Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1322: Higher Education - Freedom of Expression on Campus - Protection (Maryland Campus Area Free Expression Act)
Status: In committee, February 17, 2026
Specifying that certain areas on campuses of public institutions of higher education are public forums subject to certain restrictions and requirements; authorizing members of the campus community to engage in certain expressive activity on campus; authorizing the Attorney General or a person aggrieved by a certain violation to bring an action against a public institution of higher education and certain employees; etc.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Higher Education - Freedom of Expression on Campus - Protection (Maryland Campus Area Free Expression Act) FOR the purpose of specifying that certain areas on campuses of public institutions of higher education are public forums subject to certain restrictions and requirements; authorizing members of the campus community to engage in certain expressive activity on campus; authorizing the Attorney General or a person aggrieved by a certain violation to bring an action against a public institution of higher education and certain employees…
From the introduced text, February 13, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Higher Education - Freedom of Expression on Campus - Protection (Maryland Campus Area Free Expression Act) FOR the purpose of specifying that certain areas on campuses of public institutions of higher education are public forums subject to certain restrictions and requirements; authorizing members of the campus community to engage in certain expressive activity on campus; authorizing the Attorney General or a person aggrieved by a certain violation to bring an action against a public institution of higher education and certain employees; requiring a court to grant a certain award if it finds that a certain violation has occurred; authorizing a court to grant certain relief if the court finds that a certain violation has occurred; requiring an aggrieved person to bring an action within a certain period of time; and generally relating to the protection of free expression on the campuses of public institutions of higher education. BY adding to Article - Education Section 15-141 Annotated Code of Maryland (2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Education 15-141. (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED. EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist …