Free Speech On Campus Act

Bill: 118-hr-3505
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3]
Introduced: 2023-05-18
Policy area: Education
Latest action: action_date: 2023-05-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-05-18
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Free Speech On Campus Act</b></p> <p>This bill requires public institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs to provide students with information about their First Amendment rights.</p> <p>Specifically, an IHE must provide new and transfer students attending orientation with </p> <ul> <li>a written statement (that must also be published on the IHE's website) that explains student rights under the First Amendment, affirms the commitment of the IHE to freedom of expression, and includes an assurance that students and invited speakers will not be treated in a manner that violates their freedom of expression; and </li> <li>educational programming (including online resources) that includes the IHE's policies for protecting freedom of expression and lessons for understanding the First Amendment.</li> </ul>

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3505 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 18, 2023 Mr. Kiley (for himself and Mr. Owens ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require public institutions of higher education, as a condition of participating in programs under title IV of such Act, to provide a written statement and educational programming to new students on the rights of students under the first amendment to the Constitution.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Free Speech On Campus Act . 2. Program participation agreement on freedom of expression Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1094(a) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (30) In the case of a public institution, the institution will carry out each of the following: (A) At each orientation for new and transfer students, provide students attending the orientation— (i) a written statement that— (I) explains the rights of students under the first amendment to the Constitution; (II) affirms the importance and the commitment of the institution to freedom of expression; and (III) includes assurances that students, and individuals invited by students to speak at the institution, will not be treated in a manner that violates the freedom of expression of such students or individuals; and (ii) educational programming (including online resources) that include each of the following: (I) Descriptions of policies, procedures, and protocols of the institution that protect freedom of expression and prohibit exclusionary behavior. (II) Lessons that— (aa) teach and encourage the expression of a wide range of views in a productive and respectful manner; and (bb) include an understanding of the first amendment to the Constitution and its role in supporting the commitment of the institution to freedom of expression. (B) Post on the publicly accessible website of the institution the statement described in subparagraph (A)(i). .