Bill > S1247

This bill establishes legal protections for public safety employees (including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service workers) to express personal opinions about their work without fear of workplace retaliation. The bill defines a "covered employee" and "employer" broadly and allows these employees to sue their employers if they are terminated or face adverse employment actions for speaking out about topics such as public safety service delivery, compensation, working conditions, equipment, employer policies, and personal political or religious opinions. Employees can seek damages, attorneys' fees, and other relief if they prevail in such lawsuits. However, the bill includes important limitations: employees cannot make these statements while on duty, cannot encourage violence or illegal actions, cannot advocate for discrimination, cannot disclose confidential personal information about individuals they interact with at work, and cannot suggest withholding essential services as a form of protest. The bill does not replace existing legal protections for civil rights, but instead provides an additional avenue for public safety workers to protect their free speech rights in the workplace.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1247/all-info