MO SB1172

Student journalists at public high schools and public higher education institutions gain protected rights to freedom of speech and press in school-sponsored media, with content not subject to suppression solely for covering political or controversial topics.

Prior restraint of school-sponsored media is prohibited except for specific categories: libelous/slanderous content, privacy violations, federal/state law violations, threats of violence, illegal product advertising, rights violations, or content likely to incite unlawful acts or substantially disrupt school operations.

Student-media advisors receive employment protections and cannot be disciplined, terminated, transferred, or retaliated against for refusing to infringe on student journalists' freedom of expression rights.

School districts and higher education institutions are shielded from civil or criminal liability for student publications unless they actively participated in or knew of and failed to prevent problematic conduct.

Public school districts must adopt written policies on student press freedom that include reasonable time, place, and manner provisions and may include limitations on vulgar, obscene, harassing, threatening, or intimidating language.