Timothy Kaine (D-VA)· Introduced September 30, 2026

SOS Campus Act

S. 5657 · Senate bill Education

A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors

Last activity September 30, 2026 — 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

This bill is called the Survivor Outreach and Support Campus Act, or the SOS Campus Act. It amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require colleges and universities that receive federal financial assistance to designate an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response. The advocate's job is to represent the interests of student survivors even when those interests conflict with the institution. The advocate must ensure survivors have access to 24-hour services like emergency medical care, counseling, and legal information. The advocate is also required to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the survivor and witnesses, unless state law requires otherwise. Additionally, institutions must include agreement to these requirements in their program participation agreements.

Yes· 3 of 7

Scored +8
Would students be better off under this?
The bill directly establishes independent advocates to help student survivors navigate reporting, medical care, counseling, and academic accommodations.
Scored +7
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
College students, primarily young adults, benefit from dedicated advocacy and support services for campus sexual assault.
Scored +6
Would women be better off under this?
Because campus sexual assault disproportionately affects female students, providing dedicated survivor advocates directly supports women on college campuses.

The opposite

No question was scored the opposite.

Who it would affect, and how

Potential Positive Impacts for People

Access to 24-Hour Services: Under Section 2(a), adding Section 494A(c)(1)(A), the advocate ensures survivors receive 24-hour services including information on reporting to law enforcement, emergency medical care, and medical forensic or evidentiary examinations, which benefits survivors by ensuring immediate medical and logistical support is available.
Protection from Retaliation: Under Section 2(a), adding Section 494A(a)(2), the advocate may not be disciplined, penalized, or retaliated against by the institution for representing the survivor's interests, and under Section 494A(c)(1)(D), survivors may not be retaliated against for reporting to the advocate, which protects both the advocate and the survivor from institutional punishment.
Guidance Through Processes: Under Section 2(a), adding Section 494A(c)(2), the advocate guides survivors requesting assistance through reporting, counseling, administrative, medical and health, academic accommodations, or legal processes, which helps students navigate complex institutional systems.
Privacy and Confidentiality: Under Section 2(a), adding Section 494A(c)(4), the advocate must maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the survivor and any witness, and shall not notify the institution or authorities of identities or circumstances unless required by applicable State laws, which protects the privacy of those involved.

Potential Negative Impacts for People

Mandatory Reporting Restrictions: Under Section 2(a), adding Section 494A(c)(4), the confidentiality protection is limited by the phrase unless otherwise required by the applicable laws in the State where such institution is located, which could negatively impact individuals in states with mandatory reporting laws by stripping away guaranteed privacy.

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 directly establishes independent advocates to help student survivors navigate reporting, medical care, counseling, and academic accommodations. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — College students, primarily young adults, benefit from dedicated advocacy and support services for campus sexual assault. Would women be better off under this? — Because campus sexual assault disproportionately affects female students, providing dedicated survivor advocates directly supports women on college campuses.
Governance And Ideology: Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill mandates strict privacy and confidentiality protections for survivors and witnesses interacting with the independent advocate. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill places a new federal mandate on colleges and universities participating in federal student aid programs to designate an independent advocate.
Healthcare: Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill requires institutions to ensure survivors have access to 24-hour emergency medical care, forensic exams, and counseling services.
Social Issues And Justice: Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The legislation provides specialized institutional support and advocacy for campus sexual assault survivors, who are disproportionately women.