In 2004, two additional states introduced such legislation and the Georgia Legislature passed a resolution urging colleges to ensure ideological diversity. In 2005, 15 more states introduced what has become known as the Academic Bill of Rights, or ABOR; 10 have rejected it but in five legislatures, bills are pending. Pennsylvania was the first state to pass a resolution calling for hearings on the matter. In the first two months of 2006, seven states—Arizona, Hawaii, Kansas, New York, South Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia—introduced legislation, and in South Dakota, a House committee passed a measure requiring state universities to file annual reports showing how they protect intellectual diversity.

Two states in addition to Colorado—Ohio and Tennessee—have signed agreements with their public colleges and universities to establish ABOR policies on campus.

The map below shows the status of ABOR legislation in the states.

See feature story: The new thought police