Rep. Van Drew Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Free Speech Rights for Police and Firefighters

From policy text

“a covered employee may bring an action against an employer if the employer engages in termination or any adverse employment action against the employee for making oral or written statements expressing the employee's personal opinion”

From policy text

“Subsection (a) shall not apply to written or oral comments that-- (1) are made while the covered employee is on duty; (2) express any encouragement of, or intent, to commit violence or other illegal actions”

From policy text

“A plaintiff that prevails in an action under subsection (a) may receive actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, any combination of those, attorneys' fees and costs, and any other appropriate relief.”

From policy text

“a qualified law enforcement officer (as defined in section 926B(c) of title 18, United States Code); (B) an individual employed by an employer for the purposes of providing fire-fighting services or emergency medical services; or (C) a Federal firefighter”

From policy text

“This Act shall not be construed to preempt, preclude, or supersede section 1979 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1983) or any State law that provides a cause of action for deprivation of rights under color of law.”