A bill called the Charlie Kirk Act passed in the Tennessee Senate on yesterday. The bill would require Tennessee colleges and universities to adopt certain free-speech protections and a policy modeled after the University of Chicago’s Freedom of Expression Policy.
It would bar schools and faculty from restricting speakers, punishing protected faculty speech or discriminating against people, student groups or employers because of religious beliefs or opposition to certain topics.
The House will take up the bill Tuesday
Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, when he was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
