Public Safety Free Speech Act
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, the Public Safety Free Speech Act, protects the right of certain public safety employees – including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel – to speak freely about matters related to their jobs, working conditions, and compensation. It allows these employees to take legal action against employers who take adverse employment actions due to their speech. However, the Act includes limitations on what can be said, specifically prohibiting comments made during duty, those encouraging violence, advocating discrimination, disclosing confidential information, or suggesting withholding essential services.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘covered employee’ as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and federal firefighters.
- Allows covered employees to sue employers for adverse employment actions related to public safety matters.
- Provides for potential remedies including actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees.
- Prohibits speech made during duty, advocating violence, promoting discrimination, disclosing confidential information, or suggesting withholding essential services.
- Does not preempt existing state or federal laws regarding civil rights.
- Covers opinions on employee compensation, working conditions, and employer policies.
- Includes political and religious opinions as protected speech.
- Applies to a broad range of public employers, including counties and municipalities.
Who is affected
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
19 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours