2998

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 850

CHAPTER 850

(House Bill 616)

AN ACT concerning

Classified Employees - Disclosure and Confidentiality

Protection

FOR the purpose of prohibiting certain reprisals for certain
disclosures made by a classified employee or an
applicant for classified employment; establishing
procedures for the filing and handling of certain
complaints arising from such reprisals; directing the
Secretary of Personnel to take certain remedial
measures under certain circumstances; providing for a
hearing under certain circumstances; permitting certain
relief; providing for judicial review; protecting the
confidentiality of certain information;. directing the
Attorney General to receive certain confidential
information and take certain actions regarding that
information; directing the Secretary to make certain
reports; providing limited criminal and civil immunity
to an employee who makes a disclosure to the Attorney
General; and providing that nothing in this Act shall
abridge any action for defamation or invasion of
privacy.

BY adding to

Article 64A - Merit System

Section 12F through 12J 12K, inclusive, to be under the

new subtitle "Employee Disclosure and

Confidentiality Protection"
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1972 Replacement Volume and 1979 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article 76A - Public Information

Section 5(e)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1975 Replacement Volume and 1979 Supplement)

Preamble

The General Assembly finds that the interests of the
citizens of Maryland demand a government which operates in
accordance with the law and in avoidance of mismanagement,
monetary waste, abuse of authority, and danger to public
health and safety. In furtherance of these goals, it is
essential that classified State employees be free to
disclose impropriety in exercise of their constitutional
right of free speech.