SB 160 - This act prohibits public institutions of higher learning, such as state colleges, community colleges, and technical schools, from taking adverse action against a student association because of the association's beliefs or the actions of its leaders. Specifically, these institutions shall not deny a belief-based student association, such as a political, ideological, or religious association, any benefits that are available to other student groups, including access to campus facilities and communication channels. A belief-based student association shall be responsible for defining its own mission, beliefs, and conduct standards. A belief-based student association may seek relief in a judicial or administrative proceeding against an institution that violates the provisions of the act.

This act is identical to HB 1518 (2024) and HB 136 (2023) and is similar to HB 1724 (2022), SB 332 (2021), SB 761 (2020), HB 1926 (2020), SB 314 (2019), HB 837 (2019), HB 2074 (2018), and provisions in SB 1022 (2018).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Statutes affected:
Introduced (1382S.01): 173.1555, 173.1556

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Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 160
Sponsor: Hudson
Hearing Date: 2/11/2025


COMMITTEE: Education

CHAIRMAN: Brattin

DATE REFERRED: 1/23/2025 DATE HEARING REQUESTED: 1/31/2025



STAFF:
Tom Estes
Heidi Kolkmeyer
Olivia Shannon


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:



WITNESSES FOR:
Jamie Morris - Missouri Catholic Conference
Gary Hollis - Americans for Prosperity
Timothy Faber
Curtis Lee Cole - Chi Alpha Campus Ministries U.S.A.
Lance Kinzer - 1st Amendment Partnership
Paul Logan Spena - Alliance Defending Freedom


WITNESSES AGAINST:
Sharon Jones - PROMO Missouri
Nimrod Chapel - MO NAACP
Dava-Leigh Brush - Missouri Equity Education Partnership
Sage Corah - ACLU of Missouri
Malcom Gerhardt