HR 7398 United States House · 118th Congress

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
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2
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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

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