As of April, some version of the Academic Bill of Rights had been introduced in 15 states. Here’s a status report.

Alabama
Senate Bill 240 introduced but unlikely to pass by last day of session, April 17.

California
Senate Bill 5 introduced Dec. 6, 2004, and scheduled for Senate Education hearing April 20, 2005.

Colorado
The first state where Student Bill of Rights legislation was introduced in late 2003. The bill was withdrawn when state university presidents agreed in a memo of understanding to adopt principles of the Academic Bill of Rights and report regularly to the Legislature.

Florida
House Bill 837 passed out of committee March 24, 2005, and is viewed as likely to pass. Senate Bill 2126 was introduced March 16, 2005, but faces opposition.

Georgia
Senate Resolution 661 passed the state Senate March 22, 2005.

Indiana
House Bill 1531 introduced Jan. 18, 2005; referred to Committee on Education. Bill is dead for now.

Maine
LD 1194 introduced March 8, 2005; referred to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs; hearing on April 15.

Maryland
House Bill 964 died after unfavorable report from the House Appropriations Committee.

Massachusetts
Legislative Bill 1234 referred to Committee on Higher Education.

Minnesota
Senate Bill 1988 introduced March 31, 2005; referred to Education Committee where the deadline for action passed April 12, and the bill died.

New York
A. B. 4389 introduced Feb. 10, 2005, and could be taken up anytime before session ends in 2006. Also, trustees at the State University of New York, led by Candace de Russy, have proposed that their system adopt a similar resolution to protect the rights of students at the system’s 64 campuses.

North Carolina
Senate Bill 1139 Academic Bill of Rights sent to Senate Higher Education Committee March 24, 2005.

Ohio
Senate Bill 24 introduced Jan. 26, 2005, and referred to Committee on Education; could be heard anytime before end of session in 2006.

Pennsylvania
House Resolution 177 introduced March 30, 2005, in Education Committee.

Rhode Island
Senate Bill 0392, introduced on Feb. 10, 2005, but the Education Committee recommended that bill be held for further study.

Tennessee
Senate Bill 1117 scheduled for Secondary Education Committee calendar April 6, 2005; House Bill 432 referred to committee Feb. 7, 2005.

Washington
House Bill 1991 introduced Feb. 14, 2005, but died when it did not make March 2 cutoff date to be heard in committee.

Federal
House Resolution 609, introduced Feb. 8, 2005, as part of bill to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, referred to U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce.