HB 3490
The Forming Open and Robust University Minds (FORUM) Act
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- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
The Forming Open and Robust University Minds (FORUM) Act aims to protect free expression on West Virginia’s college and university campuses. It prohibits universities from charging fees based on the content of speech and requires them to clearly communicate their policies regarding free expression to students and staff. The bill also mandates that universities report any barriers or incidents that disrupt free expression to the Higher Education Policy Commission.
Key provisions
- Prohibits universities from charging security fees based on the content of student or group expression.
- Requires universities to publicly post and distribute information about their free expression policies.
- Mandates the development and distribution of educational materials to university staff regarding free expression.
- Requires universities to report incidents of disruption to free expression to the Higher Education Policy Commission.
- Allows universities to impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on expression, provided they are content-neutral and narrowly tailored.
- Defines permissible restrictions on expression, excluding true threats, incitement to violence, harassment, and sexual harassment.
Who is affected
- Students
- University Staff (administrators, campus police, residence life, professors, teaching faculty)
- State Institutions of Higher Education
- The Higher Education Policy Commission
- The Council for Community and Technical College Education
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