Legislative Policy Reform
Defending Your Rights
FIRE works closely with lawmakers across the country and political spectrum to protect civil liberties. Our Legislative Policy Reform team supports FIRE’s mission on both a state and federal level by advocating on behalf of rights-protective legislation and against proposed laws that threaten student and faculty rights. The project has numerous priorities, including the defense of the due process protections afforded by the current Title IX regulations governing procedures for campus sexual misconduct. It also focuses on passing legislation that defines a national standard for student-on-student harassment, bans “free speech zones” from public college campuses, protects academic freedom, and more.
![politician sitting by table with his hands over document during political summit or conference](/sites/default/files/styles/400x400/public/2022/08/politician%20sitting%20by%20table%20with%20his%20hands%20over%20document%20during%20political%20summit%20or%20conference%20shutterstock_1449056204_0.jpg?h=82f92a78&itok=_PQm7Grf)
Newsdesk
Stay Informed
Stay up-to-date on bills and laws that will shape free speech and due process across the country by following FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk.
![University of Michigan PhD student Allison Cale, center, carries a sign that says Free Speech! Free Palestine! as students walk out to protest university administration's proposed disruptive activity policy at U-M's Diag in Ann Arbor on Thursday, April 4, 2024.](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2024/06/University%20of%20Michigan%20PhD%20student%20Allison%20Cale%20Israel%20Palestine%20Protest.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=S04RxSyV)
![Shelf of books with a locked chain in front of it](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2023/12/shutterstock_1165375276.jpg?h=a955cd85&itok=SfP28YZ9)
![The front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, at dusk.](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2024/03/The%20front%20of%20the%20US%20Supreme%20Court%20in%20Washington%20reflecting%20pool.jpg?h=bb398acb&itok=vRcROh5r)
![Dome of the Kansas State Capital Building in Topeka with the state flag in the foreground](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2024/04/Dome%20of%20the%20Kansas%20State%20Capital%20Building%20in%20Topeka.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=32odJveS)
Free Speech and Due Process Are Cornerstones of Our Democracy
FIRE promotes legislation and policy that protects our right to freedom of speech and due process, while combating measures that would restrict the exercise of those crucial rights.
![Aerial view of college campus buildings](/sites/default/files/styles/640x360/public/2022/08/Aerial%20view%20of%20college%20campus%20buildings%20university%20center%20square%20-%20Shutterstock.jpg?h=a7f9be62&itok=nGxG-LKW)
Proposed Changes to Title IX
On June 23, 2022, the Department of Education released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would revise Title IX regulations. The revision threatens student free speech and due process rights. FIRE urges the Department of Education to revise its proposal to respect student rights, and we will consider all our options to preserve those rights — up to and including legal action.
![The disproportionate nature of sexual assault allegations based on race demonstrates the need for stronger due process and the continuation of the current Title IX regulations.](/sites/default/files/styles/640x360/public/2021/06/22155331/Title_IX_Graphic__Featured-1.png?h=252f27fa&itok=DgXClq45)
Are Free Speech and Due Process Protected on Your Campus?
FIRE promotes legislation that protects student and faculty rights to freedom of speech and due process. Is your campus protected?
![US Capitol Building](/sites/default/files/styles/334x250/public/2019/03/25112503/us-capitol-detail-.jpg?h=252f27fa&itok=TWEEAiD_)
Enacted Campus Free Speech Statutes
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Enacted Campus Due Process Statutes
Model Legislation
FIRE stands ready to help legislators secure legislative victories for student and faculty rights.
![lawyer signing legal document](/sites/default/files/styles/640x360/public/2022/08/model%20legislation%20law%20legal%20lawyer%20signing%20legal%20document%20court%20shutterstock_1141652006.jpg?h=5dabf909&itok=mxR1tDz3)
Commentary
Free Speech
FIREs comment to Department of Education: Your proposed Title IX regulations are unconstitutional
South Dakota bans campus free speech zones
Florida becomes ninth state to ban restrictive campus free speech zones
Comprehensive campus free speech bill becomes law in Tennessee
Colorado passes bipartisan bill to strike down speech restrictions on campus
Due Process
FIRE submits comment to Department of Education on proposed Title IX regulations
Dear Colleague: Its over! Education Department rescinds controversial 2011 letter
With New Law, North Dakota Guarantees College Students Right to Attorney
North Carolina Becomes First State to Guarantee College Students Right to Attorney
Religious Liberty
Nationwide: All-comers Policies Jeopardize Free Association
Kentuckys controversial Charlie Brown bill has two provisions worth celebrating
Kansas Governor Signs Bill Protecting Students Religious Liberty
North Carolina Governor Signs Bill Protecting Religious and Political Groups on Campus
Our Advocacy, Your Rights
Learn more about how FIRE advocates for your rights.
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![College students gathered around a table looking at a computer.](/sites/default/files/styles/640x360/public/2022/08/students-college-campus-Shutterstock-6.jpg?h=82f92a78&itok=8aq1ALO6)