Under this act, the freedom of the press in school-sponsored media shall be protected. A student journalist shall have the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press in school-sponsored media, and material shall not be suppressed solely because it involves political or controversial subject matter.

The number, length, frequency, and format of school-sponsored media may be regulated by school districts and student-media advisors. A school district may restrict such media if it determines that the media is libelous or slanderous, violates federal or state law, is a threat of violence, or in other circumstances set forth in the act.

School districts are required to adopt a written policy regarding the freedom of the press and expression by students. Such policy must include reasonable provisions for the time, place, and manner of student expression, and may include limitations on language that may be vulgar, obscene, offensively lewd, profane, harassing, threatening, or intimidating.

This act is identical to HB 1940 (2018) and is substantially similar to HCS/HB 576 (2019).

JOSIE BUTLER