Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025

4/11/2025, 3:17 PM

Summary of Bill S 1225

The "Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025" (Bill 119 S 1225) is a proposed law aimed at protecting students' rights to freely associate with others on college and university campuses. Here is a breakdown of its key points:

1. **Purpose**: The bill seeks to ensure that students at higher education institutions can join or form groups without facing discrimination based on their viewpoints or beliefs. This includes political, religious, and ideological associations.

2. **Non-discrimination**: Colleges and universities would be prohibited from denying recognition, benefits, or privileges to student organizations based on the organization's viewpoints. This means that as long as the group's activities are legal, they should have the same opportunities as other student groups. 3. **Funding and Resources**: The bill ensures that student organizations have equal access to campus facilities and resources, such as funding or meeting spaces, regardless of their beliefs or purposes. 4. **Free Speech**: The act emphasizes the importance of free speech rights, ensuring that students can express themselves without fear of repercussion, as long as their expressions do not incite violence or harm. 5. **Legal Recourse**: If a student group feels that their rights under this act have been violated by an administration, they can take legal action. The bill outlines a process for complaints and potential court cases to address grievances. 6. **Effects on Institutions**: Colleges and universities failing to comply with the act could face penalties, including potential loss of federal funding, which encourages adherence to the rules set forth in the bill. In essence, the "Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025" is designed to promote fairness and equal treatment for all student groups, regardless of their beliefs, ensuring a diverse and open environment for discussions and associations on campus.

Current Status of Bill S 1225

Bill S 1225 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since April 1, 2025. Bill S 1225 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on April 1, 2025.  Bill S 1225's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. as of April 1, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 1225

Total Number of Sponsors
4
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
4
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
1
Democrat Cosponsors
1
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 1225

Primary Policy Focus

Education

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 1225

A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for certain freedom of association protections, and for other purposes.A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for certain freedom of association protections, and for other purposes.
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