§ 8-1. Definitions.
(a) In general.
In this subtitle, the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) Abuse of authority.
"Abuse of authority" means the arbitrary or capricious exercise of power by a City official or employee that adversely affects the rights of any person or that results in personal gain or advantage to the City official or employee or to preferred other individuals.
(c) Affiliated entity.
"Affiliated entity" refers to the following entities:
(1) Baltimore City Parking Authority;
(2) Baltimore Development Corporation; and
(3) South Baltimore Gateway Community Impact District Management Authority.
(d) Agency.
"Agency" means any department, board, commission, council, authority, committee, office, or other unit of City government or of any affiliated entity.
(e) Covered disclosure.
(1) In general.
"Covered disclosure" means a disclosure:
(i) made by an employee;
(ii) concerning actions arising within the Baltimore City government;
(iii) initially made to a personnel officer or to the Inspector General; and
(iv) that the employee reasonably believes to be evidence of:
(A) fraud;
(B) gross misuse or waste of public resources;
(C) abuse of authority;
(D) violation of law; or
(E) a substantial and specific threat to health, safety, or security.
(2) Inclusions.
"Covered disclosure" includes a disclosure made during participation in an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General.
(3) Exclusions.
"Covered disclosure" does not include a disclosure that is prohibited by law.
(f) Employee.
"Employee" means an employee of a City agency, whether employed full-time, part-time, seasonal, contractual, or otherwise, including any member of a City board or commission, regardless of whether the member is compensated.
(g) Notice of declination.
"Notice of declination" means the notice sent by the Office of the Inspector General that informs the whistleblower their complaint is insufficient for the Office of the Inspector General to investigate.
(h) Notice of investigation.
"Notice of investigation" means the notice sent by the Office of the Inspector General that informs the whistleblower the Office of the Inspector General will be initiating a whistleblower investigation based on the complaint.
(i) Personnel action.
"Personnel action" means an act or omission by a supervisor that has a significant adverse impact on an employee, including dismissal, demotion, suspension, punitive transfer or assignment, disciplinary action, negative performance evaluation, failure to appoint, failure to promote, failure to transfer, or failure to assign.
(j) Personnel officer.
"Personnel officer" means an employee of the agency associated with the complaint who is responsible for administering personnel functions.
(k) Supervisor.
"Supervisor" means any individual who directly or indirectly oversees the work of an employee who files a complaint pursuant to this subtitle.
(l) Whistleblower.
"Whistleblower" means an employee who makes a covered disclosure.