(a) An agency, officer, or state employee may not directly or indirectly refuse to hire, transfer, or promote, or dismiss, demote, suspend, lay off, or otherwise discipline a person for filing a complaint with the division of personnel for a failure to comply with affirmative action or equal employment opportunity or for assisting the division of personnel in an investigation of a complaint.
(b) A person who knowingly violates this section is liable for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.