The "Campus Free Expression Act" aims to enhance and protect free expression rights on public higher education campuses in South Carolina. The bill establishes that publicly accessible outdoor areas of these campuses are designated as traditional public forums, where expressive activities such as protests, speeches, and distribution of literature are permitted. It outlines that public institutions may impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on these activities, provided they are content- and viewpoint-neutral. Additionally, the act prohibits the designation of "free speech zones" and ensures that individuals can engage in noncommercial expressive activities freely, as long as they do not materially disrupt the institution's functioning.

The bill also introduces provisions for charging security fees for expressive activities, which must be based on neutral criteria and not on the content of the expression. It allows individuals whose expressive rights are violated to seek legal recourse, including compensatory damages and attorney fees, with specific guidelines on the amount of damages that can be awarded. The act emphasizes the importance of protecting expressive rights while maintaining order on campuses, and it establishes a one-year statute of limitations for bringing suit under its provisions.