Texas Senate Bill 18
What is Texas Senate Bill 18?
The 86th Texas Legislature (2019) passed Senate Bill 18, codified in Education Code § 51.9315, Protected Expression on Campus.
The law defines terms; discusses the importance of freedom of speech and expression on campus and provides that reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions are still authorized, including but not limited to, a faulty member’s ability to maintain safety and order in a classroom.
What Does This Law Require?
The law requires each institution of higher education to adopt a policy detailing student’s rights and responsibilities regarding expressive activities at the college. The policy MUST ALLOW:
“Any person” to engage in expressive activity on campus.
Student organizations and faculty to invite speakers.
A method for filing complaints about non-compliance with the law and disciplinary procedures for individuals (students and employees) violating the law.
The Board of Trustees to approve the new policy before it takes effect.
How Does Senate Bill 18 Benefit Students?
Colleges may not take action against student organizations based on their viewpoints and the expressive activities for which they engage.
Colleges can only consider four factors when determining whether to permit a speaker on campus and the appropriate security fee-venue and size of the crowd, need for security, necessary accommodations, and history of rule compliance by the group of individual inviting the speaker-but not the anticipated controversy related to the appearance.
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Governance Code |
Title – Description |
Summary of Change(s) |
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FKC (LOCAL) |
STUDENT ACTIVITIES: REGISTERED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS |
Revisions to this policy address the Senate Bill 18 requirement that a college district may not deny the registration of a student organization on the basis of the viewpoints or any expressive activities of the organization. |
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Governance Code |
Title – Description |
Summary of Change(s) |
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FLA (LOCAL) |
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: STUDENT EXPRESSION AND USE OF COLLEGE FACILITIES |
Revisions to this policy satisfy the Senate Bill 18 requirement to develop a student expression policy to include provisions for distribution of literature; guidelines regarding use of College District grounds and facilities, including request to host speakers in college district facilities; and procedures for making announcements and publicizing meetings and activities. |