Sponsors (3)
Ask me what this bill is really trying to do.
This is not an official government website.
Copyright © 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Creates a national “Students Bill of Rights” for public colleges that receive federal higher‑education funds. It requires schools to use fair, viewpoint‑neutral rules for recognizing student groups, distributing student‑activity funds, setting security fees, and hosting invited speakers. Students and student organizations get clear enforcement tools, including the ability to sue for violations and seek damages. The Department of Education oversees compliance and reports to Congress, and a school’s participation in federal student aid is tied to following these rules.
Insert a new section 112A titled “Students Bill of Rights” into the Higher Education Act of 1965 to protect speech and association at covered public institutions that receive funds under the Act.
Recognized student organizations: an institution may not deny recognition solely because the organization cannot obtain a faculty advisor; institution policies must not require faculty/staff to serve as advisor, or if such a requirement exists, the institution must provide an alternative (e.g., waiver or assignment).
Recognized student organizations: an institution may not deny recognition solely because the organization is affiliated with or is a chapter of a national or other organization.
Recognized student organizations: institutions must provide an appeals process for denial of recognition that allows appeal to an institutional appellate entity that did not participate in the prior proceeding.
Distribution of mandatory student-activity fee funds: institutions that collect a mandatory student activities fee and distribute those funds to recognized student organizations must (A) establish and publish clear, objective, content- and viewpoint-neutral, exhaustive standards to determine the total funds available and the allocations to individual organizations, and (B) make allocations according to those standards.
Inserts a new section 112A (Students Bill of Rights) into the Higher Education Act of 1965 after section 112, establishing obligations for covered public institutions (recognized student organization rules, allocation and appeals for student fees, security fee standards, protections for invited speakers), enforcement mechanisms (civil cause of action, remedies, notification and reporting requirements, revocation and restoration of eligibility), reporting to Congress, and definitions.
Adds a new paragraph (30) to subsection (a) requiring that institutions that are 'covered public institutions' under section 112A comply with the requirements of section 112A as a term of their program participation agreement.
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced March 11, 2025 by Erin Houchin · Last progress March 11, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced in House