A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Campus Accountability and Safety Act aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the Jeanne Clery Act to combat campus sexual assault. It requires institutions to improve the publication of security policies and crime statistics, including more specific data on incidents where the respondent is a student. The bill mandates the creation of sexual and interpersonal violence specialists at institutions to provide victim-centered, trauma-informed support. It also establishes a requirement for a publicly available, searchable campus safety website maintained by the Secretary. Additionally, the act introduces amnesty policies for students reporting such crimes and mandates specific training for campus employees.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +6
Would students be better off under this?
The bill creates specialized support roles, amnesty policies, and increased transparency regarding campus safety for students.
- Scored +5
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill provides enhanced support and safety protections for college students facing sexual misconduct.
- Scored +5
Would women be better off under this?
The bill provides enhanced protections and support services specifically aimed at combating sexual and interpersonal violence.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill imposes potential civil penalties of up to 1 percent of an institution's operating budget for non-compliance.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency for Students: The bill requires institutions to publish security policies in an easily accessible manner and in different languages on their websites (Section 2).
-
Improved Access to Support Services: The designation of sexual and interpersonal violence specialists allows students to report incidents, potentially anonymously, and receive support (Section 4).
-
Victim-Centered Support: Specialists are required to use "victim-centered, trauma-informed interview techniques" which focus on the experience of the victim without judgment (Section 4).
-
Reasonable Accommodations: Specialists are authorized to help complainants arrange accommodations such as changes to living or academic arrangements, or class schedules (Section 4).
-
Protection from Retaliation: The bill states that institutions shall not discipline, penalize, or otherwise retaliate against individuals who report these crimes in good faith (Section 4).
-
Amnesty for Reporting Students: Institutions may provide an amnesty policy so that students reporting in good faith are not sanctioned for conduct-related violations like alcohol or drug use (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Financial Penalties for Institutions: The Secretary may impose civil penalties of up to 1 percent of an institution's operating budget for failure to comply with certain requirements (Section 4).
-
Potential for Investigations: The Department of Education will maintain information regarding pending investigations and enforcement actions, which could include complaints or compliance reviews (Section 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The bill creates specialized support roles, amnesty policies, and increased transparency regarding campus safety for students. Would women be better off under this? — The bill provides enhanced protections and support services specifically aimed at combating sexual and interpersonal violence. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides enhanced support and safety protections for college students facing sexual misconduct. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions for assistance with accessibility services such as transportation.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates a publicly available, searchable, and user-friendly campus safety website maintained by the Secretary.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill requires training for specialists on providing support to victims with disabilities. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill provides specialized support and accommodations to help students maintain their academic and living arrangements.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill imposes potential civil penalties of up to 1 percent of an institution's operating budget for non-compliance.
- Education And Technology
- Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay? — The bill allows for reasonable accommodations like changes to academic schedules to support students in crisis.
- 10/8/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa