Bill > HB2615

This bill, titled "Campuses; free speech zone; prohibition," aims to expand free speech rights on Arizona's public college and university campuses by prohibiting the creation of designated "free speech zones." Currently, existing law defines "public forum" as areas on campus where students can express themselves, and allows for restrictions on speech only if they serve a compelling government interest and are the least restrictive means to do so. This bill amends this law to state that a university or community college cannot limit any area on campus where free speech may be exercised, except for reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of that speech. It also clarifies that any restrictions must be reasonable, content-neutral, narrowly tailored to serve a significant governmental interest, and leave open ample alternative channels for communication. Furthermore, the bill allows students whose free speech rights are violated to seek court action to stop the violation and recover legal costs.