STATEHOUSE (April 7, 2022) – A new law supported by State Reps. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) and Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper) protects free speech at public colleges and universities throughout Indiana.
Lindauer said the new law, signed by the governor in mid-March and unanimously supported by legislators, prevents free speech zones from popping up on college campuses. These zones are established by administrators and confine free speech to designated areas where students are then allowed to speak, protest or advocate for a cause. He said these regulated and sectioned areas are often in remote locations, and infringe on the First Amendment right protecting speech in public areas.
"Our constitutional rights always need to be protected, and limiting college students' ability to express themselves to 'free speech zones' erodes our First Amendment," Lindauer said. "This law adds additional protections to ensure that students can freely express their opinions."
Bartels said this legislation also prevents colleges from discriminating against and denying benefits to student groups on the basis of religion, political affiliation or ideology, and sets clear guidelines for Indiana colleges and universities to ensure free speech is permitted.
"Institutions of learning should not make it difficult for people to exercise their constitutional right to free speech," Bartels said. "Everyone deserves to be able to express themselves, no matter where they stand on an issue."
Bartels said this law is an important step in providing clear guidance to higher education institutions in Indiana.
For more information, visit iga.in.gov.
