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A bill protecting the free speech rights of belief-based student organizations on university campuses recently became law in Missouri after Gov. Mike Kehoe signed it and several other education-focused bills July 9.
SB 160 mandates that public higher education institutions may not penalize or discriminate against student groups based on their religion, political affiliation, or ideology, ensuring that student groups have equal access to facilities, communication tools and opportunities, and funding.
The bill also protects student groups’ right to choose leaders who align with the groups’ beliefs, and promises judicial or administrative relief to student groups that are mistreated by their schools based on their practices and missions.
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a national Christian legal nonprofit, praised the state of Missouri and Kehoe for passing the law. ADF Senior Counsel Matt Sharp, director of the ADF Center for Public Policy, applauded the law’s part in upholding the role of higher education institutions.
“Universities should encourage freedom of speech and religion, not shut it down. That includes safeguarding the ability of belief-based student organizations to associate with those who align with the organization’s mission and purpose,” he stated in a news release.
He later added, “This critical legislation ensures that student groups at public universities can freely choose leaders who further their mission without fear of discrimination.”
According to Sharp, 19 other states have passed similar legislation that protects student groups’ rights.
