The Florida Senate

487.2071  Penalties against violators; worker relief; monitoring complaints of retaliation.--

(1)  Penalties set forth in this part shall be applied to any person who violates this part. A person who violates this part is subject to federal penalties as provided in the United States Environmental Protection Agency Worker Protection Standard, 40 C.F.R. s. 170.9(b).

(2)  A worker who has been subject to retaliatory action and seeks relief under this section may file a complaint with the department.

(3)  In any action brought pursuant to this section that involves retaliatory action, if the retaliatory action is predicated on the disclosure by a worker of an illegal action, policy, or practice of any person covered by this part to an appropriate governmental agency, the worker may not be required to show that the disclosure was under oath or in writing or that the worker notified the employer in writing of the illegal action, policy, or practice.

(4)  The department shall monitor all complaints of retaliation that it receives and report its findings to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on or before October 1, 2008. The report shall include the number of such complaints received, the circumstances surrounding the complaints, and the actions taken concerning the complaints.

History.--s. 53, ch. 2004-64.