HB 6567 — AN ACT REQUIRING PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A POLICY REGARDING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ON CAMPUS.

House of Representatives General Assembly SubstituteFile Bill No.

6567156 January Session, 2023 ANSubstitute ACTHouse REQUIRINGBill PUBLICNo. INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A POLICY REGARDING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ON CAMPUS.

6567 House of Representatives, March 22, 2023 The Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement reported through REP.

HADDAD of the 54th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the substitute bill ought to pass.

AN ACT REQUIRING PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A POLICY REGARDING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ON CAMPUS.

Such policy shall include, but not be limited to, (1) the goal of prioritizing freedom of expression in the fulfillment of the institution's mission, including, but not limited to, freedom of expression in research, teaching, discussion and debate, (2) the role of the institution in protecting freedom of expression on campus, including when the ideas or opinions expressed are disagreeable or offensive, (3) reasonable limitations on time, place and manner of expression, provided such limitations are content neutral and necessary to a compelling institutional interest, (4) allowance for protest or demonstrationsHB6567 by/ anyFile person lawfully present on campus, including a spontaneous protest or demonstration, provided such protest or demonstration does not substantially or materially interfere with the institution's function or in the ability of others to engage in or listen to an expressive activity, (5) the designation of public areas on campus as public forums that are open on the same terms to any speaker, (6) the availability of resources for protecting the safety and freedom of expression of any speaker invited on campus by any student, student group or faculty member, which resources shall be LCO \\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06567-R011 of 2 HB.docx Substitute Bill No.

6567156 available1 onsHB6567 theFile sameNo. terms to any invited speaker, and (7) allowance for enrolled students to engage other students in discussion or to distribute to other students written materials that are political, social, educational, religious or cultural in nature in various locations throughout campus, including, but not limited to, common areas of dormitories and inside and outside of student union buildings, provided (A) such discussion or distribution of written materials does not substantially or materially interfere with such institution's function;

156 demonstration by any person lawfully present on campus, including a spontaneous protest or demonstration, provided such protest or demonstration does not substantially or materially interfere with the institution's function or in the ability of others to engage in or listen to an expressive activity, (5) the designation of public areas on campus as public forums that are open on the same terms to any speaker, (6) the availability of resources for protecting the safety and freedom of expression of any speaker invited on campus by any student, student grouporfacultymember,whichresourcesshallbeavailableonthesame terms to any invited speaker, and (7) allowance for enrolled students to engage other students in discussion or to distribute to other students written materials that are political, social, educational, religious or cultural in nature in various locations throughout campus, including, but not limited to, common areas of dormitories and inside and outside ofstudent unionbuildings,provided(A)such discussionor distribution of written materials does not substantially or materially interfere with such institution's function;

(b) Not later than February 1, 2024, the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut and the Board of Regents for Higher Education shall submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a11- 4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education the policy adopted pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

ThissHB6567 act/ shallFile takeNo. effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

156 2 sHB6567 File No.

156 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

-LCO LCOsHB6567 {\\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2023HB-06567-2/ ofFile 2No. R01-HB.docx }

156 3 sHB6567 File No.

156 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill requires UConn and the Board of Regents of Higher Education to each develop and adopt a policy on freedom of expression for public institutions of higher education.

This is not anticipated to result in a fiscal impact as UConn and the Board of Regents have the staff and expertise necessary to do so.

The Out Years State Impact:

None Municipal Impact:

None sHB6567 / File No.

156 4 sHB6567 File No.

156 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 6567 AN ACT REQUIRING PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A POLICY REGARDING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ON CAMPUS.

SUMMARY The Office of Legislative Research does not analyze Special Acts.

COMMITTEE ACTION Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee Joint Favorable Yea 22 Nay 0 (03/07/2023) sHB6567 / File No.

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