House Sponsors: COWLISHAW-CURRIE, MCKEON, NOVAK, ERWIN, GASH, DELGADO. Senate Sponsors: PARKER-BERMAN Short description: SCH CD-FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the School Code. Provides that public high school students have the right to exercise freedom of the press and that expressions contained in a high school newspaper are not subject to prior restraint except for expressions that are libelous, obscene, or harmful to minors, constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, or incite students to imminent lawless action. Provides that the governing board of a school district that publishes a high school newspaper shall adopt a student freedom of expression policy. Adds provisions relative to the responsibility of student editors of high school newspapers and of journalism advisors. Authorizes injunctive or declaratory relief actions to enforce rights provided by the amendatory Act, provides that school districts are not required to have a student newspaper and are not prohibited from adopting otherwise valid rules relating to certain oral or other written student materials, and adds a severability clause. FISCAL NOTE (State Board of Education) There will be no fiscal impact at the State level. Liability costs to local school districts cannot be quantified. STATE MANDATES NOTE (State Board of Education) No change from SBE fiscal note. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Provides that the limitations on student expression shall be as determined by the principal or designated school official. Provides that the limitation on expression that so incites students as to cause imminent lawless action shall instead be a limit on expression likely to cause imminent lawless action. Provides that no expression made by students shall be deemed to be an expression of school policy. Removes the provision that makes student editors of newspapers responsible for determining the advertising content of their publications. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 01-01-09 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status