State Whistleblower Laws and Cases
Whistleblowers who come forward with information of fraud or corruption may be protected and eligible for awards under their state’s whistleblower laws. To become eligible for an award, they must file a qui tam lawsuit against an individual or company involved in the fraud.
Keep in mind however, not every state or city has whistleblower protection laws. And some cities and municipalities, such as New York City, have even gone as far as to enact their own labor laws in addition to state laws, which protect City employees from retaliation.
Depending on the type of fraudulent activity, whistleblowers are awarded a percentage of the money collected from a settlement, which often reaches millions of dollars. Those who wish to report misconduct, corruption, criminal activity, conflicts of interest, and abuse of authority should check with their state below to learn more.
| STATE | FALSE CLAIMS ACT? | WHISTLEBLOWER PROVISION? | PUBLIC POLICY EXCEPTION? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | N/A | No |
| Alaska | Yes (healthcare only) | No | Yes |
| Arizona | No | N/A | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes (healthcare only) | No | Yes |
| California | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes (general and healthcare) | Yes (both laws) | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes (healthcare only) | Yes | Yes |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Florida | Yes | Yes | No |
| Georgia | Yes (general and healthcare) | Yes (both laws) | No |
| Guam | Yes | Yes | Yes (limited) |
| Hawaii | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Idaho | No | N/A | Yes |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes (general and healthcare) | Yes (both laws) | Yes |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas | Yes (general and healthcare) | Yes (both laws) | Yes |
| Kentucky | Yes (statute, healthcare only) | Yes | Yes |
| Louisiana | Yes (healthcare only) | Yes | No |
| Maine | Yes | Yes | No |
| Maryland | Yes (general and healthcare) | Yes (both laws) | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minnesota | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mississippi | No | N/A | Yes (limited) |
| Missouri | Yes | No | Yes |
| Montana | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nebraska | Yes (healthcare only) | Yes | Yes |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes (healthcare only) | Yes | Yes |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New Mexico | Yes (general and healthcare) | Yes (both laws) | Yes |
| New York | Yes | Yes | No |
| North Carolina | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| North Dakota | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ohio | Yes (healthcare only) | Yes | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Yes (healthcare only) | Yes | Yes |
| Oregon | Yes (general and healthcare statute) | Yes (both laws) | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | No (statute, healthcare only) | Yes | Yes |
| Puerto Rico | Yes | Yes | N/A (Not at-will) |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| South Carolina | No (statute, healthcare only) | N/A | Yes |
| South Dakota | No (statute, healthcare only) | N/A | Yes |
| Tennessee | Yes (general and healthcare) | Yes | Yes |
| Texas | Yes (healthcare only) | Yes | Yes |
| Utah | Yes | No | Yes |
| Vermont | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virgin Islands (U.S.) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Washington | Yes (healthcare only) | Yes | Yes |
| West Virginia | No (stature, healthcare only) | N/A | Yes |
| Wisconsin | No (statute, healthcare only) | N/A | Yes |
| Wyoming | Yes (healthcare only) | Yes | Yes (limited – only ever in workers’ compensation cases) |
