Current Status: SB 132, sponsored by Senator Reginald Thomas, was introduced in February 2023. A hearing before the Senate Judiciary committee is expected shortly. .
In 2021 HB 187, sponsored by Rep. Attica Scott, was introduced on Jan. 10, 2021 and referred to the Committee on Committees. The bill died due to inaction before the end of the legislative session.
Shortcuts:
• Get involved
• Why Kentucky needs New Voices
• Endorsements
• Recent news
Get involved
- Like and follow New Voices of Kentucky on Facebook and Twitter.
- Contact your state legislators to let them know why this bill is important to you. Find out who your legislators are here. Not sure what to say? Check out our phone script and letter-writing tips here.
- Refine your thoughts with talking points, a printable flyer and other resources here.
- Get looped in with volunteer coordinators to let them know about your efforts and learn about other ways to get involved: Hillary Davis, hdavis@splc.org
- Enlist all your friends in Kentucky to raise their voices in support of this measure, which ensures the basic First Amendment rights of student journalists and protects their advisers from retaliation.
- If you are a student or adviser who was censored, intimidated or retaliated against, contact SPLC’s legal hotline.
Why Kentucky needs New Voices
- Kentucky university student newspaper struggles after loss of adviser and funding for student stipends Student Press Law Center (6-13-19)
- After controversial stories are cut, student journalists in Kentucky contact SPLC and launch an underground newspaper Student Press Law Center (3-7-16)
Endorsements
You can see the list of national endorsers at the bottom of this page.
Recent news
- OPINION: Student journalism is good for schools, democracy. Support KY’s ‘New Voices’ legislation. Lexington Herald-Leader. (2-21-23)
- New Voices advocate Brennan Eberwine shares his experiences and advice for up-and-coming student leaders. Student Press Law Center (10-18-22)
- Student Press Freedom Day: Empower journalists to do their jobs Kentucky New Era, Hopkinsville, KY (3-1-21)
- New Voices Act gives more voice to student journalists The Manual Redeye, duPont Manual High School, Louisville, KY (2-7-21)
- Student Reporters Could be the Fix Local News Needs. Let’s Give Them the Legal Protections to Cover More than Pep Rallies and STEM Competitions The 74 (1-24-21)
- Student Voices, New Voices PLD Lamplighter, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Lexington, KY (2-14-20)