BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Whistleblower lawsuits against Idaho would be limited to $370,000 in non-economic damages under legislation that headed to the Senate on Monday.
The House voted 56-9 to approve the measure that has no limit for economic damages.
Economic damages include such things as loss of income and legal fees. Non-economic damages include such things as pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
The measure follows a whistleblower lawsuit the Idaho State Police settled in 2019 for $1.29 million. In that case, a whistleblower claimed ISP retaliated against him because he testified against another officer in a court hearing.
Republican Rep. Greg Chaney, a sponsor of the bill, said the legislation tries to find a balance setting limits on non-economic damages to protect taxpayers while also considering the equally serious responsibility the state has to protect whistleblowers.
Whistleblowers can save the state money.
Idaho settled a separate whistleblower lawsuit out of court in 2019 for $545,000. In that case, a former Idaho Department of Labor purchasing agent said the department retaliated against him and fired him for his efforts to stop employees from skirting purchasing rules.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.