Free speech policy/higher ed

AN ACT Relating to adopting free speech policy statements at 1
public institutions of higher education; adding a new section to 2
chapter 28B.10 RCW; and creating a new section. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that freedom of 5
expression principles are required for a free society. Recently, 6
controversial speech has been met, not with competing ideas, but with 7
attempts to silence the speakers. The legislature agrees with Justice 8
Brandeis that "the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced 9
silence," and with Justice Kennedy that "the remedy for speech that 10
is false is speech that is true." The legislature further finds that 11
the greatest breeding ground for the principles of freedom of 12
expression are our institutions of higher education. Therefore, in 13
order to promote and protect principles of freedom of expression, the 14
legislature intends to require its institutions of higher education 15
to adopt the Chicago principles as presented by the University of 16
Chicago's committee on freedom of expression.17
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 18
RCW to read as follows: 19
S-0174.1
SENATE BILL 5608
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators Warnick, Hasegawa, and Holy
Read first time 01/31/25. Referred to Committee on Higher Education
& Workforce Development.
p. 1 SB 5608
The boards of regents of the state universities, the boards of 1
trustees of the regional universities, The Evergreen State College, 2
and the boards of trustees of each community and technical college 3
district, in collaboration with faculty and students, shall each 4
adopt a free speech policy statement. This free speech policy 5
statement must articulate certain principles that the institution 6
will uphold, comparable to the Chicago principles or Chicago 7
statement. The statement must include, at a minimum, a commitment to:8
(1) Promote and protect free and open inquiry; 9
(2) Promote and protect a completely free and open discussion of 10
ideas that maintains a climate of mutual respect; 11
(3) Promote and protect the principle of debate or deliberation 12
without judgment by the institution; and 13
(4) Act in conformity with the principle of free expression and 14
not obstruct or otherwise interfere with the freedom of others to 15
express views they reject. 16
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p. 2 SB 5608