shall conduct proceedings in accordance with IC 4-21.5-3.

(f) An unclassified employee must establish that the commission has subject matter jurisdiction to hear the employee's wrongful discharge claim by establishing that a public policy exception to the employment at will doctrine was the reason for the employee's discharge. The former employee has the burden of proof on this issue.

(g) In a disciplinary case involving a classified employee, the commission shall defer to the appointing authority's choice as to the discipline imposed, if the appointing authority establishes that there was just cause for the imposition of the discipline. The appointing authority has the burden of proof on this issue.

(h) Decisions of the commission are subject to judicial review in accordance with IC 4-21.5-3.

(i) An employee who is suspended or terminated after a hearing held by the state ethics commission is not entitled to use the procedure set forth in this section. An employee who seeks further review of a suspension or termination imposed by the state ethics commission must seek judicial review of the state ethics commission's decision in accordance with IC 4-21.5-3.

As added by P.L.229-2011, SEC.56.