S. 163 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jan 21, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires colleges to share civil rights complaint information
This bill makes sure students know how to report discrimination based on race, color, or national origin at their college. The Department of Education's civil rights office has to run a yearly public awareness campaign about these rights, and colleges have to post information about how to file complaints in easy-to-find spots on campus and online. The bill also requires the civil rights office to give Congress monthly updates on how many complaints come in and how they're being handled.
How it affects you
If you're a student at a college that gets federal funding, you'll have clearer ways to learn about your rights and report discrimination if it happens to you. Colleges will need to make this information visible and easy to access. Congress will also get regular reports on how these complaints are being processed, which means there's more oversight of how civil rights complaints are handled.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jan 21, 2025)
Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025
This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) participating in federal student aid programs to distribute information on how to report alleged violations of civil rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs or activities.)
Specifically, the bill requires ED's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to conduct a public awareness campaign regarding the rights of individuals under Title VI. This campaign must be updated annually and distributed to IHEs.
The bill requires an IHE to post a link on its website on how to file a Title VI complaint with OCR. Additionally, the IHE must annually post the materials from OCR's public awareness campaign. The information must be posted in high-traffic public places on campus (e.g., student centers) and high-traffic websites (e.g., the website for student services).
OCR must give monthly congressional briefings on (1) the number of complaints filed with OCR, (2) how OCR plans to address those complaints and the investigations opened in response to those complaints, and (3) how long those complaints remain open. Additionally, the bill prohibits OCR from closing or dismissing a complaint due to resolution via another agency or avenue.
The bill also requires annual reporting by IHEs on discrimination complaints. Further, the bill directs ED's Office of Inspector General to audit and study discrimination complaints.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 163
A BILL
Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) · Introduced Jan 21, 2025 · Education · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 30, 2025: “Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.”