S. 558 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Feb 13, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryAdds antisemitism guidance to civil rights investigations
Right now, the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights investigates complaints of discrimination at schools and colleges that receive federal money. This bill would tell that office to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism when looking into discrimination complaints. The definition describes antisemitism as a certain perception of Jews that may be expressed as hatred toward them.
How it affects you
If you're a student or work at a school that gets federal funding, this could affect how discrimination complaints involving antisemitism are reviewed. Schools would use a specific definition when deciding whether antisemitic conduct violates civil rights rules. The official summary doesn't spell out exactly what would change in practice for students or staff.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Feb 13, 2025)
Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025
This bill provides statutory authority for the requirement that the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights take into consideration the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA's) working definition of antisemitism when reviewing or investigating complaints of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. According to the IHRA's working definition, antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.
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. 558
A BILL
Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) · Introduced Feb 13, 2025 · Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues · 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.”