Last progress May 8, 2025 (7 months ago)
Introduced on May 8, 2025 by Randy Fine
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill aims to prevent antisemitic harassment on college campuses and adds protections for religion under federal civil rights law. It adds religion to the list of protected grounds for any program that gets federal funds, but this new rule does not apply to programs run by or affiliated with religious organizations, including student religious groups. It also says a college can be held responsible if it is deliberately indifferent to harassment that is so severe, widespread, and clearly offensive that it effectively denies a student equal access to education. The bill states that the government will enforce the law against antisemitic discrimination as strongly as other forms and defines antisemitism as hatred toward Jews, including actions against individuals, property, or Jewish institutions.
Colleges could face fines for repeated violations. A second confirmed violation in the same program within five years brings a fine of at least 10% of that program’s federal funds; a third brings at least 33%. The Education Department must also monitor private lawsuits on this issue, schools found in violation must notify all students, faculty, and staff, and the Department must report to Congress when it imposes fines. Agencies and courts can consider how well an institution prevents and fixes discrimination and may appoint a monitor to oversee remedies. The bill also says it does not expand the Education Secretary’s powers or limit First Amendment rights.