HB 1329 Summary

• Creates a new chapter in North Dakota Century Code establishing free speech protections at state institutions of higher education that apply to all students

• Requires the state board of higher education to adopt a policy confirming free speech as a fundamental right and guaranteeing students broad latitude to speak on any campus issue, with limited exceptions for violations of law, defamation, true threats, peer harassment, privacy violations, and reasonable content-neutral time/place/manner restrictions

• Mandates inclusion of a student bill of rights protecting freedom of inquiry, thought, and expression, and prohibiting non-academic punishment for lawful speech content even if it disagrees with accepted knowledge or community views

• Allows peaceful assembly and expression in public forums while permitting institutions to require prior permission from non-enrolled individuals using content-neutral criteria, and allows restrictions only if activity substantially disrupts essential institutional functions like building entrances or classes

• Requires institutions to notify all students, faculty, and employees of free speech protections within seven days of each fall semester, and allows students to file for injunctions and recover actual damages, attorney's fees, and court costs if institutions violate the chapter