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Bill Summary · SJR 55

Summary — SJR 55 (Acts Ch. 157)

A joint resolution directing Kentucky’s public postsecondary institutions to adopt policies to combat antisemitism. Enacted and signed by the Governor April 2, 2025 (Acts Chapter 157). Introduced Feb. 18, 2025.

Purpose / Intent

To direct the governing boards of Kentucky’s public colleges and universities to adopt and implement policies aimed at preventing and responding to antisemitism on campus, increase transparency about incidents and institutional responses, and identify Jewish student resources.

Key provisions

  • Deadline and scope

    • By January 1, 2026: each public postsecondary institution’s governing board must adopt antisemitism-combatting policies.
    • Institutions must implement these policies through June 30, 2028, and may continue thereafter.

  • Definitions and limits

    • Policies must “use as guidance” the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism (as recognized by Kentucky in 2021) and the institutions must “adhere to the First Amendment.”

  • Required policy elements

    1. Semester-start notifications to all students that explain:
      • Rights protected under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and how to file complaints;
      • The civil cause of action under KRS 344.450 (ability to seek injunctions, actual damages, and costs);
      • The institution’s policies on student-on-student harassment.
    2. Identification of all Jewish groups serving students as community resources, on equal footing with other recognized religious organizations.
    3. Authority to defund and disband any student organization that an institution finds is providing material support or resources to a designated terrorist organization, and requirement to report such findings to appropriate law enforcement.
    4. Collection of specified data:
      • Number of antisemitism reports received, investigations opened, and outcomes;
      • Number of Title VI–related reports connected to antisemitism and investigation results;
      • Number of actions brought against the institution under KRS 344.450 and outcomes.

  • Reporting and transparency

    • By June 30 each year (first report covering the prior two years), until July 1, 2028, institutions must submit collected data to the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE).
    • CPE must compile statewide and institution-level data, post it on its website, and report to the Legislative Research Commission for referral to interim joint committees.

  • Notice

    • The Clerk of the Senate must forward the resolution to the CPE president and presidents of named public institutions (University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Northern Kentucky, Kentucky State, Morehead State, Murray State, Kentucky Community & Technical College System) and the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities.

Who is affected

  • Governing boards and administrations of Kentucky public postsecondary institutions (and potentially independent colleges receiving the notice).
  • Students (especially Jewish students), student organizations, campus law-enforcement partners.
  • Council on Postsecondary Education and Legislative Research Commission (reporting and oversight roles).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Administrative: institutions must develop policies, notification mechanisms, data-tracking systems, and compliance processes by Jan. 1, 2026.
  • Student organizations: may face defunding/disbanding if found to materially support designated terrorist organizations (institutional findings trigger law‑enforcement reporting).
  • Legal balance: the resolution explicitly directs use of the IHRA definition as guidance while requiring adherence to the First Amendment and referencing Title VI and KRS 344.450 — raising potential free-speech and civil-rights interplay that institutions will need to navigate when drafting and enforcing policies.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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