Rep. Capito Joins Bipartisan Coalition to Introduce Sexual Assault Bill

Press Release

U.S. Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) has joined with a bipartisan coalition of 17 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives to introduce the Campus Accountability and Safety Act.

This legislation would address sexual assaults on college and university campuses by enhancing counseling and training resources, strengthening accountability and transparency, raising penalties for non-compliance on sexual assault laws, and increasing cooperation between campuses and local law enforcement.

"Having volunteered at a rape crisis center on a college campus, I have seen firsthand the toll this terrible crime takes on our students and their friends and loved ones. The need for congressional action is clear -- no student on a college campus should live in fear of being attacked. This bipartisan legislation takes clear steps to help those affected by sexual assault, to educate campus personnel to respond compassionately, and to strengthen law enforcement response. By working together, we can help put a stop to rape and sexual assault on college campuses nationwide," Rep. Capito said.

A Senate companion bill was introduced Wednesday.

Nine Republicans and nine Democrats are part of the coalition supporting the House bill: Reps. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.), Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.), Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), Ted Poe (R-Texas), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Susan Brooks (R-Ind.), Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.), Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.), Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), David Joyce (R-Ohio), Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.).

Provisions of the bipartisan legislation include:

New campus resources and support services for student survivors: Under this legislation, colleges and universities would be required to designate confidential advisors who will serve as a confidential resource for victims of assaults. To encourage individuals to come forward with reports about sexual violence, schools will no longer be allowed to sanction a student who reveals a violation in good faith, such as underage drinking, in the process of reporting a sexual violence claim.
Minimum training standards for on-campus personnel: Currently, a chronic lack of training of on-campus personnel hampers sexual assault investigations and disciplinary processes, often resulting in negative outcomes for survivors. This legislation ensures that everyone from the confidential advisors, to those responsible for investigating and participating in disciplinary proceedings, will now receive specialized training to ensure they have a firm understanding of the nature of these crimes and their effect on survivors.
New historic transparency requirements: For the first time, students at every university in America would be surveyed about their experience with sexual violence to get an accurate picture of this problem. The Department of Education would also be required to publish the names of all schools with pending investigations, final resolutions and voluntary resolution agreements related to Title IX.
Campus accountability and coordination with law enforcement: All schools would now be required to use a uniform process for campus disciplinary proceedings and may no longer allow athletic departments or other subgroups to handle complaints of sexual violence for members of that subgroup alone. This legislation will require colleges and universities to enter into memoranda of understanding with all applicable local law enforcement agencies to clearly delineate responsibilities and share information so that when an assault occurs, both campus authorities and local authorities can focus on solving the crime rather than debating jurisdiction.
Enforceable Title IX penalties and stiffer penalties for Clery Act violations: Schools that don't comply with certain requirements under the bill may face a penalty of up to 1 percent of the institution's operating budget. Previously, the only allowable penalty was the loss of all financial aid, which is not practical and has never been done. The bill would also increase penalties for Clery Act violations to as much as $150,000 per violation, up from the current penalty of $35,000.

Source