H.R.2555 - Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2555, the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025, aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It seeks to protect students' rights to participate in single-sex social organizations at institutions of higher education. The bill prohibits institutions receiving federal funds from discriminating against students or organizations based on single-sex membership practices.
Expected Effects
The bill's passage would likely lead to institutions of higher education being more cautious in their policies regarding single-sex organizations. It could also prompt legal challenges if institutions are perceived to be violating the act's provisions. The practical effect will depend on how the term 'adverse action' is interpreted and enforced.
Potential Benefits
- Protects students' rights to freely associate in single-sex organizations.
- Prevents institutions from taking adverse actions against students based solely on their membership in single-sex organizations.
- Ensures equal treatment of students in single-sex organizations compared to other students.
- Limits recruitment restrictions on single-sex organizations unless mutually agreed upon.
- Reinforces the principle of freedom of association on college campuses.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May lead to increased segregation and exclusion based on sex.
- Could hinder efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity on college campuses.
- May create legal challenges and ambiguities regarding the definition of 'adverse action'.
- Could potentially conflict with Title IX regulations regarding sex discrimination.
- May not address other forms of discrimination or bias within social organizations.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the US Constitution is primarily related to the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of association. The extent to which the bill promotes or infringes upon this right is debatable, depending on interpretations of institutional autonomy versus individual liberty. The bill does not appear to conflict with other constitutional provisions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).