Bill > S0172

This bill aims to protect free expression rights on public higher education campuses in South Carolina by establishing the "Campus Free Expression Act". The bill defines publicly accessible outdoor areas of these campuses as traditional public forums and ensures that students and groups can engage in expressive activities like peaceful assembly, protests, speeches, literature distribution, and sign-carrying without undue restrictions. Public institutions can only impose reasonable, content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions that further significant institutional interests and provide alternative means of expression. The bill prohibits colleges from creating "free speech zones" or restricting expressive activities to specific areas. Institutions may charge security fees for events requiring permits, but these fees must be determined using neutral criteria like event size and location, not content. If a person's expressive rights are violated, they can sue the institution in state or federal court and potentially recover damages up to $100,000, with a minimum of $500 for an initial violation and $50 for each subsequent day the violation continues. The bill also specifies that lawful protests, counter-protests, and minor, brief disruptions are protected, and actions must be brought within one year of the violation occurring.

Education

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0172&session=126&summary=B