Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB2508

Introduced
4/6/23  

Caption

Campus Free Speech Restoration Act

Impact

The bill mandates that public institutions must comply with guidelines that protect students' rights to engage in expressive activities freely. If an institution fails to do so, it risks losing eligibility for federal funding. Additionally, private institutions are required to be transparent about their policies concerning student speech and are held accountable for failing to disclose such policies. The Secretary of Education is granted authority to conduct reviews and investigations in response to complaints regarding potential violations of these provisions.

Summary

House Bill 2508, titled the Campus Free Speech Restoration Act, seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to enhance and clarify the expressive rights of students in both public and private higher education institutions. The bill explicitly states that public institutions should not impose limitations on students' religious expression or free speech, aligning their policies with the rights guaranteed under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This includes the elimination of 'free speech zones' and restrictive speech codes that could inhibit student expression.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB 2508 centers on concerns from various stakeholders. Proponents argue that the bill safeguards essential freedoms on college campuses, promoting an environment where diverse opinions flourish. However, opponents raise issues regarding the potential for conflict over hate speech and the ability of institutions to manage campus safety and order. Critics also worry that the bill may incentivize litigation and complaints, potentially leading to conflicts that undermine the intended protections for free speech.

Companion Bills

US SB1511

Related Campus Free Speech Restoration Act

Similar Bills

US HB2998

Protecting America’s Workers Act

US HB3068

Equal Health Care for All Act

US SB270

Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act of 2023

US HB798

Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act of 2023

US HB20

Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2023 This bill expands various labor protections related to employees' rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace. Among other things, it (1) revises the definitions of employee, supervisor, and employer to broaden the scope of individuals covered by the fair labor standards; (2) permits labor organizations to encourage participation of union members in strikes initiated by employees represented by a different labor organization (i.e., secondary strikes); and (3) prohibits employers from bringing claims against unions that conduct such secondary strikes. The bill also allows collective bargaining agreements to require all employees represented by the bargaining unit to contribute fees to the labor organization for the cost of such representation, notwithstanding a state law to the contrary; and expands unfair labor practices to include prohibitions against replacement of, or discrimination against, workers who participate in strikes. The bill makes it an unfair labor practice to require or coerce employees to attend employer meetings designed to discourage union membership and prohibits employers from entering into agreements with employees under which employees waive the right to pursue or a join collective or class-action litigation. The bill further prohibits employers from taking adverse actions against an employee, including employees with management responsibilities, in response to that employee participating in protected activities related to the enforcement of the prohibitions against unfair labor practices (i.e., whistleblower protections). Such protected activities include providing information about a potential violation to an enforcement agency, participating in an enforcement proceeding, initiating a proceeding concerning an alleged violation or assisting in such a proceeding, or refusing to participate in an activity the employee reasonably believes is a violation of labor laws. Finally, the bill addresses the procedures for union representation elections, provides employees with the ability to vote in such elections remotely by telephone or the internet, modifies the protections against unfair labor practices that result in serious economic harm, and establishes penalties and permits injunctive relief against entities that fail to comply with National Labor Relations Board orders.

US SB96

Justice for Black Farmers Act of 2023

US SB2043

Department of State Authorization Act of 2023

US SB269

Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticides Act