A person who willfully obstructs or hinders the proper exercise of the Public Counsel's functions, or who willfully misleads or attempts to mislead the Public Counsel's inquiries, shall be guilty of a Class II misdemeanor. No employee of the State of Nebraska, who files a complaint pursuant to sections 81-8,240 to 81-8,254, shall be subject to any penalties, sanctions, or restrictions in connection with such employee's employment because of such complaint.