House passes Whistleblower Protection Act Thursday.

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Intro:	The Whistleblower Protection Act passed in the House on Thursday. The bill, however, actually limits how much damages whistle blowers can receive in court.
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Wrap: Bill Sponsor Nixa Republican Representative Kevin Elmer says the act protects businesses.

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Description: "We are trying to balance the rights of individuals along with the right to earn a living, the right for businesses to operate within the state."

Whistle blowers are already protected under state and federal law.

Democratic St. Louis Representative Karla May says the bill will discourage whistle blowers from speaking out.

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Description: "People do not need to be restrained when they are reporting things that are going to impact our citizens in a negative manner."

The bill passed by a vote of 86 to 66 and moves to the Senate.

Reporting from the state Capital, I'm Paige Hornor.

Intro:	The House passed a bill Thursday containing the whistle blower protection act. Some representatives, however, say it would actually limit whistle blower's rights.
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Wrap: The bill limits punitive damages whistle blowers would receive in court.

Nixa Republican Representative Kevin Elmer sponsors the bill. He says he worked hard to reach a compromise.

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Description: "We are trying to balance the rights of individuals along with the right to earn a living, the right for businesses to operate within the state."

Opponents of the bill say it is a step backward for the rights of whistle blowers. Whistle blowers are already protected under federal and Missouri law.

It passed along party lines and now moves to the Senate.

Reporting from the state Capital, I'm Paige Hornor.

Intro:	The House passed the so-called Whistleblower Protection Act Thursday.
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Wrap: The act limits the awards whistle blowers can receive in lawsuits.

Sponsor of the bill Republican Nixa Representative Kevin Elmer says he is trying to balance the rights of workers and businesses.

Opponents of the bill argued that whistle blowers are already protected. Democratic Columbia Representative Steve Webber says the act hurts whistle blowers.

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Description: "It is specifically about whether whistle blowers who speak up against monsters should have protection or if they should be silenced."

The bill passed along party lines and now moves to the Senate.

Reporting from the state Capital, I'm Paige Hornor.