DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Senate on Wednesday passed HF 744, a bill that protects free speech on public school, community college, and Regent university campuses for a second time by a 48 to 0 vote.
The Iowa House first passed the bill in March 96 to 1, and then the Iowa Senate passed an amended version of the bill in early April. The Iowa House passed the bill 92 to 1 again last week with an amendment, with which the Senate concurred, so the bill heads to Gov. Kim Reynolds for her signature.
HF 744 provides additional free speech protections for students and staff in K-12 schools and college campuses. It prohibits faculty and staff from “knowingly and intentionally” violating students’ free speech rights and allows disciplinary measures, up to and including termination, if violations occur. And, it requires free speech training at all Regent universities for students and faculty.
The bill also authorizes the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners to deny or revoke a license if a licensee has discriminated against a student. It also prohibits community colleges and Regents universities from retaliating against a campus community member who files a complaint about a violation of Iowa’s campus free speech law.
State Senator Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, re-introduced the bill and explained the House amendment. There was no further discussion before the Senate voted.
Read the bill below:
HF744
