Signed by Governor Sam Brownback

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits institutions of higher education from discriminating against religious student associations, effective July 1, 2016.

Highlights:

• Prohibits postsecondary institutions from taking any action or enforcing any policy that would deny a religious student association any benefit available to any other student association (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits postsecondary institutions from discriminating against a religious student organization based on the organization’s requirement that leaders or members of the organization do any of the following (Sec. 2):

• Adhere to or comply with the organization’s religious beliefs or standards of conduct; or;

• Be committed to furthering the organization’s religious beliefs, missions, observance requirements, standards of conduct, or religion on which the organization is based.

• Authorizes students and organizations to bring a cause of action against a postsecondary educational institution or assert a violation as a counterclaim in proceedings brought against them (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text