(a)      Any employee who is subject to a personnel action in violation of § 1-502 of this subtitle may institute a civil action in the county where:

            (1)      The alleged violation occurred;

            (2)      The employee resides; or

            (3)      The employer maintains its principal offices in the State.

      (b)      The action shall be brought within 1 year after the alleged violation of § 1-502 of this subtitle occurred, or within 1 year after the employee first became aware of the alleged violation of § 1-502 of this subtitle.