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Title: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (statute) Post by: Mr. Reactionary on March 13, 2018, 06:32:51 PM Quote Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES Mr. FairBol, for himself (with thanks to the General Assembly of the State of Missouri), introduces A BILL To secure free speech rights in the South's public institutions of higher education. Be it enacted by the House of Delegates: SEC. I - BILL DESIGNATION A. The provisions of this section shall be known and cited as the "Campus Free Expression Act of 2018". SEC. II - PROTECTED ACTIVITIES A. Expressive activities protected under the provisions of this bill include, but are not limited to, all forms of peaceful assembly, protests, speeches, distribution of literature, carrying signs, and circulating petitions. SEC. III - OUTDOOR AREAS A. The outdoor areas of campuses of public institutions of higher education in this state shall be deemed traditional public forums. B. Public institutions of higher education may maintain and enforce reasonable "time, place, and manner" restrictions in service of a significant institutional interest only when such restrictions employ clearly published content, and viewpoint-neutral criteria. C. Any "time, place, and manner" restrictions shall provide for ample alternative means of expression, as well as allow for members of the university community to spontaneously and simultaneously assemble. SEC. IV - PERSONS PERMITTED TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITY A. Any person who wishes to engage in non-commercial expressive activity on campus shall be permitted to do so freely, as long as the person's conduct is not unlawful; and does not, materially and substantially, disrupt the functioning of the institution, subject to the requirements of sub-sections B and C of section three. SEC. V - POTENTIAL CONFLICTS A. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as limiting the right of student expression elsewhere on campus. SEC. VI - LAWSUITS AND LEGAL ACTIONS A. The following persons may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin any violation of this section; or to recover compensatory damages, reasonable court costs, and attorney fees: (1) The Southern attorney general; (2) Persons whose expressive rights were violated through the violation of this section. B. In any action brought under subsection A of this section, if the court finds a violation, the court shall award the aggrieved persons no less than five hundred dollars for the initial violation, plus fifty dollars for each day the violation remains ongoing. C. A person shall be required to bring suit for violation of this section not later than one year after the day the violation takes place. SEC. VII - EFFECTIVE DATE A. This bill shall be enacted into law when passed by the House of Delegates, and signed by the Governor. Bill proposed this thirteenth day of March, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Eighteen. Sponsor: Fairbol Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (debating) Post by: Mr. Reactionary on March 13, 2018, 06:57:09 PM I like this bill and thank the sponsor for introducing it.
It is a nice compliment to the SNOWFLAKE Act we passed last session: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=279091.0 Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (debating) Post by: FairBol on March 14, 2018, 09:50:36 AM Mr. Speaker,
I rise to say a few words in support of this bill. The issue of free speech on college campuses, and what constitutes it, has been of increased importance in recent years. The public university has always been intended to be a place where new ideas can be developed, and where open discussion can flourish. Sadly, it has become common for institutions of higher education to restrict the rights of both students and faculty to free expression. This bill defines what "protected activities" are on a college campus. Specifically, it states that all forms of peaceful expression (including protests, petitions, and other forms of speech) are permitted and protected under regional law. Among other things, the legislation provides that any "time, place, and manner" restrictions shall be clearly stated and published. It also makes clear what the procedure is for bringing a legal action in remedy of a violation of this bill. I believe that this legislation is a step in the right direction; it will ensure that college campuses in the South continue to be bastions of new ideas, and home bases for the best and brightest among us. As such, I urge my colleagues to support this bill's swift passage. I yield. (OOC note: This bill closely resembles one passed by the State of Missouri IRL. Said bill was supported by the "Foundation for Individual Rights In Education" (https://www.thefire.org/) (FIRE) civil rights group) Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (debating) Post by: FairBol on March 17, 2018, 09:32:37 AM Mr. Speaker,
If there are no further comments regarding this bill, I move to call the legislation. I yield. Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (debating) Post by: Mr. Reactionary on March 17, 2018, 10:43:32 AM I concur and join in requesting unanimous consent.
Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (debating) Post by: P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong on March 17, 2018, 04:52:28 PM Question: would this bill effectively force universities to allow hate-speech on their campuses? II.A states that "all" speeches, signs, etc are protected, and I don't think I can support this bill if it forces schools' administrators to stand by while some racists or homophobes hurl slurs and insults at students who are just trying to mind their own business.
Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (debating) Post by: Mr. Reactionary on March 17, 2018, 05:09:27 PM Question: would this bill effectively force universities to allow hate-speech on their campuses? II.A states that "all" speeches, signs, etc are protected, and I don't think I can support this bill if it forces schools' administrators to stand by while some racists or homophobes hurl slurs and insults at students who are just trying to mind their own business. Public universities... as they are state actors under a free speech analysis. Although protected activities are limited to those that are peaceful and which comply with content neutral time/place/manner restrictions. Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (debating) Post by: Mr. Reactionary on March 18, 2018, 01:31:07 PM Unanimous consent is achieved. Since this is Sunday afternoon, final vote shall last until either noon Eastern on Thursday (3/22) or 24 hours after everyone has voted, whichever is sooner.
Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (Final Vote) Post by: FairBol on March 18, 2018, 05:12:21 PM Aye.
Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (Final Vote) Post by: Holy Unifying Centrist on March 18, 2018, 05:42:52 PM Aye
Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (Final Vote) Post by: TheSaint250 on March 18, 2018, 08:10:33 PM Aye
Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (Final Vote) Post by: Mr. Reactionary on March 18, 2018, 09:28:00 PM Aye
Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (Final Vote) Post by: P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong on March 19, 2018, 08:45:24 AM Abstain
Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (Final Vote) Post by: President Punxsutawney Phil on March 19, 2018, 09:07:32 AM Aye
Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (Final Vote) Post by: Mr. Reactionary on March 22, 2018, 12:04:35 AM Bill passed. 5-0-1; 1 NV
Title: Re: S.18.1-24: Campus Free Expression Act of 2018 (Passed) Post by: diptheriadan on March 22, 2018, 12:07:04 AM x diptheriadan
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