House Sponsors: COWLISHAW-CURRIE-ERWIN. Senate Sponsors: PARKER-BERMAN-GEO-KARIS Short description: SCH CD-FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the School Code. Gives public school students the right to exercise freedom of speech and freedom of the press through publication and distribution of expression in publications that are school sponsored, whether or not the publications are supported financially by the school, by the use of school facilities, or are produced in conjunction with a class. Limits certain types of expression such as expression that incites students to imminent lawless action. Makes student editors of school-sponsored publications responsible for determining the content of the publications subject to prescribed limitations and standards. Requires school boards to adopt a freedom of expression policy. Protects school districts and officials that have not interfered with or altered the content of student expression from civil or criminal liability for expressions made or published by students. Authorizes actions for injunctive or declaratory relief to enforce freedom of expression rights. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Provides that public high school students have the right to exercise freedom of the press and that expressions contained in a high school newspaper are not subject to prior restraint except for expressions that are libelous, obscene, or harmful to minors, constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, or incite students to imminent lawless action. Provides that the governing board of a school district that publishes a high school newspaper shall adopt a student freedom of expression policy. Adds provisions relative to the responsibility of student editors of high school newspapers and of journalism advisors. Authorizes injunctive or declaratory relief actions to enforce rights provided by the amendatory Act, provides that school districts are not required to have a student newspaper and are not prohibited from adopting otherwise valid rules relating to certain oral or other written student materials, and adds a severability clause. FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 1 (State Board of Education) There should not be an increased fiscal burden for districts. STATE MANDATES FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 1 (SBE) No change from SBE fiscal note. Last action on Bill: TOTAL VETO STANDS Last action date: 97-11-14 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status