SB 40 Summary

• Expands the "Forever Buckeye" program to grant in-state college tuition to individuals who receive a certificate of high school equivalence in Ohio while meeting residency requirements.

• Establishes the "Forming Open and Robust University Minds Act" (FORUM Act) to protect free speech rights on Ohio state college campuses by prohibiting institutions from restricting lawful noncommercial expressive activities unless they materially and substantially disrupt campus operations.

• Prohibits state institutions from charging security fees to students or student groups based on the content of their expression or the anticipated reaction to invited guest speakers.

• Designates outdoor campus areas as public forums and prohibits creation of "free speech zones" where expressive activities are prohibited, though institutions may enforce viewpoint-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions.

• Requires each state institution to submit reports within 180 days detailing barriers to free expression, incidents of disruption, speaker blockages, and any disciplinary actions taken; reports must be published on institutional websites and made publicly accessible.