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6/20/2025
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Assembly passes Chairmen Craven and LaMountain’s bill protecting employees’ free speech in the workplace
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STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly today passed legislation introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert E. Craven and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Matthew L. LaMountain that would protect employees’ free speech in the workplace.
“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).
“This legislation aims to find a middle ground in protecting the free speech rights of employees without trampling on the free speech rights of employers,” said Chairman LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston). “Political coercion is becoming a more widespread problem in the workplace. Captive audience meetings, where employers require workers to listen to political, religious or anti-union rhetoric on company time, is a serious threat to individual liberty, and this bill seeks to curb that practice.”
The legislation (2025-H 5506A, 2025-S 0126A) 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 now heads to the governor for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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