Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) announced today that legislation she introduced to protect school whistleblowers has been signed by the Governor and is now law. With this new law, school employees who report information regarding illegal or inappropriate financial practices will not face disciplinary action or termination from their employer and will have immunity from civil liability (Ch. 118 of 2006). The bill passed unanimously in both the Senate and Assembly and was signed by the Governor in July.

“Establishing these protections for those employees or school district officers who report violations is important to school district financial accountability. This law ensures that whistleblowers have the necessary protections when they step forward to expose illegal or inappropriate fiscal practices,” stated Lupardo. “Those found guilty of stealing from taxpayers and our children’s education must face severe consequences. The whistleblower protection law will help encourage school employees to report any reasonable suspicion that our children’s education is being compromised or our taxpayer dollars are being squandered.”