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Bill > SB2608

MS SB2608

MS SB2608
Charlie Kirk Campus Free Speech and Safety Act; enact.

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 Enact The "charlie Kirk Campus Free Speech And Safety Act"; To Define Terms; To Provide Expressive Activities Under This Act; To Create Exceptions; To Provide That Outdoor Areas Of Campuses Shall Be Deemed Public Forums; To Provide For Acceptable Restrictions Set By Institutions And Colleges; To Stipulate That Any Person Who Wishes To Engage In Noncommercial Expressive Activity On Campus Shall Be Permitted To Do So Freely As Long As It Is Not Unlawful And Does Not Substantially Disrupt The Function Of The Institution Or College; To Provide For Acceptable Restrictions; To Authorize Institutions And Colleges To Prevent Expression That The First Amendment Does Not Protect; To Authorize Freedom Of Association; To Prohibit Discrimination; To Require Institutions And Colleges To Make Their Policies, Regulations And Expectations For Students Regarding Free Speech Public In Their Handbooks, On Their Websites And In Their Orientation Programs; To Require Institutions And Colleges To Develop Materials, Programs And Procedures To Ensure Compliance; To Require Institutions And Colleges To Publicly Post On Their Website A Report Outlining Certain Policies Required By This Act; To Stipulate The Content Of The Report; To Provide Remedies For Violations Of This Act; To Establish A Statute Of Limitations For One Year; To Provide That The State Waives Immunity Under The Eleventh Amendment Of The United States Constitution And Consents To Suit In Federal Court; To Provide That Institutions And Colleges Are Not Immune From Suit Or Liability For Violations; To Establish Severability; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the "Charlie Kirk Campus Free Speech and Safety Act," aims to protect and define free speech on public college and university campuses in Mississippi. It establishes that outdoor campus areas are public forums where individuals can engage in noncommercial expressive activities, such as protests, speeches, and distributing literature, as long as their actions are lawful and do not "materially and substantially disrupt" the institution's functioning, meaning they don't significantly hinder others' expression or the institution's operations through unlawful behavior or threats. The act clarifies that institutions can restrict expression not protected by the First Amendment, such as obscenity, child pornography, or harassment, which is defined as unwelcome expression that is so severe and pervasive it denies students equal access to educational opportunities. It also prohibits colleges from discriminating against religious, political, or ideological student organizations based on their beliefs or requiring leaders to affirm those beliefs. Institutions must publicly disclose their free speech policies and provide training to staff, and annually report on their compliance and any disruptions to free expression, with a one-year statute of limitations for violations and a waiver of state immunity to allow lawsuits in federal court.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)

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