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Public Safety Free Speech Act

USA119th CongressHR-1443| House 
| Updated: 2/18/2025
Jefferson Van Drew

Jefferson Van Drew

Republican Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (14)
Donald Norcross (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Chris Pappas (Democratic)Laura Gillen (Democratic)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Don Bacon (Republican)Andy Barr (Republican)John B. Larson (Democratic)Suhas Subramanyam (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Public Safety Free Speech Act," aims to safeguard the free speech rights of public safety officers by creating a federal cause of action against employers who take adverse employment actions. It defines "covered employees" broadly to include qualified law enforcement officers , individuals providing fire-fighting services , and those in emergency medical services . Employers, ranging from law enforcement agencies to various governmental subdivisions, are prohibited from retaliating against these employees for expressing personal opinions. The protected speech encompasses a wide array of topics, including the delivery of public safety services, employee compensation and benefits, working conditions, and employer policies, as well as political and religious opinions. If an employer violates these protections, a prevailing plaintiff may receive various forms of relief, such as actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief , and attorneys' fees. However, the Act includes limitations, specifying that protection does not extend to comments made while on duty, speech encouraging violence, advocating discrimination, intentionally disclosing confidential information, or suggesting the withholding of essential services.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7398
Public Safety Free Speech Act
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 2, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1247
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7398
    Public Safety Free Speech Act


  • February 18, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 18, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • April 2, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1247
    Introduced in Senate

Labor and Employment

Related Bills

  • S 119-1247: Public Safety Free Speech Act

Public Safety Free Speech Act

USA119th CongressHR-1443| House 
| Updated: 2/18/2025
This bill, titled the "Public Safety Free Speech Act," aims to safeguard the free speech rights of public safety officers by creating a federal cause of action against employers who take adverse employment actions. It defines "covered employees" broadly to include qualified law enforcement officers , individuals providing fire-fighting services , and those in emergency medical services . Employers, ranging from law enforcement agencies to various governmental subdivisions, are prohibited from retaliating against these employees for expressing personal opinions. The protected speech encompasses a wide array of topics, including the delivery of public safety services, employee compensation and benefits, working conditions, and employer policies, as well as political and religious opinions. If an employer violates these protections, a prevailing plaintiff may receive various forms of relief, such as actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief , and attorneys' fees. However, the Act includes limitations, specifying that protection does not extend to comments made while on duty, speech encouraging violence, advocating discrimination, intentionally disclosing confidential information, or suggesting the withholding of essential services.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7398
Public Safety Free Speech Act
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 2, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1247
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7398
    Public Safety Free Speech Act


  • February 18, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 18, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • April 2, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1247
    Introduced in Senate
Jefferson Van Drew

Jefferson Van Drew

Republican Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (14)
Donald Norcross (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Chris Pappas (Democratic)Laura Gillen (Democratic)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Don Bacon (Republican)Andy Barr (Republican)John B. Larson (Democratic)Suhas Subramanyam (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Labor and Employment

Related Bills

  • S 119-1247: Public Safety Free Speech Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted