S 954 — Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2017

Summary

Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2017 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each institution of higher education (IHE) to include in its annual security report a statement of policy regarding harassment that includes: (1) a prohibition of harassment of students by other students, faculty, and staff; (2) a description of its programs to prevent harassment; (3) a description of the procedures that students should follow if harassment occurs; and (4) a description of the procedures it will follow once an incident of harassment has been reported. In addition, the report must include a description of each occasion in which a pattern of harassment occurs and the actions taken by the IHE. Harassment includes certain conduct undertaken through technological means that limits a student's ability to benefit from the IHE's programs, or creates a hostile or abusive educational environment at the school. The Department of Education (ED) may award grants to IHEs to initiate, expand, or improve programs to: prevent the harassment of students; provide counseling or redress services to students who have been harassed or accused of subjecting other students to harassment; and train students, faculty, or staff to prevent harassment or address harassment if it occurs. ED must publish a report of best practices for combating harassment at IHEs.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html April 27, 2017

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the Higher Education Act to include new requirements for institutions regarding harassment policies and reporting.

• 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)

  Notice: None → Disclosure of Campus Security and Harassment Policy and Campus Crime Statistics.

  Renames the subsection to better reflect its content regarding both campus security and harassment.

• 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)

  Notice: None → (iii) The term `commercial mobile service' has the meaning given the term in section 332(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(d)). (iv) The term `electronic communication' means any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, or data of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic, or photooptical system. (v) The term `electronic messaging services' has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (47 U.S.C. 1001). (vi) The term `harassment' means conduct...

  Adds definitions related to communication technologies and harassment to clarify terms used in discussions about harassment policies.

• 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)

  Notice: None → (9)(A) Each institution of higher education participating in any program under this title, other than a foreign institution of higher education, shall develop and distribute as part of the report described in paragraph (1)-- ...

  Creates a requirement for institutions to establish and distribute a clear harassment policy and response protocol.

• 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(9)(A)(i)

  Notice: None → a statement of policy regarding harassment, which shall include-- (I) a prohibition of harassment of enrolled students by other students, faculty, and staff...

  Mandates that institutions must explicitly prohibit harassment and outline protection measures for students.

• 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(9)(A)(ii)

  Notice: None → a description of the institution's programs to combat harassment, which shall be aimed at the prevention of harassment;

  Institutions must describe their efforts and programs to prevent harassment and promote a safe campus environment.

• 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(9)(A)(iii)

  Notice: None → a description of the procedures that a student should follow if an incident of harassment occurs;

  Requires institutions to provide clear reporting procedures for students who experience harassment.

• 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(9)(A)(iv)

  Notice: None → a description of the procedures that the institution will follow once an incident of harassment has been reported;

  Institutions must inform students what steps will be taken after a harassment report is made.

• 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(9)(B)

  Notice: None → The statement of policy described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall address the following areas: ...

  Outlines specific areas to be addressed in harassment policies, including actions and programs that institutions must implement.

Action History

1. April 27, 2017

   Introduced in Senate

2. April 27, 2017

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sponsors

• Patty Murray · Primary

Subjects