The Tennessean

Tennessee bans disruptive student walkouts with Charlie Kirk Act

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Tennessee House Bill 1476

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Tennessee Conservative

Charlie Kirk Act To Become Tennessee Law

2025

The Tennessee General Assembly passed House Bill 1476, known as the Charlie Kirk Act, which requires public colleges and universities to adopt the University of Chicago's free speech policy and incorporate it into institutional bylaws.

The Tennessee General Assembly passed House Bill 1476, known as the Charlie Kirk Act, which requires public colleges and universities to adopt the University of Chicago's free speech policy and incorporate it into institutional bylaws.

The bill, named after conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed at Utah Valley University in September, passed the House 74-22 and cleared the Senate along party lines before heading to Gov. Bill Lee's desk.

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The bill, named after conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed at Utah Valley University in September, passed the House 74-22 and cleared the Senate along party lines before heading to Gov. Bill Lee's desk.

Under the legislation, students are barred from using signs to block an audience member's view of an invited speaker or staging walkouts that cause considerable disruption. Violations can result in probation, suspension or expulsion.

Under the legislation, students are barred from using signs to block an audience member's view of an invited speaker or staging walkouts that cause considerable disruption. Violations can result in probation, suspension or expulsion.

The bill prohibits institutions from uninviting speakers due to threatened protests or opposition and bars retaliation against students and faculty for protected speech, including views opposing abortion or LGBTQ rights.

The bill prohibits institutions from uninviting speakers due to threatened protests or opposition and bars retaliation against students and faculty for protected speech, including views opposing abortion or LGBTQ rights.

Bill sponsor Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, said he wants Tennessee to be "the gold standard" for public colleges and universities being "neutral when it comes to divisive political and social issues."

Bill sponsor Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, said he wants Tennessee to be "the gold standard" for public colleges and universities being "neutral when it comes to divisive political and social issues."

Democratic legislators raised objections during debate. Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, argued the bill "creates a pathway to crack down on free expression," while Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, noted professors were suspended for criticizing Kirk after his death.

Democratic legislators raised objections during debate. Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, argued the bill "creates a pathway to crack down on free expression," while Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, noted professors were suspended for criticizing Kirk after his death.

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Charlie Kirk Act advances to governor’s desk after passing Tennessee House

Charlie Kirk Act advances to governor’s desk after passing Tennessee House

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Tennessee Passes Charlie Kirk Free Speech Campus Act

Tennessee Passes Charlie Kirk Free Speech Campus Act

Tennessee Passes Charlie Kirk ActFree advancesSpeech toCampus governor’s desk after passing Tennessee HouseAct

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Tennessee Passes Charlie Kirk Free Speech Campus Act

Tennessee Passes Charlie Kirk ActFree advancesSpeech toCampus governor’s desk after passing Tennessee HouseAct

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