VT H0615

Requires the Agency of Education to develop guidance and training for school districts to distinguish between protected political expression and unlawful harassment of protected classes, including evaluating speech context, intent, and the risk of chilling student expression.

Expands the Harassment, Hazing, and Bullying Prevention Advisory Council to include a civil liberties expert, Jewish and Palestinian community leaders, a K-12 educator, a K-12 administrator, and a legal scholar with First Amendment expertise.

Mandates development of a freedom of expression curriculum for public elementary and secondary schools covering First Amendment protections and Vermont Constitution Article 13, enabling students to distinguish between political advocacy and bias-based harassment.

Requires the Agency of Education to complete the curriculum by January 1, 2027, with supervisory unions implementing instruction beginning in the 2027–2028 school year.

Effective date is July 1, 2026.