RCW 42.52.410
Filing complaint—Whistleblower protection—Penalty for reprisal or retaliation.
(1) A person may, personally or by his or her attorney, make, sign, and file with the appropriate ethics board a complaint on a form provided by the appropriate ethics board. The complaint shall state the name of the person alleged to have violated this chapter or rules adopted under it and the particulars thereof, and contain such other information as may be required by the appropriate ethics board.
(2) If it has reason to believe that any person has been engaged or is engaging in a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it, an ethics board may issue a complaint.
(3)(a) A state employee who files a complaint with the appropriate ethics board shall be afforded the protection afforded to a whistleblower under RCW 42.40.050 and 49.60.210(2), subject to the limitations of RCW 42.40.035 and 42.40.910. An agency, manager, or supervisor may not retaliate against a state employee who, after making a reasonable attempt to ascertain the correctness of the information furnished, files a complaint with the appropriate ethics board.
(b) A state employee may not be denied the protections in chapter 42.40 RCW even if the ethics board denies an investigation of the complaint.
(4) If a determination is made that a reprisal or retaliatory action has been taken against the state employee, the retaliator may be subject to a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars.
[ 2013 c 190 § 2; 1994 c 154 § 211.]
NOTES:
Finding—2013 c 190: "The legislature finds that ensuring public trust in government is a priority. The public expects its elected officials and state employees to adhere to the highest ethical standards during their service, and this includes a commitment to full and independent investigations, with proper penalties, in cases where the ethics in public service act is violated." [ 2013 c 190 § 1.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies
Chapter 42.52 - Ethics in Public Service.
42.52.020 - Activities incompatible with public duties.
42.52.030 - Financial interests in transactions.
42.52.040 - Assisting in transactions.
42.52.050 - Confidential information—Improperly concealed records.
42.52.060 - Testimony of state officers and state employees.
42.52.070 - Special privileges and exemptions—Application of section to legislature.
42.52.080 - Employment after public service.
42.52.090 - Limited assistance by former state officers and employees.
42.52.110 - Compensation for official duties or nonperformance.
42.52.120 - Compensation for outside activities.
42.52.150 - Limitations on gifts.
42.52.160 - Use of persons, money, or property for private gain.
42.52.170 - Giving, paying, loaning, etc., any thing of economic value to state employee.
42.52.180 - Use of public resources for political campaigns.
42.52.185 - Restrictions on mailings by legislators.
42.52.310 - Legislative ethics board.
42.52.320 - Authority of legislative ethics board.
42.52.340 - Transfer of jurisdiction.
42.52.350 - Executive ethics board.
42.52.360 - Authority of executive ethics board.
42.52.365 - Executive branch agencies—Ethics advisors—Ethics training.
42.52.370 - Authority of commission on judicial conduct.
42.52.380 - Political activities of board members.
42.52.390 - Hearing and subpoena authority.
42.52.400 - Enforcement of subpoena authority.
42.52.410 - Filing complaint—Whistleblower protection—Penalty for reprisal or retaliation.
42.52.425 - Dismissal of complaint.
42.52.430 - Public hearing—Findings.
42.52.450 - Complaint against legislator or statewide elected official.
42.52.470 - Referral for enforcement.
42.52.490 - Action by attorney general.
42.52.500 - Optional hearings by administrative law judge.
42.52.510 - Rescission of state action.
42.52.520 - Disciplinary action.
42.52.530 - Additional investigative authority.
42.52.540 - Limitations period.
42.52.550 - Compensation of ethics boards.
42.52.575 - Information about scholarship opportunities.
42.52.801 - Exemption—Solicitation to promote tourism.
42.52.8021 - Exemption—Solicitation for Washington state flag account.
42.52.8022 - Exemption—Informational or educational meetings regarding legislative issues.
42.52.8023 - Exemption—Gina Grant Bull memorial legislative page scholarship account.
42.52.8024 - Exemption—Rosa Franklin legislative internship program scholarship.
42.52.803 - Exemption—Solicitation for legislative oral history account.
42.52.804 - Exemption—Health profession board or commission—Professional opinions.
42.52.810 - Solicitation for the legislative international trade account—Report.
42.52.820 - Solicitation for hosting national legislative association conference.
42.52.821 - Exemption—Solicitation to host conference of a national association.
42.52.900 - Legislative declaration.
42.52.901 - Liberal construction.
42.52.903 - Serving on board, committee, or commission not prevented.
42.52.904 - Effective date—1994 c 154.
42.52.906 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.