Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2013/S3267
Timestamp: 2017-02-19 21:27:51
Document Index: 634683785

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1873', '§1005', '§65', '§740', '§75', '§63']

NY State Senate Bill S3267A
senate Bill S3267A 2013-2014 Legislative Session Establishes a nuclear whistleblower access and assistance program to promote public health and safety
print number 3267aamend and recommit to energy and telecommunications
Original A (Active) Original A (Active) S3267 - Details
Add §1873-a, amd §1005, Pub Auth L; amd §65, Pub Serv L; amd §740, Lab L; amd §75-b, Civ Serv L; amd §63, Exec L
2011-2012: S1593A2009-2010: A5200A S3267 - Summary
Directs the NYS energy research and development authority and public and private operators of each nuclear-powered electric generating facility to establish a nuclear whistleblower access and assistance program; makes related provisions as to elements of the program and provides that employees of such plants shall not be subject to retaliation; requires authority to investigate reported safety concerns; provides that whistleblowers shall have standing to litigate and may do so without exhaustion of administration remedies… (view more) authorizes the attorney general to bring actions to enforce the labor law provisions. S3267 - Sponsor Memo
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public authorities law, the public
service  law,  the  labor law, the civil service law and the executive
law, in relation to establishing a nuclear  whistleblower  access  and
PURPOSE:  To establish a program to encourage and protect employees of
nuclear   power  plants  who  communicate  concerns  regarding  safety
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:   This bill would amend  the  energy  law,  the
public  authorities  law,  the  public service law, the labor law, the
civil service law, and the executive law to establish a nuclear  power
plant  whistle-blower  access  and  assistance  program.  The  program
contains a number of provisions including: (1) a  requirement  calling
for the evaluation of whistleblower programs proposed by nuclear power
plant  operators,  including  private  companies  that  are purchasing
reactors in New York  State  (2)  the  establishment  of  a  toll-free
telephone  line  available  to  employees of nuclear power plants that
will offer advice regarding employee rights and  protections  pursuant
to  state  and  federal  laws  and present opportunities for access to
senior  management  for  purposes  of   communicating   safety-related
concerns,  and  (3) a requirement that a preliminary evaluation of any
safety concern identified by an employee be performed.
JUSTIFICATION:  Workers at nuclear plants are commonly referred to  as
the  "eyes and ears" for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
The NRC openly admits that it can only oversee a small portion of  the
industry's safety issues and relies heavily on nuclear plant employees
to identify potential safety problems to management and, if necessary,
to  the  NRC.  This  bill  acknowledges that a key element to the safe
operation  of  nuclear  power  plants  is  a  work  environment   that
encourages  employees  to come forward with any concerns they may have
regarding reactor operational safety. Protection  of  safety-conscious
workers  is  of  paramount  concern,  especially  in light of electric
utility deregulation, the infusion  of  market  competition  into  the
energy marketplace, and changes with the NRC's oversight program.
Employees working at nuclear power plants should not feel pressured or
intimidated  by  their  supervisors in airing concerns. Sadly, we have
witnessed the harassment of employees at NY nuclear power plants  much
too  often.  Given  the  recent troubles at the Indian Point reactors,
there  has  never  been  a  greater  need  for  such  a  program.  The
controversy  that has swarmed about the Indian point reactors has shed
light on the suppression of  safety  conscious  employees  and  worker
health   and  safety  issues.  As  stated  in  a  report  filed  by  a
safety-conscious employee at Con Edison's Indian point 2 (IP-2) plant,
there is a "chilling effect"  which  does  not  encourage  workers  to
report  problems. According to a March 1, 2001 NEW YORK TIMES article,
an engineer working for a contractor at the IP-2 nuclear plant quit in
a dispute over a safety issue - in particular, the reliability of  the
system  that  triggers  automatic shutdowns during equipment. failure.
At the New York Power Authority's Indian point 3 (IP-3) plant, it  was
revealed  that worker health and safety had been compromised to meet a
refueling deadline - over 180 workers were radioactively contaminated.
According to a whistleblower at the plant, the  deadline  was  set  to
impress  a  potential  buyer,  Entergy  Nuclear, Inc. which ultimately
purchased IP-3 and is now in the process of buying IP-1 and IP-2. This
situation may have been avoided if workers felt more comfortable about
New York State needs to better protect workers at nuclear power plants
who  raise  safety  concerns.  According  to Stephen Kohn - one of the
nation's foremost experts on whistleblower law - New  York  State  has
one  of the weakest provisions in the nation with respect to providing
adequate protection to whistleblowers. The inadequacies of New  York's
"Whistleblower   Statute,"   which   was  passed  in  1984,  have  led
commentators to note that whistleblower protection in New York is  all
but non-existent.
For the sake of public and employee health and safety it is crucial to
have a nuclear whistleblower access and assistance program established
S3267 - Bill Text
AN  ACT to amend the public authorities law, the public service law, the
labor law, the civil service law and the executive law, in relation to
establishing a nuclear whistleblower access and assistance program
Section  1.  The legislature finds that safe operation of the publicly
and privately owned nuclear-powered electric generating facilities with-
in the state is a matter of paramount public  concern.  The  legislature
further  finds  that  an essential component of any safety strategy is a
program which assures that employees who have  first-hand  knowledge  of
potential  safety problems can freely communicate their concerns without
fear of retaliation.  Although laws and regulations exist  at  both  the
state and federal level to protect whistleblowers, the legislature finds
that the purpose served by such laws will be furthered if an affirmative
program  exists  which encourages employees to come forward with safety-
related concerns. The legislature finds that the state, as the owner  of
the  power  plants  operated  by the power authority of the state of New
York, has an interest and obligation to ensure that such facilities  are
being managed in a way that provides the highest possible level of safe-
ty.    The  legislature  also  finds  that  the state has an interest in
protecting and an obligation to protect its citizens from  the  possible
hazards  of  privately owned nuclear-powered electric generating facili-
1873-a to read as follows:
S  1873-A.  NUCLEAR  WHISTLEBLOWER  ACCESS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.  1.
"EMPLOYEES AT A  NUCLEAR-POWERED  ELECTRIC  GENERATING  FACILITY"  MEANS
THOSE  PERSONS  EMPLOYED AT PUBLICLY AND PRIVATELY OWNED NUCLEAR-POWERED
LBD01554-01-3
ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:  FULL-TIME
AND  PART-TIME EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, THOSE EMPLOYEES ON PROBATION, AND
2.  THE  AUTHORITY,  AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE UNITED STATES NUCLEAR
REGULATORY COMMISSION, THE CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE  COMMISSION,  AND
THE  COMMISSIONER  OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, SHALL ESTABLISH A NUCLEAR
WHISTLEBLOWER ACCESS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
3. THE NUCLEAR  WHISTLEBLOWER  ACCESS  AND  ASSISTANCE  PROGRAM  SHALL
INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM, THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS:
(A) THE AUTHORITY SHALL EVALUATE AND COMMENT ON WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAMS
PROPOSED  BY OPERATORS OF NUCLEAR-POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE  THOUSAND  FIVE  OF  THIS  CHAPTER  AND  SECTION
SIXTY-FIVE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW;
(B)  THE  AUTHORITY  SHALL ESTABLISH TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE AND FACSIMILE
LINES AVAILABLE TO CONTRACTORS,  ADVOCATES  SHIELDING  THE  IDENTITY  OF
INSIDE  WHISTLEBLOWERS,  AND  ALL PERSONS WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK'S
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF ISSUES THAT AFFECT PUBLIC  HEALTH
AND SAFETY. THE AUTHORITY SHALL OFFER:
(I)  ADVICE REGARDING THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHTS UNDER APPLICABLE STATE AND
FEDERAL LAWS AND ADVICE AND OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO ALL PERSONS;
(II) AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CONTRACTORS, ADVOCATES SHIELDING THE  IDENTITY
OF INSIDE WHISTLEBLOWERS, AND ALL PERSONS WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK'S
NUCLEAR  INDUSTRY  TO  IDENTIFY CONCERNS REGARDING ANY SAFETY ISSUE AT A
NUCLEAR-POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITY, INCLUDING BUT NOT  LIMITED
TO  ANY VIOLATIONS OR POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS OF REGULATIONS OF THE NUCLEAR
(III) THE OPTION OF CONTACTING A NEUTRAL CONSULTANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF
SEEKING UNBIASED, NON-GOVERNMENTAL INFORMATION TO  HELP  RESOLVE  SAFETY
(C)  ANY COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN AN EMPLOYEE AND THE AUTHORITY PURSUANT
TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE HELD STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL  BY  THE  AUTHORITY,
UNLESS  THE  EMPLOYEE SPECIFICALLY WAIVES IN WRITING THE RIGHT TO CONFI-
DENTIALITY (THE PERSON ALLEGING A SAFETY VIOLATION IS  NOT  REQUIRED  TO
IDENTIFY HIMSELF/HERSELF) TO ANY ENTITY, INCLUDING THE NUCLEAR REGULATO-
RY COMMISSION;
(D) THE AUTHORITY SHALL PERFORM A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF ANY SAFETY
CONCERN  IDENTIFIED  BY  A  CALLER WITHIN SEVENTY-TWO HOURS AND GIVE THE
CALLER EVALUATION RIGHTS IF HE OR SHE SO DESIRES AND  CONDUCT  FOLLOW-UP
REPORTS  EVERY TWO WEEKS THEREAFTER FOR AN APPROPRIATE LENGTH OF TIME TO
BE DETERMINED BY THE AUTHORITY;
(E) REGARDING ANY CONCERN FOR WHICH  THE  AUTHORITY  LACKS  SUFFICIENT
EXPERTISE  TO  REACH A CONCLUSION OR WHICH, IN THE AUTHORITY'S JUDGMENT,
REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC HEALTH OR SAFETY CONCERN, THE  AUTHORITY
SHALL  CONTACT  THE  UNITED  STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, SHALL
COMMUNICATE SUCH CONCERN, AND SHALL  MAINTAIN  COMMUNICATIONS  WITH  THE
COMMISSION  AND  THE  CALLER,  WHENEVER POSSIBLE, REGARDING ANY INVESTI-
GATION OF SUCH CONCERN; AND
(F) THE AUTHORITY SHALL CONSULT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF  LAW  REGARDING
ANY  EMPLOYEE  AT A NUCLEAR-POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITY WHO MAY
HAVE RECOURSE TO AN ACTION PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVEN  HUNDRED  FORTY  OF
THE LABOR LAW OR SECTION SEVENTY-FIVE-B OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
4.  WHETHER OR NOT THE AUTHORITY PROCEEDS, THE WHISTLEBLOWER, IF IDEN-
TIFIED OR THE ADVOCATE WHO IS SHIELDING THE IDENTITY OF AN INSIDE WHIST-
LEBLOWER, SHALL HAVE STANDING TO LITIGATE AND SHALL BE ENTITLED TO EXPE-
DITED PROCEEDINGS IN THE COURTS OF THIS STATE WITHOUT REGARD  TO  HAVING
EXHAUSTED ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES.
S. 3267                             3
S  3. Section 1005 of the public authorities  law is amended by adding
a new subdivision 24 to read as follows:
24.  AT  EACH  NUCLEAR-POWERED  ELECTRIC  GENERATING FACILITY OWNED OR
OPERATED BY THE AUTHORITY, THE AUTHORITY SHALL ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT A
WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAM. WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE  OF  THIS
SUBDIVISION,  THE  AUTHORITY  SHALL  SUBMIT TO THE NEW YORK STATE ENERGY
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY A PROPOSED  PLAN  FOR  A  PROGRAM  TO
IMPLEMENT THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBDIVISION.  SUCH PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE,
(A) OPPORTUNITY FOR ACCESS TO SENIOR MANAGEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF COMMU-
NICATING SAFETY CONCERNS THAT AFFECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY;
(B)  EDUCATION  REGARDING  EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS PURSUANT TO
APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS AND  REGULATIONS,  INCLUDING,  TO  THE
EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, DISPLAY AT PROMI-
NENT  LOCATIONS  WITHIN  THE  FACILITY OF THE TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER
WHICH PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT AUTHORITY'S NUCLEAR WHISTLEBLOWER  ACCESS  AND  ASSISTANCE  PROGRAM
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION EIGHTEEN HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE-A OF THIS
S  4.  Section 65 of the public service law is amended by adding a new
14. AT EACH NUCLEAR-POWERED  ELECTRIC  GENERATING  FACILITY  OWNED  OR
OPERATED BY AN ELECTRIC CORPORATION, THE CORPORATION SHALL ESTABLISH AND
IMPLEMENT  A  WHISTLEBLOWER  PROGRAM. WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE EFFECTIVE
DATE OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE CORPORATION SHALL SUBMIT TO THE  NEW  YORK
STATE  ENERGY  RESEARCH  AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY A PROPOSED PLAN FOR A
PROGRAM TO IMPLEMENT THE PURPOSES  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION.  SUCH  PROGRAM
NICATING SAFETY CONCERNS;
MENT AUTHORITY'S NUCLEAR WHISTLEBLOWER ACCESS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
S 5. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 740 of the  labor  law,
ty, or which constitutes health care  fraud,  OR,  IN  THE  CASE  OF  AN
EMPLOYEE AT A NUCLEAR-POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITY, DISCLOSES OR
THREATENS TO DISCLOSE ANY PUBLIC HEALTH OR SAFETY CONCERN, REGARDLESS OF
WHETHER  OR  NOT  SUCH CONCERN RELATES TO A VIOLATION OF A LAW, RULE, OR
S 6. Subdivision 3 of section 740 of  the  labor  law  is  amended  by
THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY DISCLOSURE MADE BY AN EMPLOYEE
AT  A  NUCLEAR-POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITY, AS DEFINED PURSUANT
TO SECTION EIGHTEEN HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE-A OF  THE  PUBLIC  AUTHORITIES
LAW,  WHO BELIEVES IN GOOD-FAITH THAT A DISCLOSURE TO A SUPERVISOR WOULD
BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE FEDERAL OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE LAWS CODIFIED AT
18 U.S.C. 1512 OR THE ATOMIC ENERGY ACT/ENERGY REORGANIZATION ACT.
S. 3267                             4
S 7. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 1  of  section  75-b  of  the  civil
service  law, as added by chapter 660 of the laws of 1984, is amended to
(c)  "Governmental  body" shall mean (i) an officer, employee, agency,
department, division, bureau, board, commission, council,  authority  or
other  body  of  a public employer, (ii) employee, committee, member, or
commission of the legislative branch of government,  (iii)  a  represen-
tative,  member  or  employee  of  a legislative body of a county, town,
village or any other political subdivision  or  civil  division  of  the
state,  (iv) a law enforcement agency or any member or employee of a law
enforcement agency, [or] (v) the judiciary or any employee of the  judi-
ciary, (VI) EMPLOYEES AT A NUCLEAR-POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITY,
OR (VII) THE UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION.
S  8.  Paragraph  (a)  of  subdivision  2 of section 75-b of the civil
service law, as amended by chapter 899 of the laws of 1986,  is  amended
(a)  A public employer shall not dismiss or take other disciplinary or
other adverse personnel action against a public employee  regarding  the
employee's  employment  because the employee discloses to a governmental
body information: (i) regarding a violation of a law, rule or regulation
which violation creates and presents a substantial and  specific  danger
to  the public health or safety; [or] (ii) which the employee reasonably
believes to be true and  reasonably  believes  constitutes  an  improper
governmental action; OR (III) FOR AN EMPLOYEE AT A NUCLEAR-POWERED ELEC-
TRIC  GENERATING  FACILITY,  AS  DEFINED  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION EIGHTEEN
HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE-A OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW, WHICH RELATES  TO
A  PUBLIC  HEALTH  OR  SAFETY CONCERN, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT SUCH
CONCERN RELATES TO A VIOLATION OF LAW, RULE,  OR  REGULATION.  "Improper
governmental  action"  shall  mean  any  action  by a public employer or
employee, or an agent of such employer or employee, which is  undertaken
in  the performance of such agent's official duties, whether or not such
action is within the scope of his employment, and which is in  violation
of any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation.
S  9.  Paragraph  (b)  of  subdivision  2 of section 75-b of the civil
service law, as added by chapter 660 of the laws of 1984, is amended  to
(b)  Prior to disclosing information pursuant to paragraph (a) of this
subdivision, an employee shall have made a good faith effort to  provide
the  appointing  authority  or his or her designee the information to be
disclosed and shall provide  the  appointing  authority  or  designee  a
reasonable  time to take appropriate action unless there is imminent and
serious danger to public health or safety.  For  the  purposes  of  this
subdivision,  an  employee  who acts pursuant to this paragraph shall be
deemed to have disclosed information to a governmental body under  para-
graph  (a)  of  this  subdivision. THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY
DISCLOSURE MADE BY AN EMPLOYEE AT A NUCLEAR-POWERED ELECTRIC  GENERATING
FACILITY,    AS   DEFINED   PURSUANT   TO   SECTION   EIGHTEEN   HUNDRED
SEVENTY-THREE-A OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW.
S 10. Section 63 of the executive law  is  amended  by  adding  a  new
16.  BRING,  UPON  THE  RECOMMENDATION  OF  THE  NEW YORK STATE ENERGY
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, ACTIONS PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  SEVEN
HUNDRED  FORTY  OF THE LABOR LAW AND SECTION SEVENTY-FIVE-B OF THE CIVIL
SERVICE LAW ON BEHALF OF EMPLOYEES AT NUCLEAR-POWERED ELECTRIC  GENERAT-
ING  FACILITIES,  AS DEFINED PURSUANT TO SECTION EIGHTEEN HUNDRED SEVEN-
TY-THREE-A OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW.
S. 3267                             5
S3267A (ACTIVE) - Details
2011-2012: S1593A2009-2010: A5200A S3267A (ACTIVE) - Summary
Directs the NYS energy research and development authority and public and private operators of each nuclear-powered electric generating facility to establish a nuclear whistleblower access and assistance program; makes related provisions as to elements of the program and provides that employees of such plants shall not be subject to retaliation; requires authority to investigate reported safety concerns; provides that whistleblowers shall have standing to litigate and may do so without exhaustion of administration remedies… (view more) authorizes the attorney general to bring actions to enforce the labor law provisions. S3267A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:S3267A
service law, the labor law, the civil service law and the executive law,
in relation to establishing a nuclear whistleblower access and assist-
To establish a program to encourage and protect employees of nuclear
power, plants who communicate concerns regarding safety problems
This bill would amend the energy law, the public authorities law, the
public service law, the labor law, the civil service law, and the execu-
tive law to establish a nuclear power plant whistle-blower access and
assistance program. The program contains a number of provisions includ-
ing: (1) a requirement calling for the evaluation of whistleblower
programs proposed by nuclear power plant operators, including private
companies that are purchasing reactors in New York State (2) the estab-
lishment of a toll-free telephone line available to employees of nuclear
power plants that will offer advice regarding employee rights and
protections pursuant to state and federal laws and present opportunities
for access to senior management for purposes of communicating safety-re-
lated concerns, and (3) a requirement that a preliminary evaluation of
any safety concern identified by an employee be performed.
Workers at nuclear plants are commonly referred to as the "eyes and
ears" for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).  The NRC openly
admits that it can only oversee a small portion of the industry's safety
issues and relies heavily on nuclear plant employees to identify poten-
tial safety problems to management and, if necessary, to the NRC. This
bill acknowledges that a key element to the safe operation of nuclear
power plants is a work environment that encourages employees to come
forward with any concerns they may have regarding reactor operational
safety. Protection of safety-conscious workers is of paramount concern,
especially in light of electric utility deregulation, the infusion of
market competition into the energy marketplace, and changes with the
NRC's oversight program.
intimidated by their supervisors in airing concerns. Sadly, we have
witnessed the harassment of employees at NY nuclear power plants much
too often. Given the recent troubles at the Indian Point reactors, there
has never been a greater need for such a program. The controversy that
has swarmed about the Indian point reactors has shed light on the
suppression of safety conscious employees and worker health and safety
issues. As stated in a report filed by a safety-conscious employee at
Con Edison's Indian point 2 (IP-2) plant, there is a "chilling effect"
which does not encourage workers to report problems.  According to a
March 1, 2001 NEW YORK TIMES article, an engineer working for a contrac-
tor at the IP-2 nuclear plant quit in a dispute over a safety issue - in
particular, the reliability of the system that triggers automatic shut-
downs during equipment. failure. At the New York Power Authority's Indi-
an point 3 (IP-3) plant, it was revealed that worker health and safety
had been compromised to meet a refueling deadline - over 180 workers
were radioactively contaminated. According to a whistleblower at the
plant, the deadline was set to impress a potential buyer, Energy Nucle-
ar, Inc. which ultimately purchased IP-3 and is now in the process of
buying IP-1 and IP-2. This situation may have been avoided if workers
felt more comfortable about raising concerns.
who raise safety concerns. According to Stephen. Kohn - one of the
nation's foremost experts on whistleblower law - New York State has one
of the weakest provisions in the nation with respect to providing
adequate protection to whistleblowers. The inadequacies of New York's
"Whistleblower Statute," which was passed in 1964, have led commentators
to note that whistleblower protection in New York is all but non-exis-
S3267A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text
3267--A
LBD01554-02-4
S. 3267--A                          2
2. THE AUTHORITY, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE  UNITED  STATES  NUCLEAR
REGULATORY  COMMISSION,  THE CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, AND
THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, SHALL ESTABLISH  A  NUCLEAR
3.  THE  NUCLEAR  WHISTLEBLOWER  ACCESS  AND  ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SHALL
PROPOSED BY OPERATORS OF NUCLEAR-POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATING  FACILITIES
PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  ONE  THOUSAND  FIVE  OF  THIS CHAPTER AND SECTION
(B) THE AUTHORITY SHALL ESTABLISH TOLL-FREE  TELEPHONE  AND  FACSIMILE
LINES  AVAILABLE  TO  CONTRACTORS,  ADVOCATES  SHIELDING THE IDENTITY OF
INSIDE WHISTLEBLOWERS, AND ALL PERSONS WITHIN THE STATE  OF  NEW  YORK'S
NUCLEAR  INDUSTRY WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF ISSUES THAT AFFECT PUBLIC HEALTH
(I) ADVICE REGARDING THE EMPLOYEE'S RIGHTS UNDER APPLICABLE STATE  AND
(II)  AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CONTRACTORS, ADVOCATES SHIELDING THE IDENTITY
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY TO IDENTIFY CONCERNS REGARDING ANY SAFETY  ISSUE  AT  A
NUCLEAR-POWERED  ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO ANY VIOLATIONS OR POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS OF REGULATIONS OF THE  NUCLEAR
SEEKING  UNBIASED,  NON-GOVERNMENTAL  INFORMATION TO HELP RESOLVE SAFETY
(C) ANY COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN AN EMPLOYEE AND THE AUTHORITY  PURSUANT
TO  THIS  SECTION  SHALL BE HELD STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL BY THE AUTHORITY,
UNLESS THE EMPLOYEE SPECIFICALLY WAIVES IN WRITING THE RIGHT  TO  CONFI-
DENTIALITY  (THE  PERSON  ALLEGING A SAFETY VIOLATION IS NOT REQUIRED TO
CONCERN IDENTIFIED BY A CALLER WITHIN SEVENTY-TWO  HOURS  AND  GIVE  THE
CALLER  EVALUATION  RIGHTS IF HE OR SHE SO DESIRES AND CONDUCT FOLLOW-UP
REPORTS EVERY TWO WEEKS THEREAFTER FOR AN APPROPRIATE LENGTH OF TIME  TO
(E)  REGARDING  ANY  CONCERN  FOR WHICH THE AUTHORITY LACKS SUFFICIENT
EXPERTISE TO REACH A CONCLUSION OR WHICH, IN THE  AUTHORITY'S  JUDGMENT,
REPRESENTS  A SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC HEALTH OR SAFETY CONCERN, THE AUTHORITY
SHALL CONTACT THE UNITED STATES  NUCLEAR  REGULATORY  COMMISSION,  SHALL
COMMUNICATE  SUCH  CONCERN,  AND  SHALL MAINTAIN COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE
COMMISSION AND THE CALLER, WHENEVER  POSSIBLE,  REGARDING  ANY  INVESTI-
(F)  THE  AUTHORITY SHALL CONSULT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW REGARDING
ANY EMPLOYEE AT A NUCLEAR-POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITY  WHO  MAY
HAVE  RECOURSE  TO  AN ACTION PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY OF
4. WHETHER OR NOT THE AUTHORITY PROCEEDS, THE WHISTLEBLOWER, IF  IDEN-
S. 3267--A                          3
DITED  PROCEEDINGS  IN THE COURTS OF THIS STATE WITHOUT REGARD TO HAVING
a new subdivision 25 to read as follows:
25. AT EACH NUCLEAR-POWERED  ELECTRIC  GENERATING  FACILITY  OWNED  OR
WHISTLEBLOWER  PROGRAM.  WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
SUBDIVISION, THE AUTHORITY SHALL SUBMIT TO THE  NEW  YORK  STATE  ENERGY
RESEARCH  AND  DEVELOPMENT  AUTHORITY  A  PROPOSED PLAN FOR A PROGRAM TO
(B) EDUCATION REGARDING EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND  PROTECTIONS  PURSUANT  TO
APPLICABLE  STATE  AND  FEDERAL  LAWS AND REGULATIONS, INCLUDING, TO THE
NENT LOCATIONS WITHIN THE FACILITY OF  THE  TOLL-FREE  TELEPHONE  NUMBER
MENT  AUTHORITY'S  NUCLEAR  WHISTLEBLOWER  ACCESS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
S 4. Section 65 of the public service law is amended by adding  a  new
16.  AT  EACH  NUCLEAR-POWERED  ELECTRIC  GENERATING FACILITY OWNED OR
IMPLEMENT A WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAM. WITHIN SIX MONTHS  OF  THE  EFFECTIVE
DATE  OF  THIS SUBDIVISION, THE CORPORATION SHALL SUBMIT TO THE NEW YORK
STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY A PROPOSED  PLAN  FOR  A
PROGRAM  TO  IMPLEMENT  THE  PURPOSES  OF THIS SUBDIVISION. SUCH PROGRAM
S  5.  Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 740 of the labor law,
as amended by chapter 442 of the laws of 2006, is  amended  to  read  as
body  an  activity,  policy  or  practice  of  the  employer  that is in
violation of  law,  rule  or  regulation  which  violation  creates  and
ty,  or  which  constitutes  health  care  fraud,  OR, IN THE CASE OF AN
WHETHER OR NOT SUCH CONCERN RELATES TO A VIOLATION OF A  LAW,  RULE,  OR
S  6.  Subdivision  3  of  section  740 of the labor law is amended by
AT A NUCLEAR-POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITY, AS  DEFINED  PURSUANT
TO  SECTION  EIGHTEEN  HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE-A OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES
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LAW, WHO BELIEVES IN GOOD-FAITH THAT A DISCLOSURE TO A SUPERVISOR  WOULD
S  7.  Paragraph  (c)  of  subdivision  1 of section 75-b of the civil
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