(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.