Vermont S 201: An act relating to academic freedom in Vermont’s postsecondary schools

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED S.201
2026 Page 1 of 2

VT LEG #385737 v.2
S.201 1
Introduced by Senators Lyons, Baruth, Chittenden, Hardy, Harrison, Ram 2
Hinsdale, Watson and White 3
Referred to Committee on 4
Date: 5
Subject: Education; postsecondary education; academic freedom; freedom of 6
expression; First Amendment 7
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require 8
postsecondary schools operating in Vermont to adopt an academic freedom 9
policy. 10
An act relating to academic freedom in Vermont’s postsecondary schools 11
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 12
Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. § 187 is added to read: 13
§ 187. ACADEMIC FREEDOM 14
(a) It is the policy of the State of Vermont to maintain and encourage full 15
freedom of inquiry, teaching, and research and the free exchange of ideas in 16
postsecondary schools that operate in Vermont in order to ensure such schools 17
allow for robust and uninhibited discussion of issues. 18

BILL AS INTRODUCED S.201
2026 Page 2 of 2

VT LEG #385737 v.2
(b) Postsecondary schools that operate in Vermont shall adopt an academic 1
freedom policy that complies with the State policy contained in subsection (a) 2
of this section and that: 3
(1) provides faculty with the freedom of discussion of any material 4
relevant to any course that a faculty member has been assigned to teach; 5
(2) places no unreasonable restrictions upon instructional methods; and 6
(3) provides faculty with the same freedom of expression and speech 7
outside the workplace as private citizens are afforded; provided, however, that 8
the faculty member shall disclaim any representation on behalf of the 9
postsecondary school when such representation could reasonably be perceived 10
within the community where the utterance is made. 11
Sec. 2. POLICY ADOPTION 12
Postsecondary schools operating in Vermont shall adopt an academic 13
freedom policy consistent with Sec. 1 of this act on or before August 1, 2027. 14
Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 15
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026. 16