To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to have an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · September 18, 2024
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
The SOS Campus Act requires all colleges and universities that receive federal funding to hire an independent advocate specifically dedicated to helping students who have experienced sexual assault. This advocate must be appointed based on their experience with sexual assault victim services and must report to someone outside the office that investigates sexual assault cases, ensuring their independence from the institution. The advocate's responsibilities include connecting victims with 24-hour services like emergency medical care, counseling, legal information, and help navigating reporting processes, while maintaining strict confidentiality and protecting victims from retaliation. All campus employees who receive reports of sexual assault must inform victims about the advocate's existence and services. The legislation requires the Department of Education to establish regulations for these appointments within 180 days of the bill's enactment, and advocates must submit annual reports on how many male and female assault victims they assisted.
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