§ 21-1-601. Title

This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Arkansas Whistle-Blower Act”.

§ 21-1-602. Definitions

As used in this subchapter: (1) “Adverse action” means to discharge, threaten, or otherwise discriminate or retaliate against a public employee in any manner that affects the employee’s employment, including compensation, job location, rights, immunities, promotions, or privileges; (2) (A) “Appropriate authority” means: (i) A state, county, or municipal government department, agency, or organization having […]

§ 21-1-603. Public employer conduct prohibited — Good faith communication

(a) (1) A public employer shall not take adverse action against a public employee because the public employee or a person authorized to act on behalf of the public employee communicates in good faith to an appropriate authority: (A) The existence of waste of public funds, property, or manpower, including federal funds, property, or manpower […]

§ 21-1-604. Civil liability — Definition

(a) A public employee who alleges a violation of this subchapter may bring a civil action for appropriate injunctive relief or actual damages, or both, within one hundred eighty (180) calendar days after the occurrence of the alleged violation of this subchapter. (b) An action commenced under this section may be brought in the circuit […]

§ 21-1-605. Remedies

(a) A court in rendering judgment under this subchapter may order any or all of the following remedies: (1) An injunction to restrain continued violation of the provisions of this subchapter; (2) The reinstatement of the public employee to the same position held before the adverse action or to an equivalent position; (3) The reinstatement […]

§ 21-1-606. Attorney’s fees

(a) A court may order that reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs be awarded to an employer if the court determines that an action brought by a public employee under this subchapter is without basis in law or fact. (b) A public employee shall not be assessed attorney’s fees under this section if, after exercising […]

§ 21-1-607. Protection of confidentiality

(a) This subchapter shall not be construed to permit a disclosure which would diminish or impair the rights of any person or any public official to the continued protection of confidentiality of records or working papers where a statute or the common law provides for protection. (b) (1) All materials and documentation, including without limitation […]

§ 21-1-608. Notification of rights

(a) A public employer shall use appropriate means to notify its public employees of their protection and obligations under this subchapter. (b) (1) A public employer shall post in a conspicuous place a printed sign at least eight and one-half inches by eleven inches (8½” x 11″) in size that: (A) Informs a public employee […]

§ 21-1-610. Reward to state employee when communication of waste or violation results in savings of state funds — Definitions

(a) As used in this section: (1) “State employee” means a person who performs a full-time or part-time service for wages, salary, or other remuneration for a state employer; and (2) “State employer” means: (A) An agency, department, board, commission, division, office, bureau, council, authority, or other instrumentality of the State of Arkansas, including without […]