By: Reynolds H.B. No. 3893       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   Relating to the protection of whistleblowers, accountability in   public and private sectors, and penalties for retaliatory actions.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  SHORT TITLE.          This Act may be cited as the "Whistleblower Protection and   Accountability Act of Texas."          SECTION 2.  PURPOSE.          The purpose of this Act is to:                1.  Strengthen protections for whistleblowers who   report fraud, corruption, unlawful activities, or violations of   public trust;                2.  Deter retaliation against whistleblowers through   civil and criminal penalties;                3.  Promote transparency and accountability in   government entities, law enforcement, and private-sector   organizations.          SECTION 3.  DEFINITIONS.          For the purposes of this Act, the following definitions   apply:                1.  Whistleblower - An employee, contractor, or   volunteer who reports misconduct, fraud, corruption, safety   violations, or unlawful activities in good faith.                2.  Retaliation - Any adverse employment action,   including termination, demotion, suspension, harassment,   blacklisting, pay reduction, or other forms of discrimination.                3.  Protected Disclosure - A good faith communication   regarding misconduct reported to a supervisor, compliance officer,   oversight body, law enforcement, or an elected official.          SECTION 4.  SCOPE OF COVERAGE.          This Act applies to:                1.  Public Sector Employees - State, county, municipal,   and law enforcement personnel.                2.  Private Sector Employees - Employees of businesses   and nonprofit organizations operating in Texas.                3.  Contractors and Volunteers - Individuals   performing services for an employer under contract or as unpaid   personnel.          SECTION 5.  PROHIBITED RETALIATION.          (a)  No employer, agency, or organization may engage in   retaliation against a whistleblower.          (b)  Retaliation includes, but is not limited to:                1.  Termination, suspension, or demotion;                2.  Pay reduction or denial of benefits;                3.  Workplace harassment or the creation of a hostile   work environment;                4.  Blacklisting or any act that harms future   employment opportunities.          (c)  Employers violating this provision may be subject to   criminal liability under Texas Penal Code § 39.06 (Misuse of   Official Information) and civil liability under Chapter 554, Texas   Government Code (Whistleblower Protection Act).          SECTION 6.  WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS.          (a)  Confidentiality: Whistleblower identities shall remain   confidential unless disclosure is required by law.          (b)  Remedies for Retaliation:                1.  Reinstatement to the same or equivalent position;                2.  Compensation for lost wages, benefits, and   emotional distress;                3.  Punitive damages and reimbursement of legal fees.          SECTION 7.  MANDATORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.          (a)  All employers in Texas shall establish:                1.  Internal procedures for whistleblower disclosures;                2.  Mandatory notification of employee rights under   this Act;                3.  Supervisor and HR personnel training on handling   whistleblower complaints.          SECTION 8.  TEXAS WHISTLEBLOWER OVERSIGHT COMMISSION   (TWOC).          (a)  The Texas Whistleblower Oversight Commission (TWOC) is   hereby established as an independent body to:                1.  Receive, investigate, and mediate whistleblower   complaints;                2.  Recommend penalties for retaliatory actions;                3.  Require annual reports from organizations   detailing whistleblower disclosures and remedial actions taken.          SECTION 9.  TRANSPARENCY IN PUBLIC ENTITIES.          All Texas government agencies, including constables'   offices, shall:          (a)  Submit quarterly budget reports disclosing funding   allocations for specialized units;          (b)  Include whistleblower reports and resolutions for   public review under the Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552,   Texas Government Code).          SECTION 10.  LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.          (a)  No law enforcement agency, including constables'   precincts, may hire an officer previously dismissed for:                1.  Official misconduct under Texas Penal Code § 39.02   (Abuse of Official Capacity);                2.  Civil rights violations under Texas Penal Code §   39.03 (Official Oppression).          (b)  Agencies must conduct thorough background checks and   periodic personnel reviews of all officers.          SECTION 11.  LEGAL RECOURSE FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS.          (a)  Whistleblowers may file civil lawsuits against   employers within three (3) years of retaliatory actions.          (b)  Lawsuits may include:                1.  Compensation for economic and emotional damages;                2.  Recovery of legal fees and punitive damages;                3.  Injunctive relief restoring employment or   benefits.          SECTION 12.  AMENDMENTS TO TEXAS WHISTLEBLOWER ACT.          (a)  Expansion of Protections:                1.  Extends whistleblower protections to   private-sector employees;                2.  Includes explicit safeguards for reporting   constitutional and civil rights violations;                3.  Aligns Texas laws with federal whistleblower   protections under the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act   (WPEA).          SECTION 13.  PENALTIES FOR RETALIATION.          (a)  Civil Penalties: Employers guilty of retaliation may   face:                1.  Fines up to $500,000 per violation;                2.  Compensatory damages for affected whistleblowers.          (b)  Criminal Penalties:                3.  Any employer obstructing a whistleblower   disclosure may be charged under Texas Penal Code § 36.06   (Obstruction or Retaliation) and face imprisonment.          SECTION 14.  ESTABLISHMENT OF WHISTLEBLOWER SUPPORT FUND.          (a)  A state-funded program shall provide:                1.  Financial assistance for whistleblowers facing   legal proceedings;                2.  Counseling services for whistleblowers and their   families.          SECTION 15.  ENFORCEMENT.          (a)  The Texas Attorney General's Office shall oversee   enforcement of this Act;          (b)  The Texas Whistleblower Oversight Commission (TWOC)   shall monitor compliance and publish an annual report to the Texas   Legislature.          SECTION 16.  EFFECTIVE DATE.          This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2025.          SECTION 17.  SEVERABILITY.          If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the remainder of   the Act shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and   effect.