Oklahoma Senate Passes Bill to Strengthen Free Speech on Campuses
“would require universities to publish their free speech policies and submit annual reports to state officials, including the governor”
Have you noticed that it’s typically red states that are passing bills to protect speech?
Campus Reform reports:
Oklahoma Senate passes bill strengthening campus free speech protections
The Oklahoma Senate passed Senate Bill 1725 on Wednesday, advancing legislation designed to protect free speech rights on college campuses amid ongoing concerns about restrictions on conservative viewpoints.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Ally Seifried, would permit public colleges and universities to charge security fees for events involving expressive activities while restricting when institutions can discipline students for speech-related conduct.
S.B 1725 states that protected expression includes “verbal, written, audio-visual, or electronic” communication, along with peaceful assembly such as protests, guest lectures, petitions, and demonstrations.
The measure could prohibit universities from disciplining students for such activities unless their actions meet the legal definition of harassment, including threats of violence or physically blocking access to events.
S.B. 1725 would allow schools to impose “reasonable” time, place, and manner restrictions, provided those rules remain viewpoint-neutral and clearly published.
The bill would require universities to publish their free speech policies and submit annual reports to state officials, including the governor and the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, by Dec. 31 each year.
If a free speech incident occurs, the individual must file a lawsuit against the university or college within one year after the day the incident took place.
During the one-year limit that an individual can file a First Amendment incident suit, a policy violation will remain in effect after the incident has been formally reported.
First Amendment training is recommended to be formulated by the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee. Alternative First Amendment “outside” training is also recommended where college deans and department heads are “required” to institute free speech guidelines and complaints, which would be revised and reapproved bi-annually.
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