(1) Subject to the other provisions of this section, upon the office's receipt of information from a person of a possible unsafe condition in a coal mine located in Utah, the office may:
(a) notify the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration;
(b) notify another appropriate federal, state, or local government agency;
(c) contact the operator of the coal mine;
(d) refer the information to the council on a confidential basis; or
(e) take any other authorized action.
(2) The commission, council, or office may not disclose or otherwise make public the identity of a person who reports a possible unsafe condition in a coal mine located in Utah unless that person authorizes the commission, council, or office to disclose the person's identity.
(3) A coal mine operator may not take adverse action against a person because that person:
(a) reports an alleged unsafe mine condition; or
(b) testifies, assists, or participates in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this chapter.