HB1617: Student organizations; religious or political organizations may determine core functions, etc.


HOUSE BILL NO. 1617
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on Education
on January 28, 2013)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Gilbert)
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 23 a section numbered 23-9.2:12, relating to higher education; student organizations.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 23 a section numbered 23-9.2:12 as follows:

§ 23-9.2:12. Student organizations; rights and recognition.

To the extent allowed by state and federal law:

1. A religious or political student organization may determine that ordering the organization's internal affairs, selecting the organization's leaders and members, defining the organization's doctrines, and resolving the organization's disputes are in furtherance of the organization's religious or political mission and that only persons committed to that mission should conduct such activities; and

2. No public institution of higher education that has granted recognition of and access to any student organization or group shall discriminate against any such student organization or group that exercises its rights pursuant to subdivision 1.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1617

Offered January 9, 2013
Prefiled January 6, 2013
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 23 a section numbered 23-9.2:12, relating to higher education; student organizations.
Patron-- Gilbert

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 1 of Title 23 a section numbered 23-9.2:12 as follows:

23-9.2:12. Student organizations; recognition and rights.

A. No public institutions of higher education that grants recognition of and access to any student organization or group shall discriminate against or deny recognition, equal access, or fair opportunity to any student organization or group on the basis of the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the organization or group's speech, including worship or other religious practice.

B. A religious or political student organization may determine that ordering the organization's internal affairs, selecting the organization's leaders and members, defining the organization's doctrines, and resolving the organization's disputes are in furtherance of the organization's religious or political mission and that only persons committed to that mission should conduct such activities.

C. No public institution of higher education shall deny recognition or any privilege or benefit to a student organization or group that exercises its rights pursuant to subsection B.