Public Safety Free Speech Act
This bill allows law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel (covered employees) to sue their public safety employers if they face termination or other punishment for expressing personal opinions about work-related issues. It specifically protects speech on topics like public safety service delivery, pay/benefits, working conditions (including equipment), workplace policies, and even political/religious views. However, the protection does not cover on-duty speech, speech advocating violence or discrimination, disclosure of confidential information, or threats to withhold essential services. The law creates a new legal remedy but explicitly states it does not override existing federal or state civil rights laws.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Feb 15, 2024
Last action Feb 15, 2024
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Feb 15, 2024
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
lower
Feb 15, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 13 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jefferson Van Drew
RRepublican
Co
Andrew R. Garbarino
RRepublican
Co
Darren Soto
DDemocratic
Co
David J. Trone
DDemocratic
Co
Don Bacon
RRepublican
Co
Glenn Grothman
RRepublican
Co
James C. Moylan
RRepublican
Co
James R. Baird
RRepublican
Co
Raul Ruiz
DDemocratic
Co
Rudy Yakym III
RRepublican
Co
Salud O. Carbajal
DDemocratic
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