(a) No savings association may discharge or otherwise discriminate against any employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the employee (or any person acting pursuant to the request of the employee) provided information to the commissioner, the Attorney General, or any district attorney regarding a possible violation of any law or regulation by the savings association or any of its officers, directors, or employees.

(b) Any employee or former employee who believes he or she has been discharged or discriminated against in violation of subdivision (a) may file a civil action in superior court before the close of the 2-year period beginning on the date of that discharge or discrimination. The plaintiff shall also file a copy of the complaint initiating the civil action with the commissioner.

(c) If the court determines that a violation of subdivision (a) has occurred, it may order the association which committed the violation to do any of the following:

(1) Reinstate the employee to his or her former position.

(2) Pay compensatory damages.

(3) Take other appropriate actions to remedy any past discrimination.

(d) The protections of this section shall not apply to any employee who does either of the following:

(1) Deliberately causes or participates in the alleged violation of law or regulation.

(2) Knowingly or recklessly provides substantially false information to the commissioner, the Attorney General, or any district attorney.

(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1118, Sec. 36.)