The Forming Open and Robust University Minds (FORUM) Act

HB 3490, the FORUM Act, requires West Virginia's public universities to protect free expression by prohibiting content-based security fees for student groups or speakers and mandating clear, publicly posted policies on campus speech. It directs institutions to develop training for staff (including administrators and campus police) on First Amendment protections and to annually report speech-related disruptions or barriers to the Higher Education Policy Commission. The bill specifically bans fees tied to speech content, while allowing reasonable time/place/manner restrictions that don’t target specific viewpoints. These changes directly affect all state-funded universities in West Virginia and their students, faculty, and campus staff.