Ch. 232

LAWS OF MARYLAND

(3) A prevailing complainant may be awarded back pay,
seniority, leave, promotion, reasonable attorney's fees,
litigation costs, or other appropriate relief.

(c)  A complainant or appointing authority may secure review
of a decision under this section in the circuit court for the
jurisdiction in which the violation allegedly occurred. The
court in hearing this case shall be governed by the judicial
review standards of the Administrative Procedure Act, §§ 10-215
and 10-216 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code.
In addition to other relief, the court may award a prevailing
complainant reasonable attorney's fees and costs of litigation.

(d)  In any hearing held pursuant to this section,
confidentiality shall be maintained regarding any record or
information the privacy or confidentiality of which is protected
pursuant to Title 10, Subtitle 6 of the State Government Article.
If any record so protected is deemed essential to the conduct of
a hearing, names and other identifying information shall be
deleted as necessary to maintain confidentiality.

12J.

The Attorney General shall:

(1)  Designate an assistant to receive from employees
any disclosure of information the privacy or confidentiality of
which is protected pursuant to Article 76A - Public Information;

(2)  Investigate any allegation of illegality or
impropriety made by an employee pursuant to a disclosure of
information the privacy or confidentiality of which is protected
pursuant to Article 76A - Public Information;

(3)  Take appropriate legal action based on the
information disclosed; and

(4)  Following an investigation, submit a confidential
report to the Governor describing the content of each disclosure
received pursuant to this section.

12K.

The Secretary shall:

(1) CARRY OUT AN ANNUAL EMPLOYEE EDUCATION PROGRAM
TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES OF THE AVAILABILITY OF
PROTECTIONS AND REMEDIES UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; AND

(1) PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION TO ALL EMPLOYEES OF
THE PROTECTIONS AND REMEDIES UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; AND

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