Campus Accountability and Safety Act (S. 4962)

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

If passed, this bill would change how colleges handle sexual assault reports and disciplinary proceedings, potentially imposing civil penalties of up to 1% of an institution's operating budget for non-compliance.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Institutions of higher education

Must implement new reporting, staffing, and disciplinary procedures or face civil penalties.

Students

Gain access to new support specialists, uniform disciplinary processes, and increased transparency regarding campus safety.

Sexual assault survivors

Receive access to trauma-informed specialists and protections against retaliation when reporting.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Background

The Clery Act is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. context
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. context

Summary

This bill updates federal campus safety laws to require colleges to provide more detailed reporting on sexual violence, appoint dedicated support specialists for survivors, and maintain a public, searchable website for campus safety data. It also mandates new trauma-informed training for school officials and establishes uniform disciplinary processes for cases involving sexual misconduct.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 'sexual and interpersonal violence specialist'?

A designated staff member, not involved in disciplinary adjudication, who provides trauma-informed support, explains rights, and helps complainants navigate reporting options.

Will I be punished if I report sexual assault but was drinking alcohol at the time?

The bill encourages institutions to adopt an '' so that students reporting in good faith are not sanctioned for minor conduct violations like alcohol or drug use revealed during the report.

How will I know if my college has been investigated for sexual harassment?

The bill requires the Department of Education to maintain a public, searchable website listing pending investigations, enforcement actions, and final resolutions for all institutions.

Why It Matters

If passed, this bill would change how colleges handle sexual assault reports and disciplinary proceedings, potentially imposing civil penalties of up to 1% of an institution's operating budget for non-compliance.

News Coverage

Lean Left1

1 source

Blind spot - no right-leaning coverage

LL

Ed. Dept. Dismissed 90% of Discrimination Cases, Report Says

The Florida Star (Jacksonville)Mar 20, 2026

A government audit found that the Department of Education closed 90% of discrimination complaints without a full investigation. Additionally, a failed attempt to cut staff in the department's civil rights office cost taxpayers up to $38 million in legal and administrative expenses.

Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Shift toward trauma-informed mandates

The bill moves from general reporting requirements to mandating specific trauma-informed training and the creation of specialized support roles.

Department of Education

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy60
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz40
Current news / social attention level