relative to freedom of speech and association at public institutions of higher education.
This bill establishes new state laws to protect freedom of speech and association at public colleges and universities in New Hampshire. It designates outdoor campus areas as public forums where students and staff can engage in peaceful expression without being forced into designated "free speech zones." The legislation prohibits institutions from discriminating against student groups based on their religious, political, or ideological views and defines specific limits on when speech can be restricted, such as during unlawful fights or harassment. Additionally, the bill creates a legal remedy allowing individuals or groups to sue schools for violations, with a monetary cap on damages adjusted annually for inflation.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2023
Committee Review
Apr 2024
House Passage
Mar 2024
Senate Passage
Apr 2024
Signed into Law
Jul 2024
Introduced Dec 6, 2023
Signed Jul 26, 2024
Floor votes · House May 30, 2024
How they voted
197–159
Passed · 33 other
Total votes 389
May 30, 2024
D
Democratic193
81% Nay
I
Independent2
50% Yea
R
Republican194
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Amendments
4
Jul 26, 2024
Signed into law
Signed by Governor Sununu 07/19/2024; Chapter 232; eff. 08/01/2025
lower
May 30, 2024
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (197-159-33)
house
May 30, 2024
Introduced
House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2024-1629s (Rep. Ladd): MA RC 201-160 05/30/2024 HJ 15 P. 12
lower
Apr 26, 2024
Upper · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1623s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/02/2024; SJ 11
upper
Apr 26, 2024
Upper · Passed
Committee Amendment # 2024-1623s, AA, VV; 05/02/2024; SJ 11
upper
Apr 24, 2024
Upper · Passed
Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2024-1623s, 05/02/2024; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
upper
Mar 26, 2024
Introduced
Introduced 03/21/2024 and Referred to Education; SJ 8
upper
Mar 14, 2024
Lower · Passed
Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-0654h and 2024-1094h: MA RC 206-169 03/14/2024 HJ 8 P. 26
lower
Mar 14, 2024
Introduced
Amendment # 2024-0654h: AA DV 192-182 03/14/2024 HJ 8 P. 24
lower
Mar 14, 2024
Introduced
Reconsider Amendment 2024-0654h (Rep. Osborne): MA RC 189-183 03/14/2024 HJ 8 P. 22
lower
Mar 14, 2024
Introduced
Amendment # 2024-0654h: AF DV 181-182 03/14/2024 HJ 8 P. 21
lower
Feb 29, 2024
Lower · Passed
Committee Report: Without Recommendation 02/20/2024 (Vote 10-10; RC)
lower
Feb 5, 2024
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Work Session: 02/01/2024 01:00 pm LOB 205-207
lower
Dec 6, 2023
Introduced
Introduced 01/03/2024 and referred to Education HJ 1 P. 15
lower
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Daniel Popovici-Muller
RRepublican
Co
Bob Lynn
RRepublican
Co
Ellen Read
DDemocratic
Co
Glen Cordelli
RRepublican
Co
Joe Alexander
RRepublican
Co
Jonah Wheeler
DDemocratic
Co
Keith Murphy
RRepublican
Co
Len Turcotte
RRepublican
Co
Regina Birdsell
RRepublican
Co
Tim Lang
RRepublican
Co
Valerie McDonnell
RRepublican
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