The "Free to Speak Act" aims to protect students and employees in public schools and state institutions from disciplinary or adverse actions for refusing to use specific speech, particularly regarding pronouns and names that do not align with an individual's legal name or sex. The bill defines key terms such as "employee," "student," and "public school," and clarifies that both students and employees cannot be penalized for declining to identify their pronouns or address others in a manner inconsistent with their legal names or sex.

Additionally, the act provides a private cause of action for individuals harmed by violations, allowing them to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and attorney fees within two years of the violation. The bill includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.