Commission inserts anti‑retaliation language drawn from Whistleblower Protection Act

The Lansing Charter Commission voted unanimously Feb. 4 to add an anti‑retaliation provision to Section 3.207 that would protect people who participate in inquiries or investigations involving a public body.

Commission counsel recommended inserting a new subsection modeled on the Whistleblower Protection Act to clarify that employees and participants are protected from retaliation when they provide information to a legislative process or investigation. Counsel said the statute already provides protections but that the commission could underscore the city’s commitment by placing the language in the charter.

Commissioners debated where in the charter the provision should sit; counsel suggested Article 6 (city employees) would be appropriate for broad employee protections, but the commission decided to add a narrowly focused anti‑retaliation subsection to Section 3.207 to address protections tied to council investigations and legislative participation. The motion to add the subsection passed unanimously.

Commissioners said they wanted the charter to explicitly reassure residents and staff that participation in lawful processes will not subject them to retaliation and that including the provision in Section 3.207 would remove ambiguity for witnesses, complainants and participants in council-related inquiries.