Signed by Governor Kristi Noem

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that requires all forms of free speech be protected at public universities.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the Board of Regents shall require each institution under its control maintain a commitment to the principles of free expression and encourage the timely and rational discussion of topics in an environment that is intellectually and ideologically diverse (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes a public institution of higher education to maintain and enforce lawful reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions regarding the use of outdoor areas described in this act (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits an institution of higher education, its faculty, administrators, or other employees from discriminating against any student or student organization based on the content or viewpoint of their expressive activity (Sec. 4).

• Defines “expressive activity” as any lawful noncommercial verbal or written means by which one person communicates ideas to another, including peaceful assembly, protests, speeches, distribution of literature, the carrying of signs, or the circulation of petitions (Sec. 1).

• Defines “intellectual diversity” as a learning environment that exposes students to and encourages exploration or a variety or ideological and political perspectives (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text