The House passed a bill on Monday directing the attorney general to investigate whether any Maine public university is infringing on students’ free speech rights. That is different from the original bill, which mandated universities not have policies that infringe on basic free speech rights.
“We as legislators all swear to uphold and guard the rights in our constitution. Freedom of speech is chief among those rights. Instead, to my dismay, we punted this bill,” says Rep. Heidi Sampson, a Republican from Alfred.
The debate swirled around student free speech rights and the ability of students to speak on issues without campus officials unduly restricting when and where they could exercise their First Amendment rights.
Supporters argued fundamental rights are being eroded on some campuses, and the majority of the Education Committee supported asking the attorney office to investigate whether there is a problem and to recommend any changes in state law to address free speech issues.
“I believe that the attorney general’s inquiry as defined by the amended version of this bill will find nothing of concern and nothing inconsistent with our current policies and practices. But I welcome the review and to hosting staff of the attorney general at UMF,” says Rep. Alison Hepler, a Democrat from Woolwich and a history professor at the University of Maine at Farmington.
The bill faces further votes and could die for lack of funding to conduct the study.
