Texas Whistleblower Protections

The Office of the Attorney General for the State of Texas offers information about whistleblower protections for state and local government employees at http://www.oag.state.tx .  Under Texas Government Code Section 554, a state or local governmental entity may not retaliate against employees who report violations of the law.  In this regard, the Texas Government Code states that a state or local governmental entity may not suspend or terminate the employment of, or take other adverse personnel action against, a public employee who in good faith reports a violation of law by the employing governmental entity or another public employee to an appropriate law enforcement authority.  A reporting public employee subjected to an adverse employment action may be entitled to relief, including injunctive relief, actual damages, court costs and attorney fees, as well as potential reinstatement.  In this regard, the Texas Government Code provides that a public employee whistleblower who seeks relief under this law must sue not later than the 90th day after the date on which the alleged violation: (1) occurred; or, (2) was discovered by the employee through reasonable diligence. 

Additional information may be obtained from the Office of the Texas Attorney General, P. O. Box 12548, Austin, Texas, 1(800)252-8011.