LOS ANGELES – A California bill designed to provide public college student journalists with the same First Amendment freedoms as those enjoyed by the mainstream press has unanimously passed the state assembly.
Assembly Bill (AB)2581 is authored by California Assembly Speaker pro tem Leland Yee and Assemblyman Joe Nation. If it becomes law, it would amend ED Code 66301. The bill would bar college administrators who disagree with material published by school newspapers from retaliating against the publications or the students involved with the papers. Additionally, administrators would not be able to censor or remove any material they consider objectionable.
AB2581 is now in the Senate Education Committee.
For additional information, go to the California College and University Police Chiefs Association Web site at www.ccupca.com.