Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2022

Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2022

This bill addresses freedom of association protections for college students in single-sex social organizations.

Specifically, the bill gives students (or groups of students) enrolled at institutions of higher education (IHEs) the right to form or join social organizations, including single-sex social organizations.

Additionally, the bill prohibits IHEs that participate in federal student-aid programs from

• taking adverse actions against single-sex social organizations or students who are members or prospective members of such organizations based solely on the practice of limiting membership to only individuals of one sex;
• taking actions that require or coerce members or prospective members of such organizations to waive protections provided under the bill, including as a condition of enrolling in the IHE; or
• imposing a recruitment restriction on a single-sex social organization that is not imposed upon other student organizations, unless the organization and IHE have entered into a written agreement allowing the restriction.

Bill 117 HR 7488, also known as the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2022, aims to protect the rights of students and faculty members to freely associate with organizations of their choosing on college and university campuses. The bill seeks to prevent discrimination against individuals based on their membership in a particular group or organization.

The legislation prohibits institutions of higher education from denying recognition or funding to student organizations based on their beliefs, values, or viewpoints. It also prohibits colleges and universities from taking adverse actions against faculty members based on their associations with certain organizations.

Additionally, the bill requires institutions of higher education to establish policies and procedures to protect the freedom of association rights of students and faculty members. These policies must be made publicly available and easily accessible to the campus community. Overall, the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2022 aims to promote diversity of thought and protect the rights of individuals to freely associate with organizations of their choosing on college and university campuses.