Whistleblower protection; public policy; criminal punishment; fine; civil cause of action; effective date.

HB 1148 protects whistleblowers who report wrongdoing by state agencies, local governments, public trusts, or private employers with supervisory roles. It makes retaliation - including termination, demotion, or intimidation - a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Whistleblowers who successfully sue for retaliation can recover economic damages, emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorney fees. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.