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GOP Lawmakers Resurrect UW Campus Free Speech Bill

Measure Would Punish Students Who Disrupt Campus Speeches, Presentations

By
Ann Althouse (CC-BY)

Republican legislators are re-introducing a bill that would punish students who interfere with campus speeches and presentations with suspension and expulsion.

The state Assembly passed a bill last session that would suspend University of Wisconsin System students twice accused of disrupting others’ free speech. Students who disrupt others’ free expression a third time would be expelled.

The measure died in the Senate but UW regents adopted the sanctions as policy in October.

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Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Sen. Chris Kapenga and Reps. Cody Horlacher and Dave Murphy re-introduced the bill Tuesday. Passage would cement the sanctions in statute.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment on the bill’s prospects.

Melissa Baldauff, a spokeswoman for Gov. Tony Evers, also didn’t immediately respond to an email.