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Bill > HB1199

MS HB1199

MS HB1199
Charlie Kirk Campus Free Speech and Safety Act; create.

summary

Introduced
01/19/2026
In Committee
01/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Create The Charlie Kirk Campus Free Speech And Safety Act; To Define Certain Terms Relating To This Act; To Provide That The Outdoor Areas Of Campuses Of Public Institutions Of Higher Education In This State Shall Be Deemed Public Forums For The Campus Community; To Prohibit Public Institutions Of Higher Education From Creating Free Speech Zones Or Other Designated Areas Of Campus Outside Of Which Expressive Activities Are Prohibited; To Provide That Any Person Who Wishes To Engage In Noncommercial Expressive Activity On Campus Shall Be Permitted To Do So Freely, As Long As The Person's Conduct Is Not Unlawful And Does Not Materially And Substantially Disrupt The Functioning Of The Public Institution Of Higher Education; To Prohibit Public Institutions Of Higher Education From Denying A Religious, Political Or Ideological Student Organization Any Benefit Or Privilege Available To Any Other Student Organization; To Require Public Institutions Of Higher Education To Make Public In Their Handbooks, On Their Websites, And Through Their Orientation Programs For Students The Policies, Regulations, And Expectations Of Students Regarding Free Expression On Campus; To Require Each Public Institution Of Higher Education To Publicly Post On Their Website, As Well As Submit To Both The Governor And Legislature Thirty Days Prior To The Beginning Of The Regular Legislative Session, A Report Which Will Detail The Course Of Action Implemented To Be In Compliance With The Requirements Of This Act; To Authorize Any Person Or Student Association Aggrieved By A Violation Of This Act To Bring An Action Against The Public Institution Of Higher Education And Its Employees Acting In Their Official Capacities, Responsible For The Violation And Seek Appropriate Relief; To Provide That A Person Is Required To Bring Suit For Violation Of This Act Not Later Than One Year After The Day The Cause Of Action Accrues; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the Charlie Kirk Campus Free Speech and Safety Act, aims to protect free expression on public college and university campuses by declaring outdoor campus areas as public forums, prohibiting the creation of "free speech zones" that restrict expressive activities, and allowing any person to engage in noncommercial expressive activity as long as it's lawful and doesn't materially and substantially disrupt the institution's functioning. The act defines "materially and substantially disrupts" as significantly hindering another's expressive activity or preventing lawful meetings through unlawful behavior or specific disruptive tactics, while clarifying that protected First Amendment activities are not considered disruptive. It also prohibits public higher education institutions from denying religious, political, or ideological student organizations any benefits or privileges afforded to other student groups, and requires these institutions to publicly share their free expression policies and report on their compliance efforts to the Governor and Legislature. Furthermore, individuals or student associations harmed by a violation of this act can sue the institution and its employees for relief, with a one-year statute of limitations for filing such lawsuits, and the state waives its sovereign immunity for these cases.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)

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