Providing for training, prohibitions, and requirements relating to first amendment rights at school districts and public institutions of higher education

This bill provides for first amendment rights training, prohibitions, and requirements at or by school districts and regents universities. The state board of regents must develop materials, programs, and procedures to ensure that those persons who are responsible for discipline, instruction, or administration of the campus community, and who have oversight of student government organizations, or distribute activity fee funds, understand the policies, regulations, and duties of the institution regarding free expression on campus. The state board of regents must direct the state universities to comply with a number of requirements, including that institution resources will not be used for partisan activities; public statements regarding policy matters made by certain university officials shall represent only the position of the institution as determined in collaboration with the state board of regents; the university shall not permit discrimination or denial of educational benefits because of the viewpoint expressed by an individual representing a student organization or by a student; and that the university shall post the state board’s and the university’s policies and procedures relating to these requirements on the institution’s internet site, including the procedures by which a member of the campus community may file a complaint for a violation under the bill with the state board of regents.28, prohibiting certain actions by state employees and prohibiting reprisals, apply to employees of the state universities. If the institution or a court finds that a faculty member discriminated against a student in violation of the bill, the faculty member’s employment at the institution may be terminated. The bill establishes similar requirements for school districts. If a school employee is licensed by the board of educational examiners and is found to have discriminated against a student or employee, the school employee may be subject to disciplinary action by the board. Each regents university must provide training on free speech under the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States to students, faculty, and staff on an annual basis and shall allow elected officials and staff to attend.