Before YAL launched its Hazlitt Action program in 2021, YAL activists were already working to support legislation that would directly impact their lives on college campuses. Senate Bill 40 in Ohio was FORUM Act legislation that protected students from bureaucratic overreach like Free Speech Zones and prior-permission permits. YAL activists showed up in Columbus to testify on the bill’s behalf multiple times. On top of that, more students from around the state bombed phone lines on Ohio’s Capital Hill to make sure the bill was passed. After calls to everyone from State Representatives all the way up to the Governor’s office, Governor Dewine finally signed the bill.

The very next semester, YAL Chapter President at Youngstown State, Austin White, contacted the school administration regarding their policy that still required prior permission to speak and assemble. During his discussions with the school admins they informed him that they were, in fact, changing their policies to a new more compliant version. Why? Because of Senate Bill 40 going into law. YAL’s work in grassroots activism had landed big impacts for the students of Youngstown State.