§4071 Denial of Equal Access Prohibited

Summary

Public secondary schools that get federal money must not block or treat student groups unfairly from meeting on campus because of what the students plan to say, including religious, political, or philosophical speech. A "limited open forum" means the school lets noncurriculum student groups meet on school property during noninstructional time. A school gives a fair chance when meetings are voluntary and started by students, the school does not sponsor them, school staff at religious meetings only listen and do not take part, meetings do not seriously disrupt school activities, and outside people do not run or regularly attend the group. The rule also says the government cannot force or shape prayers, make anyone join religious activity, spend public money beyond the small cost of providing space, force staff to attend meetings that conflict with their beliefs, allow illegal meetings, limit groups by size, or take away anyone’s constitutional rights. The federal government may not use this rule to cut a school’s federal funding. Schools still may enforce order, protect safety, and make sure attending meetings is voluntary.