A quick scan of the table below reveals a largely unsuccessful campaign to pass legislation in 2005-06 to support a student "academic bill of rights" campaign.
State |
Year |
Bill |
Description |
Status |
AZ |
2006 |
SB 1331 |
Relating to alternative coursework or materials. |
Defeated by the Senate 17-12 on March 9, 2006 |
| CA |
2006 |
S 1412 |
To develop guidelines and implement specified principles, relating to academic freedom, of a Student Bill of Rights. Also would require the audio taping of all meetings pertaining to faculty hiring, promotion, and tenure. |
Bill scheduled for a hearing April 19, 2006, but withdrawn at request of sponsor. Not heard. |
| 2005 |
S. 5 |
To develop guidelines and implement specified principles, relating to academic freedom, of a Student Bill of Rights.
|
Failed in committee on April 20, 2005 |
| FL |
2005 |
HB 837
/SB 2126 |
An act relating to student and faculty academic freedom in public postsecondary education. |
House bill died on the House Calendar on May 6, 2005. Senate bill died in committee. |
| HI |
2006 |
SB 2849 |
Establishes an Academic Bill of Rights applicable to all institutions of higher education in the State. |
Failed when Legislature Adjourned |
| IN |
2005 |
HR 1531 |
Requires public colleges and universities to develop guidelines and implement an academic bill of rights. |
Failed when Legislature Adjourned |
| KS |
2006 |
HCR 5035 |
Expressing the sense of the Kansas House of Representatives and Senate that colleges and universities should adopt an Academic Bill of Rights. |
House Appropriations Committee held hearing March 15, 2006. Resolution in Committee. |
| LA |
2005 |
HCR 25 |
Requests each public postsecondary education management board to take certain actions to assure that board and institutional policies, rules, and procedures meet specified guidelines relative to intellectual independence, academic freedom, intellectual diversity, and the pursuit of knowledge and truth. |
Failed when Legislature Adjourned. |
| ME |
2005 |
HB 823 |
Creates an Academic Bill of Rights that ensures an academic environment for both students and faculty members that allows freedom of political viewpoint, expression and instruction. |
Senate adopts Majority Committee Report: Ought not to pass on May 20, 2005 |
| MD |
2005 |
HB 964 |
Relating to an academic bill of rights for public institutions of higher education. |
Committee on Appropriations reported unfavorably on March 28, 2005. Failed when Legislature Adjourned. |
| MA |
2005 |
HB 1234 |
Provides for an Academic Bill of Rights for public institutions. |
Hearing held January 18, 2006. Pending. |
| MN |
2005 |
SB 1988/HB 2164 |
Enacts the Free Speech for Faculty and Students Bill of Rights. |
Introduced late in the session and did not make committee deadlines for 2005. Pending as carryover legislation. |
| NY |
2006 |
S. 6336 |
Creates an academic bill of rights for both students and faculty. |
Introduced Jan 9, 2006, referred to Committee on Higher Education. |
| AB 10098 |
Creating an academic bill of rights. |
Introduced February 28, 2006, referred to Committee on Education. |
| NC |
2005 |
SB 1139 |
Requires University of North Carolina System to adopt an "academic bill of rights". |
Failed when Legislature adjourned. |
| OH |
2005 |
SB 24 |
Establishes the academic bill of rights for higher education. |
Withdrawn by sponsor as a result of agreement with public institutions to review existing policy to ensure student protections. |
| PA |
2005 |
HR 177 |
Establishing a select committee to examine the academic atmosphere and the degree to which faculty have the opportunity to instruct and students have the opportunity to learn in an environment conducive to the pursuit of knowledge and truth at State-related and State-owned colleges and universities and community colleges in this Commonwealth. |
Passed by the Assembly on July 5, 2005. First meeting of Select Committee on September 19, 2005, with subsequent hearings held in November 2005, January , March 2006 and May-June 2006. Report approved November 21, 2006 concluding that “academic freedom violations are rare” and that legislation “was not necessary.” |
| RI |
2005 |
SB 392 |
Authorizes adoption of academic bill of rights at the state's institutions of higher education. |
Committee recommends measure to be held for further study. |
| SD |
2006 |
HB 1222 |
Requires public institutions to annually report to the Legislature regarding intellectual diversity. |
Defeated in Senate February 23, 2006. The bill had passed House February 8, 2006 |
| TN |
2005 |
HJR 96 |
Resolution urges adoption of Academic Bill of Rights for Public Higher Education. |
In subcommittee. Last Action March 2005 |
SB1117
/HB0432 |
Directs The Higher Education Council to develop and enforce statewide institutional grievance procedure based on academic bill of rights. Status. |
Bills in Senate/House committees. Last Action May 2005. |
| WA |
2005-06 |
HB 1991 |
Creating an academic bill of rights. |
Did not make committee deadlines for 2005, and reintroduced in 2006. Referred to Higher Education committee |
