Section 3.08 - Penalties for Retaliation against Reporters(1) Any person who is discharged, disciplined or in any manner discriminated against for filing a report with or providing information to the Commission or to any agency conducting an investigation under M.G.L. c. 19C shall have the right to have the Commission review and, at its discretion, further investigate an allegation of retaliation.(2) Upon the completion of an investigation and a determination by a preponderance of the evidence by the Commission that the alleged retaliation occurred as a result of the complainant's filing a report with or providing information during an investigation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 19C, the Commission, at its discretion, may: (a) request from the Attorney General appointment of Commission's counsel as a Special Assistant Attorney General to prosecute such cases, and if so appointed, file an application for a complaint at the state District Court for the judicial district in which the alleged violation of M.G.L. c. 19C, § 11 occurred; or(b) refer the matter for prosecution to the Attorney General, or the District Attorney for the county where the alleged violation occurred. If the Commission reports a case to the Attorney General or to a District Attorney, consistent with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 19C, § 3, a copy of the Commission's investigation report and all relevant information in the possession of the Commission shall be sent to the Attorney General or to the appropriate District Attorney.(3) When an individual notifies the Commission of alleged retaliation or provides the Commission with information during the course of an investigation, all information that the individual provides to the Commission, including his or her own identity, shall be maintained as confidential information. The Commission shall not release such information, except as provided in 118 CMR, M.G.L. c. 19C, § 3, c. 66 and c. 66A.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1319, eff. 8/12/2016.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1448, eff. 7/23/2021.