Bill > H0364

This bill adds a new chapter to existing Idaho law to establish the Protecting Critical Thinking in Higher Education Act. The key provisions of the bill are: - It declares the outdoor areas of public higher education campuses in Idaho as public forums, prohibiting the creation of "free speech zones" and allowing for reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on expressive activities. - It requires public institutions of higher education to make their policies on free expression publicly available and provide education to the campus community on these policies. - It allows individuals or student organizations to bring lawsuits against public institutions for violations of the Act, with a minimum award of $5,000 if a violation is found. - It establishes a one-year statute of limitations for filing such lawsuits. - It states that public institutions of higher education are not immune from suit or liability for violations of the Act. The bill aims to protect the free speech rights of students, faculty, and staff at public colleges and universities in Idaho.

Education, Justice

Ways and Means Committee (House)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2021/legislation/H0364/