HF4083 Summary

• Student journalists in grades 6-12 have the right to freedom of speech and press in school-sponsored media, including the right to express political viewpoints and determine news, opinion, feature, and advertising content.

• Schools must not discipline student journalists or retaliate against student media advisers for exercising First Amendment rights, regardless of whether media receives school funding or uses school equipment.

• Schools cannot authorize prior restraint of school-sponsored media except for unprotected expression including defamatory, profane, harassing, threatening, or intimidating content; privacy invasions; illegal content; material disruptions; or incitement to lawless action.

• Schools cannot publish advertisements promoting products or services unlawful for minors to purchase or use, and student media advisers may teach professional journalism and English standards.

• School districts and charter schools must adopt and post a student journalist policy consistent with these provisions, effective for the 2024-2025 school year and later.