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NEWS RELEASE
Date: Monday, February 11, 2013
Contact: (574) 210 - 9623 or VScheyPSouthBendiN.gov
From: 3rd District Council Member,Valerie Schey
"3rd District Council Member Voices Opposition to SB 373 Addressing Whistleblower Suppression"
SB 373 is pending in the Indiana General Assembly. The bill, also known as the Anti-Whistleblower Bill,
was written to prevent employees and undercover investigators from documenting and reporting unsafe
working conditions, environmental problems and animal abuse taking place on industrial factory farms.
Over the years employees and investigators have taken great risks to come forward with reports of
horrific conditions and cruel mistreatment of animals on industrial factory farms. In 2008,the work of an
undercover investigator reveled how diseased, or "downer", cows were being used for beef sold to
consumers in grocery stores. That investigation led to the country's largest ever meat recall and a state
law banning the use of such downed cattle.
As an elected South Bend City Council Member I believe that reputable businesses don't need laws
silencing whistleblowers. I question the constitutionality of whistleblower suppression as infringing on
our First Amendment right to free speech and freedom of the press.
SB 373 is scheduled to be heard by the Corrections and Criminal Law Committee this Tuesday, February
12th. I believe that creating a law making it illegal for an individual to report unsafe working conditions,
environmental issues or other abuses in the work place is a violation of our American ideals. I am
therefore contacting members of the Indiana General Assembly and members of the Corrections and
Criminal Law Committee and will be urging them to vote "No" on SB 3711 encourage others to do the
same so that this Bill is defeated.