Whistleblower Protection Legislation Moves Forward - Following Investigations Into Troubled COVID Testing Lab

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The "Whistleblower Protection Act" unanimously passed out of the Senate Committee on Judiciary Tuesday, and now moves on to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

It is one of two pieces of legislation that were introduced by State Senator Scott Wilk in response to CBS13's year-long investigation into the state's troubled COVID-19 testing lab.

The investigation gave a voice to brave whistleblowers who risked their careers in the interest of public health and it shined a spotlight on shocking public health failures that it appeared the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) tried to hide.

In response, Wilk introduced two pieces of legislation that transcend COVID and are intended to ensure accountability and transparency long after the pandemic is over.

The first, Constitutional Amendment (SCA 7), would require approval from the legislature before a no-bid state contract of more than $25 million could be renewed.

The Newsom administration quietly renewed PerkinElmer's no-bid contract amid ongoing state and federal investigations of the lab, despite the fact that the lab consistently failed to meet contract requirements including 48-hour testing turnaround times.

The state recently terminated that contract. 

Wilk also introduced the Whistleblower Protection Act. SB 947 would extend whistleblower protections for employees of government contractors like PerkinElmer, which was given a $1.7 billion-dollar no-bid lab contract and then sued one whistleblower who reported wrongdoing and threatened to sue others.

Senate Bill 947 (SB 947) has been endorsed by the National Whistleblower Center and was passed unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee. According to Wilk's office, the bill moves on to the Senate Governmental Organization Committee next week.

(SB947 was originally scheduled to be heard in Senate Appropriations next week. This story was updated to reflect the new committee assignment.)


WATCH THE CBS NEWS SACRAMENTO SPECIAL REPORT
THE COVID LAB: State Secrets Exposed

CONTINUING COVERAGE - THE COVID LAB: A Year-Long Investigation by Julie Watts TV Investigates on YouTube

FOLLOW OUR CONTINUING COVERAGE:

STATE SECRETS: The Whistleblower Investigation 

Asleep At the Lab: Whistleblower Allegations From Inside CA's Billion-Dollar COVID Lab

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Questionable COVID Results – More Concerning Whistleblower Allegations From State COVID Lab

PerkinElmer Sues Whistleblower After Allegations About Troubled CA COVID Testing Lab

Regulators Find 'Significant Deficiencies' At CA COVID Testing Lab – Whistleblowers Respond


STATE SECRETS: The Troubled Test

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Same COVID Test, Different Results: FDA Looking Into State Lab 'Test Result Concerns'

CBS13 Investigates: Should Rapid Test Be Used To Test School Athletes?

Delayed School COVID Results, Canceled Games and Contamination Concerns

Are False Positives or Sensitive Tests Responsible For School COVID Spikes?

CA COVID LAB Returns Fewer Than 1 Out Of 5 Results Within Required 48hrs During Omicron Surge


 STATE SECRETS: Continued Accountability

Continued Accountability: Delayed Investigation Report, Denied Interview Requests

Lawmakers Demand Answers –What's CDPH Hiding At The $1.7B COVID Testing Lab? 

Theranos Trial Reveals Details of Federal Investigation at Troubled CA COVID Lab, No-Bid Contract Renewed

State Inspections Confirm Whistleblower Allegations At Troubled California COVID Lab

Lab Experts Criticize State's Response To Risk Of 'Serious Injury, Harm or Death' At CA COVID Testing Lab

CBS13 COVID Lab Investigation Prompts New Legislation to Protect Whistleblowers & Taxpayers

California Department of Public Health Terminates $1.7B COVID Testing Lab Contract

Whistleblower Protection Legislation Moves Forward - Following Investigations Into Troubled COVID Testing Lab



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