MI HB4656

Requires public institutions of higher education in Michigan to develop and adopt a comprehensive free expression policy affirming the institution's commitment to intellectual freedom, free speech, and free assembly consistent with the First Amendment.

Mandates the free expression policy contain specific provisions assuring students and faculty can discuss any topic within First Amendment limits, assemble and engage in expressive activity unless unlawful or materially disruptive, and that anyone lawfully on campus may protest or demonstrate.

Requires policies guarantee campus areas function as traditional public forums open to any speaker, that belief-based student organizations receive equal benefits and cannot be discriminated against based on their expressive activities or membership requirements, and that the institution remain neutral on public policy controversies.

Mandates institutions include free expression policies in freshman orientation, handbooks, and websites, and develop training materials and procedures to ensure administrators, campus police, residence life officials, and professors understand the free expression requirements.

Clarifies the act does not prevent institutions from restricting expressive activity in ways permitted by the First Amendment and Michigan Constitution, including prohibiting unlawful activity or speech that materially and substantially disrupts institutional functioning.