A new law that aims to strengthen free speech on college campuses in the state of Iowa is getting mixed reactions.

Republican Governor Kim Reynolds signed the so-called free speech bill into law earlier this week. The law follows a situation that unfolded over the last several years at the University of Iowa.

In 2017 the University of Iowa removed the group Business Leaders in Christ after they denied a leadership position to an openly gay student. After the group filed a lawsuit, a federal court ruled in favor of Business Leaders in Christ, reinstating it as a campus organization.

TV9 spoke with the attorney who represented Business Leaders in Christ in their lawsuit, Eric Baxter, who tells us that not only is this step an important one but given what has transpired he believes it is essential to ensuring the first amendment is followed on Iowa's public college campuses.

"It's a great step forward for the state of Iowa," said Baxter. "We're really happy the legislature has taken this step to ensure that other student groups on other campuses in Iowa won't suffer the same discrimination our clients have experienced."

The law says it is the right of any student organization to require their leaders follow the group's beliefs and mission and that public institutions can not deny benefits to groups that have certain standards.

Baxter says the law will ensure a "healthy marketplace of ideas" on Iowa's college campuses.

Not all are enthusiastic about the law. Alex Bare, the outreach director of a student-run LGBT group called Spectrum UI, thinks all the new law does is open up the door for discrimination.

"What this law does is it adds teeth to those who are attempting to use First-Amendment amended rights to deny certain spaces to certain individuals," said Bare.

TV9 reached out to democratic leadership in the Iowa House and Senate, along with Business Leaders in Christ, for comment about the new law but we have not heard back.

TV9 also reached out to the Iowa Board of Regents about the new law. Communications Director, Josh Lehman sent along the following statement:

"Our public universities are places where all viewpoints should and can be heard and respected. This has been a long-standing core principal of institutions of higher learning, and the Board of Regents fully supports the free expression of ideas on our campuses. The right to express differing views on any issue is paramount, and the Board and our universities do and will continue to support this right. Our public universities already have policies in place to protect free expression, and the Board and our universities do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We are aware of the requirements of the law and will make sure our policies are in compliance."

Republican Governor Kim Reynolds also sent along a statement about the law to TV9 that said, “I am proud to sign this legislation into law which protects free speech on college campuses... Our public universities and community colleges should always be places where ideas can be debated, built upon, and creative thoughts flourish without limits.”