Bill to protect corruption whistleblowers and create an independent watchdog

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The bill would grant rights to people who report corruption: confidentiality, information about the status of their report, free legal advice, psychological assistance and protection from retaliation at work, with a list of banned reprisals such as dismissal or harassment.
2. It would regulate how reports are handled: they would be filed through a confidential channel, anonymously or identified, and the investigation must be resolved within three months, extendable to six. It could end with the case being closed, sent to the Public Prosecutor or turned into a sanctioning procedure.
3. It would create the Independent Public Integrity Authority, replacing the Office of Conflicts of Interest. It would monitor senior officials' obligations, protect whistleblowers and be able to investigate and inspect public and private persons and entities.
4. It would set up a sanctioning regime: fines would range from €200 to €400,000 depending on whether the offense is minor, serious or very serious, and senior officials could also be removed from office or barred from similar posts for five to ten years.
5. It would ban pardons for corruption offenses, remove maximum time limits for criminal investigations, create the crime of illicit enrichment and make political parties, unions and business organizations civilly liable for crimes committed by their officials and employees.
6. Before a senior official is appointed, the new Authority would issue a public, non-binding report on whether the proposed person is suitable, to reduce the Government's discretion and prevent nepotism and conflicts of interest.

Who it affects

• Public employees and public sector staff who report corruption: They would receive protection, legal advice and a guarantee of no retaliation.
• Senior officials of the General State Administration: They would be monitored by the new Authority and could be removed from office or barred for offenses.
• Political parties, unions and business organizations: They would be civilly liable for crimes committed by their officials and employees.
• Autonomous communities and local entities: They could create their own whistleblower protection bodies or assign the task to the new Authority through an agreement.

Words worth knowing

Indemnidad laboral

Guarantee that no one can harm you at work for having reported wrongdoing.

Indulto (pardon)

A Government decision that fully or partially forgives a sentence imposed by a court.

Enriquecimiento ilícito (illicit enrichment)

A crime a public official would commit if their wealth grows and they cannot explain where the money came from.

Instrucción penal (criminal investigation phase)

The first stage of a criminal court case, in which the judge investigates the facts before trial.

Alto cargo (senior official)

A person appointed to a top management post in the Administration, such as undersecretary or director general.

It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries