Senate committee advances education discrimination bill after sharp free-speech fight

House Bill 261141, as amended, would clarify what constitutes discrimination in places of public accommodation related to educational institutions and add grievance procedures and a designated Title VI coordinator at public higher-education institutions. The bill's sponsor told the Senate State Affairs Committee the measure has been substantially amended in the House, carries no fiscal impact in its current form, and lists protected classes that include disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, pregnancy and parental status.