H.R. 2634

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2634 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2634

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.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 3, 2025

Mr. Kiley of California (for himself and Mr. Owens) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and 
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.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Free Speech On Campus Act''.

SEC. 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).''.
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