House Committee Begins Hearings on Bill to Protect Speech in Higher Education Institutions

COLUMBUS – House Higher Education Committee yesterday began hearings on House Bill 394, legislation to protect speech in Ohio’s public higher education institutions, announced bill sponsor, State Rep. Adam Holmes (R-Nashport).

House Bill 394 aims to protect students and staff from obligatory political action or belief inside public higher education institutions by implementing the following:

• Prohibits public higher education institutions from requiring employees, students, or job applicants to support specific ideologies or political movements;
• Provides specific protection for general discussion of political movements, ideologies, and social action inside the classroom;
• Ensures specific protection for free speech rights of public higher education employees, students, and job applicants; and
• Allows for public access to all higher education policy and instructional materials concerning political movements, ideology, or social action.

“To remain consistent with fundamental American values and the purpose of higher education, Ohio’s higher education institutions must be forums for open expression, new ideas, and diverse opinions and experiences,” said Holmes during his sponsor testimony.

House Bill 394 awaits further consideration by the House Higher Education Committee.