HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A bill that aims to expand protections for whistleblowers is moving through the legislature.

The Senate passed the bill on a 32-4 vote on Wednesday. It now awaits action in the House.

The legislation stems from concerns of several state police troopers who blew the whistle on alleged corruption. They appeared before a committee in February, complaining about how they are now targets of retaliation by higher-ups.

Under the bill, whistleblowers will have more time to file complaints about retaliation. Also, the bill extends, from one to three years, the time that a court can presume that negative personnel actions against a whistleblower are retaliatory.

It also extends whistleblower protection to employees of large state contractors.