The Tennessean

Tennessee bans disruptive student walkouts with Charlie Kirk Act

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Tennessee House Bill 1476

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TheTNHoller

Tennessee Conservative

Charlie Kirk Act To Become Tennessee Law

2025

The Tennessee House of Representatives passed House Bill 1476, known as the Charlie Kirk Act, after <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/conservative-influencer-charlie-kirk-shot-killed-at-university-campus-event">the conservative activist who was assassinated in September 2025</a>, 74-22 on Monday, which will proceed to the Tennessee governor for signing, after passing the state's Senate last month.

The Tennessee House of Representatives passed House Bill 1476, known as the Charlie Kirk Act, after the conservative activist who was assassinated in September 2025, 74-22 on Monday, which will proceed to the Tennessee governor for signing, after passing the state's Senate last month.

The measure requires public colleges and universities in the state to adopt statements on freedom of expression and political and social action "identical or substantially similar" to the University of Chicago's into their institutional bylaws.

The measure requires public colleges and universities in the state to adopt statements on freedom of expression and political and social action "identical or substantially similar" to the University of Chicago's into their institutional bylaws.

In addition, it bars individuals from impeding an audience member's view of an invited speaker, staging walkouts to cause "considerable disruption," making disruptive noise or physically obstructing a speaker or audience member from attending an event.

In addition, it bars individuals from impeding an audience member's view of an invited speaker, staging walkouts to cause "considerable disruption," making disruptive noise or physically obstructing a speaker or audience member from attending an event.

Students who violate these prohibitions first face probation, then suspension and finally expulsion. Faculty members, meanwhile, face at least a 1-week suspension without pay for the first violation, a minimum 1-year suspension without pay for the second and termination of employment for the third.

Students who violate these prohibitions first face probation, then suspension and finally expulsion. Faculty members, meanwhile, face at least a 1-week suspension without pay for the first violation, a minimum 1-year suspension without pay for the second and termination of employment for the third.

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

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

Under the new law, private citizens can file petitions for writs of mandamus or injunctions against public educational institutions that do not comply, as well as civil lawsuits against individuals who violate free speech policies under Section 49-7-240 of the Tennessee Code.

Under the new law, private citizens can file petitions for writs of mandamus or injunctions against public educational institutions that do not comply, as well as civil lawsuits against individuals who violate free speech policies under Section 49-7-240 of the Tennessee Code.

The Tennessean #

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Tennessee Conservative #

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.

The Charlie Kirk Act is a landmark win for free speech on Tennessee campuses, forcing public universities to stop silencing viewpoints they dislike. No more canceling speakers because a protest mob shows up — students and faculty now have real legal teeth to fight back. This law protects religious belief, academic freedom and open debate, which is exactly what higher education is supposed to be about.

The Charlie Kirk Act is a landmark win for free speech on Tennessee campuses, forcing public universities to stop silencing viewpoints they dislike. No more canceling speakers because a protest mob shows up — students and faculty now have real legal teeth to fight back. This law protects religious belief, academic freedom and open debate, which is exactly what higher education is supposed to be about.

Calling this a free speech bill while banning student walkouts is pure contradiction — silencing protest is the opposite of protecting expression. The law doesn't expand free speech; it selectively shields certain viewpoints while punishing the dissent of others. Real free speech means protecting the walkout just as much as the speaker at the podium.

Calling this a free speech bill while banning student walkouts is pure contradiction — silencing protest is the opposite of protecting expression. The law doesn't expand free speech; it selectively shields certain viewpoints while punishing the dissent of others. Real free speech means protecting the walkout just as much as the speaker at the podium.

The Tennessee Holler

Tennessee Passes Charlie Kirk Free Speech Campus Act

United States of America

Politics

The Charlie Kirk Act is a landmark win for free speech on Tennessee campuses, which forces public universities to stop suppressing viewpoints they dislike. The law gives students and faculty alike the means to fight back against this censorship, while protecting religious belief, academic freedom and open debate, which is exactly what higher education should be about.

The Charlie Kirk Act is a landmark win for free speech on Tennessee campuses, which forces public universities to stop suppressing viewpoints they dislike. The law gives students and faculty alike the means to fight back against this censorship, while protecting religious belief, academic freedom and open debate, which is exactly what higher education should be about.

Aside from glorifying a divisive individual with a history of bigoted comments on race, gender and sexuality, this bill, rather than protecting free expression in education, does the exact opposite. The legislation silences protest, selectively shields certain viewpoints from valid criticism and punishes the dissent of others, crippling academic freedom in the process.

Aside from glorifying a divisive individual with a history of bigoted comments on race, gender and sexuality, this bill, rather than protecting free expression in education, does the exact opposite. The legislation silences protest, selectively shields certain viewpoints from valid criticism and punishes the dissent of others, crippling academic freedom in the process.

Tennessee Passes Charlie Kirk Free Speech Campus Act

Tennessee Passes Charlie Kirk Free Speech Campus Act

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Tennessee Passes Charlie Kirk Free Speech Campus Act

Tennessee Passes Charlie Kirk Free Speech Campus Act

The Spin

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