H.R. 1816 – Equal Campus Access Act of 2023

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 5:17 AM UTC

The Equal Campus Access Act of 2023 adds a new requirement to the Higher Education Act of 1965. It says that public colleges and universities cannot receive federal funding if they deny religious student organizations the same rights, facilities, or official recognition that other student groups get because of the organization’s religious beliefs or practices. The rule applies to all public higher‑education institutions that get federal aid.

Key Provisions

Federal funds may not be provided to any public college or university that refuses a religious student organization any right, benefit, or privilege (such as full facility access or official campus recognition) that is offered to other student groups because of the organization’s religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or conduct standards.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

March 27, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 27, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

March 27, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 27, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1816

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 27, 2023

Mr. Walberg (for himself, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Ms. Hageman, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Wittman, Mr. Babin, Mr. Mann, Mr. Latta, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Moran, and Mr. Grothman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

A BILL

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ensure campus access at public institutions of higher education for religious groups.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Equal Campus Access Act of 2023.

2.

Campus access for religious groups

Part B of title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1011 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

124.

Campus access for religious groups

None of the funds made available under this Act may be provided to any public institution of higher education that denies to a religious student organization any right, benefit, or privilege that is otherwise afforded to other student organizations at the institution (including full access to the facilities of the institution and official recognition of the organization by the institution) because of the religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or standards of conduct of the religious student organization.

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