1. If any alleged violation of NRS 281.631 occurs or any alleged reprisal or retaliatory action is taken against a state officer or employee who discloses information concerning improper governmental action within 2 years after the information is disclosed, the state officer or employee may file a written appeal with a hearing officer of the Personnel Commission for a determination of whether a violation of NRS 281.631 occurred or the action taken was a reprisal or retaliatory action, as applicable. The written appeal must be accompanied by a statement that sets forth with particularity, as applicable:

(a) The facts and circumstances relating to the alleged violation of NRS 281.631; or

(b) The facts and circumstances under which the disclosure of improper governmental action was made and the reprisal or retaliatory action that is alleged to have been taken against the state officer or employee.

The hearing must be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in NRS 284.390 to 284.405, inclusive, and the procedures adopted by the Personnel Commission pursuant to subsection 5.

2. If the hearing officer determines that a violation of NRS 281.631 occurred or the action taken was a reprisal or retaliatory action, the hearing officer may issue an order directing:

(a) The proper person to desist and refrain from engaging in such a violation or action; or

(b) The termination of the employment of the proper person.

3. The hearing officer shall file a copy of the decision with the Governor or any other elected state officer who is responsible for the actions of that person.

4. The hearing officer may not rule against the state officer or employee based on the person or persons to whom the improper governmental action was disclosed.

5. The Personnel Commission may adopt rules of procedure for conducting a hearing pursuant to this section that are not inconsistent with the procedures set forth in NRS 284.390 to 284.405, inclusive.

6. As used in this section, “Personnel Commission” means the Personnel Commission created by NRS 284.030.

(Added to NRS by 1991, 1993; A 1995, 347; 2001, 3050; 2011, 2952; 2019, 810)