Ann Arbor Times

House Oversight Chair Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Township) and House Oversight Committee member Jason Woolford (R-Howell) have announced plans to introduce new legislation aimed at strengthening protections for whistleblowers in Michigan state government. The proposed bill seeks to address current gaps in the law that, according to the legislators, hinder communication and transparency regarding potential violations within state agencies.

DeBoyer emphasized the role of the House Oversight Committee in holding government accountable. “Our role on the House Oversight Committee is to hold government accountable to the people and investigate potential instances where public dollars are being misused or there has been a violation of the public’s trust,” DeBoyer said. “I can tell you, our committee – and Oversight panels before us – have had numerous people who work for state departments say that they’d love to come and talk about what’s happening and what’s gone wrong, but they can’t do so on the record out of fear for their job or even their well-being. I’ve had people tell me they can’t meet with me at the state Capitol or our House Office Building to talk about some of these things. That’s not right, and it’s unacceptable to hit those types of roadblocks when we are trying to get answers for hardworking taxpayers and the people of our state. That is not how government should work.”

The bill proposes several changes to Michigan’s Whistleblowers’ Protection Act. If enacted, courts could order reinstatement of an employee, payment of triple back wages owed, full reinstatement of fringe benefits and seniority rights, as well as damages or a combination thereof. The penalty for violating whistleblower protections would increase from $500 to $2,000, with any fines directed into Michigan's general fund.

Woolford highlighted concerns over retaliation faced by those wishing to report wrongdoing: “People who want to step up and do the right thing when they feel a wrong thing has occurred should not fear retaliation or feel like they’re risking their career to speak up,” Woolford said. “They deserve real protection. With this bill, we’re sending a resounding message that we will protect whistleblowers that expose waste, fraud and abuse. My duty as an elected official and a member of the House Oversight Committee is to hold our state government accountable and ensure every tax dollar is spent wisely, ethically, and transparently.”

Both legislators pointed out that current laws have not sufficiently encouraged employees to report issues due in part to reductions in whistleblower protections during previous budget cycles.

“This will put it in law,” DeBoyer said. “Not negotiated away at the last minute. Not pushed to another year. People are tired of government acting superior to them and acting as if government is above the law. This will protect individuals who seek to do the right thing and disclose acts of wrongdoing within government when they have occurred.”

The legislative plan is expected be formally introduced soon.