{"id":376691,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:55","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/texas-law\/texas-whistleblower-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-09-21T11:38:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T16:38:19","slug":"texas-whistleblower-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-whistleblower-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Texas Whistleblower Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Texas Whistleblower Laws<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The Texas <\/span>Whistleblower<\/span> Act<\/span> prevents employers from retaliating against public employees<\/span> who report a violation of the law. Employees must follow certain guidelines when reporting violations<\/span>, and employees must \u201creasonably believe\u201d that a law has been violated.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

The Texas <\/span>Whistleblower<\/span> Act<\/span> is codified under Texas state statutes. Under the law, only public employees<\/span> of state agencies, local governments<\/span>, state and local public educational institutions, and related entities are protected when filing whistleblower<\/span> claims<\/span><\/a>. Private employees and independent contractors working in government agencies<\/span> may be protected under other whistleblower<\/span> protection<\/span> laws<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What Is the Texas Whistleblower<\/span> Protection<\/span> Act<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

Whistleblower<\/span> protection<\/span> acts<\/span><\/a> encourage employees to report legal violations in the workplace without fear of retaliation. Federal laws<\/span> sometimes offer financial incentives and protection from retaliation.<\/p>\n

Texas law allows a public employee<\/span> to make good-faith<\/span> reports if they know of any violations of the law made by their employer or another public employee<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The report must be made to an appropriate law enforcement authority<\/span>, state or local governmental entity<\/span>, or agency of the federal government authorized to regulate or enforce the law or investigate or prosecute a violation of criminal law<\/span>. The employee must \u201creasonably believe\u201d a violation has occurred.<\/p>\n

In City of Ft. Worth v. Pridgen<\/em><\/a> (2022), the Texas Supreme Court<\/span> held that a report must contain \u201crelevant additional information\u201d that can help \u201cidentify or investigate illegal conduct.\u201d Opinions, conclusions, or information the agency received or could have received from another source is not sufficient to waive government immunity.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Prohibited Under the Texas Whistleblower<\/span> Protection<\/span> Act<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

Employers may not take any adverse employment action<\/span> against an employee who reports illegal activity<\/span>, including suspension, termination, reassignment, or demotion. Whistleblower<\/span> retaliation<\/span> can also include:<\/p>\n