# Equal Campus Access Act of 2023

This bill requires public colleges and universities to treat religious student groups the same way they treat all other student organizations. Right now, some schools have rules that prevent religious clubs from getting official recognition, using campus facilities, or receiving the same benefits as other clubs. This bill would make that illegal by saying schools can't discriminate against religious groups just because of their beliefs or practices.

The practical effect is that a Christian fellowship, Muslim student association, Jewish group, or any other faith-based organization would have to be given the same access to meeting rooms, funding opportunities, and official status as a chess club or environmental group. Schools couldn't deny these groups recognition or facilities based on their religious beliefs, even if those beliefs include specific leadership standards or conduct rules that differ from secular organizations. If a school violates this, it would lose federal funding that it receives under higher education programs.

This addresses a real tension that exists on some campuses. Religious groups sometimes argue they face discrimination when schools apply different standards to them than to other clubs, particularly around leadership requirements. For example, a religious organization might want its leaders to follow certain faith principles, which could conflict with general non-discrimination policies that other student groups must follow. The bill essentially says religious groups get the same leeway and flexibility that other organizations receive, and schools can't single them out for stricter treatment based on their religious nature.

Equal Campus Access Act of 2023

Walberg, Tim

Equal Campus Access Act of 2023 This bill prohibits funding made available under the Higher Education Act of 1965 from being provided to any public institution of higher education (IHE) that denies to religious student organizations any right, benefit, or privilege that is otherwise afforded to other student organizations at the IHE because of the religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or standards of conduct of the religious student organization.