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Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025

4/23/2025, 1:32 PM

Summary of Bill HR 2555

Bill 119 HR 2555, also known as the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act, aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include protections for freedom of association on college campuses. The bill seeks to ensure that students have the right to join and participate in student organizations without fear of discrimination or retaliation.

Specifically, the bill prohibits colleges and universities that receive federal funding from denying recognition or funding to student organizations based on their beliefs, practices, or policies. It also prohibits these institutions from taking adverse actions against students or organizations based on their associations or affiliations.

Additionally, the bill requires colleges and universities to adopt policies that protect the freedom of association rights of students and student organizations. These policies must be made publicly available and include procedures for addressing complaints of discrimination or retaliation. Overall, the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act aims to protect the rights of students to freely associate and participate in student organizations on college campuses. It seeks to promote diversity of thought and expression while ensuring that all students are able to engage in campus life without fear of discrimination or censorship.

Congressional Summary of HR 2555

Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025

This bill establishes 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.

Current Status of Bill HR 2555

Bill HR 2555 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since April 1, 2025. Bill HR 2555 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on April 1, 2025.  Bill HR 2555's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. as of April 1, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 2555

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
5
Democrat Cosponsors
2
Republican Cosponsors
3
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 2555

Primary Policy Focus

Education

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 2555

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

Comments

Mohammad Gould profile image

Mohammad Gould

740

1 year ago

I think this bill is great because it gives us more freedom to associate with who we want. It's important to have the right to choose our own groups and not be forced into anything. This bill will definitely make a positive impact on my life and I fully support it.

Otto Ho profile image

Otto Ho

780

1 year ago

I think this bill is a good idea. It will help protect our freedom of association rights, which is important. I hope it passes soon.

Apollo Hobbs profile image

Apollo Hobbs

796

1 year ago

This bill is so dumb, it's gonna mess everything up for me and my friends in college. Why they gotta do this to us? It's gonna make things harder for us to hang out and do stuff together. I don't like it at all. Short term, this bill is gonna cause a lot of problems for us students.