A 1337

This bill establishes a comprehensive nuclear whistleblower access and assistance program to protect employees who report safety concerns at both public and private nuclear power plants in New York State. The program, to be created by the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority in consultation with federal and state regulators, requires nuclear facility operators to implement whistleblower protections, provides toll-free hotlines for anonymous reporting of safety issues, and ensures employees cannot face retaliation for raising concerns. The legislation strengthens existing protections by allowing whistleblowers to pursue legal action without first exhausting administrative remedies and empowering the Attorney General to enforce anti-retaliation provisions, ultimately aiming to enhance nuclear safety by encouraging employees with first-hand knowledge of potential problems to come forward without fear of job loss or other reprisals.