NY A03942

Requires all New York colleges chartered by the Regents or incorporated by the legislature to adopt written free speech policies prohibiting disciplinary sanctions for student speech that would be protected by the First Amendment outside campus

Exempts private religious institutions from the requirements to the extent compliance would conflict with their religious tenets

Preserves colleges' ability to discipline students for harassment, threats, or intimidation that is not constitutionally protected, and to adopt anti-hate policies that conform to First Amendment standards

Creates a private right of action allowing students whose expressive rights are violated to sue for injunctive relief, compensatory damages, court costs, and attorneys' fees

Takes effect immediately upon passage