S. 985Senate118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Equal Campus Access Act of 2023

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 5:15 AM UTC

The Equal Campus Access Act of 2023 would change the Higher Education Act of 1965 so that any public college or university that receives federal funds cannot deny a religious student organization the same rights, benefits, or privileges—such as use of campus facilities and official recognition—that are given to other student groups, simply because of the organization’s religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or conduct. The rule applies to all public higher‑education institutions that get federal money.

Key Provisions

Prohibits withholding any federal funds from a public institution that denies a religious student organization equal access to campus facilities, official recognition, or other benefits that other student groups receive because of the organization’s religious beliefs or practices.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

March 27, 2023

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 27, 2023

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

March 27, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued March 27, 2023

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 985

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 27, 2023

Mr. Lankford (for himself, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Risch, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Graham, Mr. Crapo, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Hawley, Mr. Tillis, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Rubio) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

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

Short title

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

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.