Public Safety Free Speech Act
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, the Public Safety Free Speech Act, aims to protect the free speech rights of certain public safety employees, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. It allows these employees to challenge employment actions taken against them for expressing personal opinions related to their jobs, working conditions, or employer policies. However, the Act includes specific limitations on when such speech protections apply, excluding comments made during duty, those encouraging violence, or those disclosing confidential information.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘covered employee’ as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and federal firefighters.
- Allows covered employees to sue employers for adverse employment actions based on opinions about public safety services, compensation, working conditions, and employer policies.
- Provides for potential remedies including actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees.
- Excludes speech made during duty, that encourages violence, advocates for discrimination, discloses confidential information, or suggests withholding essential services.
- Does not preempt existing state or federal laws regarding civil rights.
- Defines ‘employer’ broadly to include various governmental entities and joint public employers.
Who is affected
- Law enforcement officers
- Firefighters
Bill text
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Sponsors
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5 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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