When Florida lawmakers return to Tallahassee in January, they'll consider a bill which some fear could lead to more hateful rhetoric at colleges.
The Campus Free Expression Act would make it illegal to deny requests by outside speakers to address students on campus. In fact, if demonstrators were to be denied, the proposed act would empower them to sue for up to $100,000 in damages.
While the legislation was devised before white nationalist Richard Spencer's incendiary speech on the University of Florida campus in October, supporters believe the events surrounding the speech significantly improve its chances of passage.
UF initially denied Spencer's request to speak on campus. Only later, after lawyers informed them the request couldn't be rejected because of constitutionally-protected free speech on a public university campus, was the decision reversed.
Lawmakers will further consider the measure during the 2018 legislative session, which begins Jan. 9.