Bill > SB63

This bill, known as the New Voices Act, aims to strengthen free speech protections for student journalists in public high schools across Kentucky. It establishes that student journalists have the right to express themselves in school-sponsored media, which includes materials prepared and distributed by students under the guidance of a faculty advisor, regardless of school funding or class enrollment. However, these protections do not extend to speech that is libelous, slanderous, an invasion of privacy, obscene, violates federal law, reveals confidential information, or incites a clear and present danger of unlawful acts, policy violations, or substantial disruption to the school. The bill also prohibits prior restraint on student media unless it falls under these exceptions, and places the burden on school officials to justify any limitations. Furthermore, student media advisors are protected from retaliation for defending students' free expression rights. Local school boards will be required to create policies for time, place, and manner restrictions on media distribution and establish an appeals process for student journalists. Importantly, student speech in school-sponsored media will not be considered the official stance of the school, and students or their advisors can seek court orders to enforce these rights.

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/sb63.html