Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to pass a bill that requires the State Board of Higher Education to develop policies protecting free speech on campus.

Highlights:

• Authorizes any student to express ideas and criticize and contest the views of others at a state institution of higher education, except when it obstructs or otherwise interferes with the freedom of others on campus to do the same (Sec. 1).

• Requires state institutions of higher education to allow peaceful assembly (Sec. 1).

• Requires the State Board of Higher Education to adopt a policy on free speech that must apply to all students (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes higher education institutions to require an individual who is not employed by or enrolled in the institution to obtain prior permission or authorization from the institution to use a public forum to demonstrate, protest, speak, or assemble (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that these freedoms are subject to time, place and manner restrictions and must not do any of the following (Sec. 1):

• Substantially obstruct building entrances, walkways, and rights-of-way;

• Obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic on or adjacent to the institution; or

• Interfere with classes, meetings, events or other processes of the institution.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to pass a bill that requires the State Board of Higher Education to develop policies protecting free speech on campus.

Highlights:

• Requires the State Board of Higher Education to adopt a policy on free speech which must include, but is not limited to, the following guarantees (Sec. 1):

• Confirmation of free speech as a fundamental right, with each state institution of higher education committed to free and open inquiry by all students;

• The broadest possible latitude for students to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn to discuss any issue on campus;

• No prohibition of any type of speech or expressive activity, except in special situations;

• Allowance for students to criticize and contest the views of the community of the institution; and

• Promotion of lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation.

• Requires the Board of Higher Education to include in such policy a bill of student rights which (Sec. 1):

• Recognizes fundamental and indisputable rights of freedom of inquiry, thought, and expression;

• Encourages students to seek truth and knowledge without abridgement of the right of a student to reveal findings;

• Reassures students that dissenting or disagreeing with generally accepted truth and knowledge is acceptable and essential to free debate, and students are not subject to any non-academic punishment because of the content of lawful speech; and

• Specifies that in exercising freedom of speech, students may not interfere with the academic process of a class.

• Requires state institutions of higher education to allow peaceful assembly and expression of ideas (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text