DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 269 Original 2017 Regular Session Lance Harris
Abstract: Provides for the creation of a policy on free expression and for the adoption of
regulations and restrictions of free expression on college campuses.
Proposed law provides for a state policy on free expression on public college and university
campuses, including the following major components:
(1)Requires each of the management boards of the state institutions of postsecondary education
to develop and adopt a policy on free expression that contains specific enumerated statements
and provisions.
(2)Requires the Bd. of Regents to create a committee on free expression to issue annual reports
of the status of free expression on college campuses based upon various metrics.
(3)Authorizes the management boards to adopt regulations to further the purposes of the
adopted policy.
(4)Requires state institutions of postsecondary education to include in freshman orientation
programs a description of the free expression policies and regulations.
(5)Authorizes state institutions of postsecondary education to restrict expressive conduct within
certain limitations.
(6)Creates a cause of action for injunction, damages, court costs, and attorney fees available to
the attorney general or a person whose expressive rights are violated by a violation of
proposed law.
(Adds R.S. 17:3399.31-3399.36)