New law gives Kentucky college students ‘broadest possible latitude’ for free speech

FRANKFORT, Ky., March 26, 2019 — Today, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin signed HB 254 into law, protecting free speech at the commonwealth’s public colleges and universities by granting students the “broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, learn, and discuss any issue.”

The bill requires institutions to maintain “a marketplace of ideas where the free exchange of ideas is not suppressed” and explicitly prohibits the use of restrictive free speech zones.

“College leaders should promote the fact that their campuses host diverse viewpoints, not corral dissenting speakers into pre-approved areas where they determine it’s ‘safe’ to have an opinion,” said FIRE Executive Director Robert Shibley. “We commend Kentucky legislators for making free speech a priority, and encourage other states to follow their lead.”

Ten percent of colleges and universities surveyed by FIRE maintain a free speech zone, according to FIRE’s Spotlight on Speech Codes 2019 report. Free speech zones have repeatedly been struck down by courts or voluntarily revised by colleges as part of lawsuit settlements brought by students. Eight cases in FIRE’s Stand Up For Speech Litigation Project included successful challenges to free speech zone policies.

The University of Kentucky, Morehead State University, and Murray State University are among the institutions that will need to change or clarify their policies to comply with the law.

“This legislation champions the rights of students across the political spectrum to participate in the quintessential ‘marketplace of ideas’ that campuses of higher education are intended to provide,” said FIRE Legislative and Policy Director Joe Cohn. “Because HB 254 is now law, students at public institutions throughout Kentucky have a powerful new tool to combat censorship on campus.”

Under the law, Kentucky’s public colleges and universities are prohibited from charging students security fees based on the expressive content of their campus events or the ideas of their invited guest speakers. The law also prevents institutions from “disinviting” speakers invited by a student, student organization, or faculty member.

Importantly, the new legislation also provides a cause of action, which allows students to sue institutions in state court for violations of the act.

HB 254 was introduced by Rep. Savannah Maddox. The bill’s counterpart in the Kentucky Senate was sponsored by Sen. Wil Schroder. The legislation received bipartisan support in each chamber.

FIRE stands ready to assist colleges and universities in complying with the requirements of the new law.

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of students and faculty members at America’s colleges and universities. These rights include freedom of speech, freedom of association, due process, legal equality, religious liberty, and sanctity of conscience — the essential qualities of liberty.

CONTACT:

Daniel Burnett, Assistant Director of Communications, FIRE: 215-717-3473; media@thefire.org