Enacts GS 160A-290, Protection from retaliation for municipal law enforcement officers. Defines employing agency and municipal law enforcement officer. Provides a statement of policy and establishes the following protections and remedies.

Prohibits an employing agency from discharging, threatening, or otherwise discriminating against a municipal law enforcement officer regarding the officer's compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privilege of employment because the officer or a person acting on the officer's behalf reports or is about to report activity constituting (1) a violation of State or federal law, rule, or regulation, (2) fraud, (3) misappropriation of State and local government resources, (4) substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety, or (5) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of monies, or gross abuse of authority. Clarifies that this prohibition does not apply where the officer knows or has reason to believe that the report is inaccurate. Prohibits a municipal law enforcement officer from retaliating against another municipal law enforcement officer because the officer or a person acting on the officer's behalf reports or is about to report activity constituting any of the above descriptions.

Prohibits an employing agency from discharging, threatening, or otherwise discriminating against a municipal law enforcement officer regarding the officer's compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privilege of employment because the officer refused to carry out a directive that constitutes a violation of State or federal law, rule, or regulation, or poses a substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety. Prohibits a municipal law enforcement officer from retaliating against another municipal law enforcement officer because the officer refused to carry out such a directive.

Establishes a right of action and remedies for injuries stemming from a violation of the new statute. Lists remedies to damages, injunction, reinstatement of the officer, payment of back wages, full reinstatement of fringe benefits and seniority rights, costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, or any combination thereof. Sets a one year statute of limitations for a claim arising under this statute from the date the alleged violation occurred. Clarifies that any claim arising under Article 21 of GS Chapter 95, Retaliatory Employment Discrimination, can be maintained pursuant to those provisions, and can only be redressed by relief available under that Article.

Requires an officer to be awarded costs and reasonable attorneys' fees if permanent injunction is granted. Further, in an action seeking damages, requires the court to award damages three times the amount of actual damages, in addition to costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, if the court finds the officer was injured by willful violation of the statute.

Makes it the duty of the employing agency of the municipal law enforcement officer to post notice to keep officers informed of their protections and obligations under the new statute. 

Effective October 1, 2017, and applies to acts incurring liability on or after that date.