Public Safety Free Speech Act
This bill protects certain public safety workers - like police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel - from job loss or punishment for expressing personal opinions about work-related issues. It allows covered employees to sue employers if they face adverse actions (like termination) for speaking out on topics such as working conditions, safety equipment, pay, policies, or even political/religious views. However, the protection does not cover speech made while on duty, threats of violence, discrimination, disclosure of confidential personal information, or calls to withhold essential services. The law explicitly states it doesn’t override existing civil rights laws like 42 U.S.C. 1983.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Feb 18, 2025
Last action Feb 18, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Feb 18, 2025
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 17 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jefferson Van Drew
RRepublican
Co
Andy Barr
RRepublican
Co
Brad Sherman
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Pappas
DDemocratic
Co
Dina Titus
DDemocratic
Co
Don Bacon
RRepublican
Co
Donald Norcross
DDemocratic
Co
Eugene Simon Vindman
DDemocratic
Co
Jahana Hayes
DDemocratic
Co
Jason Crow
DDemocratic
Co
Joe Neguse
DDemocratic
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