• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Thursday, July 24, 2025
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home State Government

Iowa Senate Unanimously Passes Campus Free Speech Bill

The Iowa Senate passed an amended version of HF 744, a bill to protect free speech on public school, community college, and Regent university campuses.

Shane Vander HartbyShane Vander Hart
April 9, 2021
in Education, State Government
Reading Time: 2 mins read

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Senate passed an amended version of HF 744, a bill to protect free speech in schools, by a 46 to 0 vote on Tuesday. The bill passed in the Iowa House of Representatives by a 97 to 1 vote on March 16.  

RELATED POSTS

Reynolds signs bill enacting flat tax in 2025

Reynolds joins bipartisan opposition to Biden Administration’s Space Force proposal

Iowa lawmakers enact flat tax for 2025

HF 744 provides additional free speech protections for students and staff in K-12 schools and college campuses. It prohibits faculty and staff from intentionally violating the free speech of students and allows disciplinary measures if violations occur. And, it requires free speech training at all Regent universities for students and faculty.

State Senator Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, the bill manager, said the bill included language similar to SF 478 that the Iowa Senate passed 33 to 14 on March 8. That particular bill also prohibited racial and sex stereotyping in diversity training, language that the Iowa House passed in a separate bill on March 16. That bill, HF 802, passed out of the Iowa Senate Education Committee on March 30. 

She introduced an amendment that passed via voice vote some elements to the bill Sinclair said existed in SF 478 but that the Iowa House omitted from their version of the bill. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Sinclair explained that the amendment adds language that limits a student government’s authority over funds if it violates the First Amendment rights of a member of the campus community. The amendment also codifies the three-member nonpartisan free speech committee that the Iowa Board of Regents developed. The amendment also authorizes the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners to deny or revoke a license if a licensee has discriminated against a student. The amendment also adds language protecting school employees and officials from retaliation for protecting the First Amendment rights of students publishing a school newspaper. 

There was no discussion about the amendment, and it was passed by a voice vote. There wasn’t any debate over the bill when it passed unanimously. The amended bill goes back to the Iowa House for its consideration.

Tags: 2021 Iowa Legislative Session89th General AssemblyAmy Sinclaircampus free speechfree speechIowa Senate
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Marks 100th Anniversary

Next Post

Iowa State Trooper Killed During Grundy Center Standoff

Shane Vander Hart

Shane Vander Hart

Shane Vander Hart is the editor of The Iowa Torch.

Related Posts

State Government

Reynolds signs bill eliminating gender balance requirement for appointed commissions and boards

April 5, 2024
State Government

Iowa Senate approves constitutional amendment creating a flat income tax

April 4, 2024
Iowa Senate confirms McKenzie Snow as Education Director
State Government

Iowa Senate confirms McKenzie Snow as Education Director

April 3, 2024
Education

Iowa House sends changed AEA reform bill back to Iowa Senate

March 25, 2024
State Government

Iowa Senate advances flat tax constitutional amendment

March 21, 2024
State Government

Iowa Senate passes amended AEA bill

March 19, 2024
Next Post
Iowa State Trooper Killed During Grundy Center Standoff

Iowa State Trooper Killed During Grundy Center Standoff

Reynolds Appoints Two Judges to District Court Bench

Iowa Supreme Court Assigns Two Business Specialty Court Judges

Recommended Articles

Ernst Visits Madison County Craft Beer Brewery

Ernst Visits Madison County Craft Beer Brewery

April 6, 2021
a person writing on white paper using pencil

Iowa fares better as nation sees NAEP math and reading scores drop

October 25, 2022
Grassley: Big Victories for Rural Healthcare

Grassley: DOJ Should Not Tell Parents to Watch Their Speech

October 19, 2021

Popular Stories

  • Hinson Says PRO Act Will Kill Jobs, Expresses Concern About COVID-19 Relief Bill

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • A Look at the Iowa 3rd Congressional District Race Heading Into 2022

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reynolds Appoints Adam Steen to Lead Department of Administrative Services

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Attorney General’s Office Approves Law Enforcement Use of Deadly Force in Lang Stand-Off

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Axne, Hinson ask National Weather Service to fix system failures following severe storms

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Current Events
  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government

Newsletter

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.