The proposed legislation establishes a School of Intellectual Freedom as an independent academic unit within the University of Iowa, specifically located in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The school is tasked with conducting teaching and research focused on the historical ideas, traditions, and texts that have shaped the American constitutional order and society. It will offer instruction on subjects related to the intellectual foundations of free societies, principles of the American constitutional order, and responsible leadership, while also promoting values of free speech and civil discourse. The school is authorized to develop various academic programs, including courses, certificates, and degrees.

Additionally, the bill outlines the governance structure of the school, requiring the establishment of bylaws that emphasize free inquiry, intellectual diversity, and civil discourse. It mandates the employment of at least five tenure-eligible faculty members and the formation of an academic council to assist in selecting a dean, who will have significant authority over faculty recruitment, curriculum development, and guest speaker invitations. The dean will report directly to the university president and is required to submit an annual report detailing the school's achievements and challenges. The school may also accept private donations, which must be used solely for its direct operations.