42.41.010 – Policy.

RCW 42.41.010 Policy. It is the policy of the legislature that local government employees should be encouraged to disclose, to the extent not expressly prohibited by law, improper governmental actions of local government officials and employees. The purpose of this chapter is to protect local government employees who make good-faith reports to appropriate governmental bodies […]

42.41.020 – Definitions.

RCW 42.41.020 Definitions. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter. (1)(a) “Improper governmental action” means any action by a local government officer or employee: (i) That is undertaken in the performance of the officer’s or employee’s official duties, whether or not the action is within the scope […]

42.41.030 – Right to report improper governmental action—Policies and procedures.

RCW 42.41.030 Right to report improper governmental action—Policies and procedures. (1) Every local government employee has the right to report to the appropriate person or persons information concerning an alleged improper governmental action. (2) The governing body or chief administrative officer of each local government shall adopt a policy on the appropriate procedures to follow […]

42.41.040 – Retaliatory action unlawful—Relief by whistleblower—Penalty.

RCW 42.41.040 Retaliatory action unlawful—Relief by whistleblower—Penalty. (1) It is unlawful for any local government official or employee to take retaliatory action against a local government employee because the employee provided information in good faith in accordance with the provisions of this chapter that an improper governmental action occurred. (2) In order to seek relief […]

42.41.045 – Prohibition on intimidation of whistleblower—Nondisclosure of protected information.

RCW 42.41.045 Prohibition on intimidation of whistleblower—Nondisclosure of protected information. (1) A local government official or employee may not use his or her official authority or influence, directly or indirectly, to threaten, intimidate, or coerce an employee for the purpose of interfering with that employee’s right to disclose information concerning an improper governmental action in […]

42.41.050 – Exemptions.

RCW 42.41.050 Exemptions. Any local government that has adopted or adopts a program for reporting alleged improper governmental actions and adjudicating retaliation resulting from such reporting shall be exempt from this chapter if the program meets the intent of this chapter. [ 1992 c 44 § 6.]

42.41.060 – Local government administrative hearings account.

RCW 42.41.060 Local government administrative hearings account. The local government administrative hearings account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from penalties in RCW 42.41.040 and the surcharges under RCW 43.09.2801 shall be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for administrative hearings under this chapter. […]

42.41.900 – Construction.

RCW 42.41.900 Construction. This chapter shall not be construed to permit disclosures that would diminish the rights of any person to the continued protection of confidentiality of communications where statute or common law provides such protection. [ 1992 c 44 § 5.]

42.41.901 – Effective dates—1992 c 44.

RCW 42.41.901 Effective dates—1992 c 44. Sections 1 through 10 of this act shall take effect January 1, 1993. Section 11 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1992. [ 1992 c 44 § 13.]