The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has advanced legislation that requires equal treatment for religious student groups. The Equal Campus Access Act would withhold federal funding from public colleges and universities that deny religious student organizations “any right, benefit, or privilege” afforded to other student organizations, including official recognition and full access to campus facilities. The bill, which passed out of the House Education and Workforce Committee by a party-line 18-15 vote, is backed by a coalition of 47 First Amendment and faith-based organizations, including Christian Legal Society. The faith-based organizations represent Evangelical, Catholic, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim, and other faith traditions. The bill responds to reported incidents on college campuses where religious groups lost access or recognition because of their faith-based requirements. While focused on religious groups, the legislation would also protect broader belief-based student organizations, including political and ideological ones. The Center’s Lori Kepner and Kim Colby have been heavily involved in getting this bill passed.
