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HB4304 - 104th General Assembly
HIGHER ED STUDENT BILL OF RTS
Last Action
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
New Act
Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Higher Education Student Bill of Rights Act. Provides that a student attending a postsecondary education institution in the State is entitled to the following rights: the right to an inclusive and safe learning environment; the right to equal access; the right to safety and respect; the right to accessibility; the right to free expression; the right to organize; the right to peaceful protest; the right to academic transparency; the right to fair evaluation; the right to educational records; the right to educational programs safeguarded from political interference; the right to career preparation; the right to educational quality; the right to due process; the right to representation; the right to institutional accountability; the right to financial transparency; the right to fair lending and borrowing practices; the right to timely refunds and withdrawals; and the right to transfer.
House Floor Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Higher Education Student Support and Academic Freedom Act. Provides that public institutions of higher education shall strive to foster an environment that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on any protected characteristic under applicable law, to maintain clear, content-neutral conduct standards and reporting channels designed to address unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and retaliation, and to have clear policies describing how students with disabilities can request and receive reasonable accommodations to enable equal academic and campus participation. Prohibits public institutions of higher education from unlawfully infringing on students' constitutional rights to free speech, press, assembly, and petition. Provides that public institutions of higher education shall have the ability to allow students to form and join associations and to allow students to engage in lawful, peaceful protest. Provides that public institutions of higher education shall strive to publish clear, accurate, and timely information regarding courses, degree pathways, credit evaluation and transferability, and graduation criteria and to assess academic performance based on demonstrated learning and achievement and pursuant to published standards. Provides that students have the right to inspect, review, and request corrections to higher educational records. Provides that public institutions of higher education shall have the ability to ensure academic programs are guided by professional and disciplinary standards and academic integrity. Provides that public institutions of higher education shall strive to provide students with information and opportunities in pertinent academic programs that promote workforce-relevant skills, career exploration, and stackable or recognized credentials of value, to provide independently accredited education that integrates broad learning, cultivates transferable skills, and prepares students for engaged citizenship, to provide students with a fair disciplinary process appropriate to the nature of the applicable disciplinary charge, to follow published policies and provide internal appeal routes for adverse educational actions as appropriate or required by applicable law, and to clearly disclose tuition, fees, and applicable, material financial obligations prior to and during enrollment. Provides that public institutions of higher education shall have the ability to publish transparent policies on tuition refunds, withdrawals, and cancellations and shall strive to provide a timely, transparent, and consistent evaluation of transfer credits using published criteria. Sets forth provisions concerning construction of the Act.
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1/06/2026 | House | Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Katie Stuart |
| 1/14/2026 | House | First Reading |
| 1/14/2026 | House | Referred to Rules Committee |
| 2/11/2026 | House | Assigned to Higher Education Committee |
| 2/25/2026 | House | Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung |
| 3/19/2026 | House | Do Pass / Short Debate Higher Education Committee; 007-004-000 |
| 3/20/2026 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate |
| 3/27/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Katie Stuart |
| 3/27/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee |
| 4/07/2026 | House | Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch |
| 4/07/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Higher Education Committee |
| 4/08/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Higher Education Committee; 009-000-000 |
| 4/10/2026 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate |
| 4/10/2026 | House | Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate |
| 4/14/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted |
| 4/14/2026 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate |
| 4/14/2026 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 072-037-000 |
| 4/15/2026 | Senate | Arrive in Senate |
| 4/15/2026 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading April 16, 2026 |