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4/30/2025
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Chairmen Craven and Shanley’s bill would protect employees’ free speech in the workplace
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STATE HOUSE – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert E. Craven and House State Government and Elections Committee Chairman Evan P. Shanley have introduced a bill (2025-H 5506) that would protect employees’ free speech in the workplace.
Both Chairmen Craven and Shanley say passing this bill is a top priority for them this session.
“Freedom of speech, especially regarding political or religious viewpoints, is the bedrock of our democracy, and any efforts to stifle this right go against what it means to be an American. Any attempt to force a differing political or religious opinion on another, particularly with threats or intimidation toward one’s livelihood, is completely unacceptable and has no place in an employer and employee relationship. This legislation will protect the free speech rights of employees and offer them restitution if their rights are infringed upon by employer misconduct,” said Chairman Craven (D-Dist. 32, North Kingstown).
“No employer has the right to dictate or force their personal beliefs upon their employees. Such behavior is even more egregious if it’s enforced or coerced with penalization or retribution against one’s job or career. We can no longer call ourselves a democratic society if freedom of speech and thought is not protected and this bill will defend the First Amendment rights of our state’s dedicated workers,” said Chairman Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick, East Greenwich).
The legislation would protect employees’ rights in the workplace concerning political and religious matters by creating a civil action that may provide damages and attorneys’ fees.
It would prevent employers from discharging, disciplining, penalizing or
taking any adverse employment action against an employee because of the employee’s refusal to attend an employer-sponsored meeting, listening to speech or viewing communications, including electronic communications, that communicate the employer's opinion concerning religious or political matters.
In any civil action to enforce the bill, the court may award a prevailing employee all appropriate relief, including injunctive relief, reinstatement to the employee’s former position or an equivalent position, back pay and reestablishment of any employee benefits, including seniority, to which the employee would otherwise have been eligible, if the violation had not occurred, damages, and reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.
The legislation has been referred to the House Labor Committee.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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