California legislative staff get whistleblower protections

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California legislative staff members on Monday applauded the passage of a bill granting whistleblower protections to legislative staff members who say they are badly needed to ensure sexual misconduct and other misbehavior can be reported without fear of retaliation.

It passed the Assembly unanimously and was quickly signed by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, taking effect immediately. The Senate passed it last week after stonewalling a similar measure for four years. Legislative staff members wearing black gathered in the Assembly gallery and balcony to watch the debate.

"You're not standing alone," Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia of Bell Gardens told them from the floor.