WEST virginia legislature

2024 regular session

Engrossed

Committee Substitute

for

Senate Bill 503

By Senators Grady, Taylor, Maynard, Roberts, Deeds, Azinger, and Rucker

[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; reported February 24, 2024]

A BILL to amend and reenact §18B-20-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to prohibiting state institutions of higher education from discriminating against student organizations which limit membership to those persons who adhere to the organization’s sincerely held beliefs, comply with the organization’s standards of conduct, and further the organization’s mission, expression, or purpose.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 20. FREE EXPRESSION ON CAMPUS.

§18B-20-5. Freedom of association and nondiscrimination against students and student organizations.

A state institution of higher education may not deny a religious, political, or ideological student organization which is open to all students any benefit or privilege made generally available to any other student organization organizations, or otherwise discriminate against an the organization based on  a requirement of the organization that its leaders and members:

 the expression of the organization;

(1) Affirm and adhere to the organization’s sincerely held beliefs;

(2) Comply with the organization’s standards of conduct; and

(3) Further the organization’s mission, expression, or purpose.