Bill > HB06199

This bill aims to protect and expand free speech rights for students in Connecticut's public schools, colleges, and universities by explicitly guaranteeing their ability to express religious or political viewpoints without facing discrimination or penalties. The legislation establishes that students can freely exercise freedom of speech and assembly, with limitations only in specific circumstances where the expression could be considered obscene for minors, libelous, slanderous, or likely to incite unlawful acts or substantial disruption of school operations. The bill effectively creates a legal framework that shields student expression from potential institutional censorship, while maintaining reasonable restrictions to ensure school safety and order. By codifying these protections into titles 10 and 10a of the state's general statutes, the legislation seeks to uphold First Amendment principles within educational settings and ensure that students can voice their opinions without fear of punishment, so long as their speech does not create a clear and present danger to the school environment.

Education

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB06199&which_year=2025