Oregon law already offers some protection to whistleblowers. Employers can’t fire or retaliate against employees who report what they believe to be violations of the law.

But House Bill 4067 in the Legislature takes that a needed step further. It would provide protection to public and nonprofit employees and board members. The sponsors of the bill include Reps. Knute Buehler, R-Bend, and Gene Whisnant, R-Sunriver.

Specifically, the bill gives whistleblowers more legal protection if they provide the information to certain designated bodies: a state regulatory agency, law enforcement, a member of the Legislature, a manager of the nonprofit or an attorney licensed to practice in Oregon. But if the information is disclosed or redisclosed to someone else, such as the news media, the protection would not apply.

The bill also has requirements to establish policies for whistleblowers.

The Nonprofit Association of Oregon opposes the change because it said it was not needed. Federal protections are already in place. It also said the law puts an additional burden on nonprofits and would be confusing.

There is some truth to those assertions. But this law provides better protection for Oregon whistleblowers. The Nonprofit Association of Oregon could help its members establish whistleblower policies, and this change is no more complicated than other legal changes the Legislature makes every year.

Whistleblowers can put their livelihoods and reputations at risk when they speak up about problems. The additional protections in this bill may encourage more to do so and protect them when they do.

The Legislature should pass this bill.