Amended IN Assembly August 24, 2020 Amended IN Assembly August 12, 2019 Amended IN Senate May 17, 2019 Amended IN Senate April 30, 2019 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 493Introduced by Senator Jackson(Coauthor: Senator Mitchell)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan, Boerner Horvath, Cristina Garcia, Gonzalez, Limn, and Petrie-Norris)February 21, 2019 An act to amend Section 66262.5 of, and to add Section 66281.8 to, the Education Code, relating to education.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 493, as amended, Jackson. Education: sex equity.Existing federal law, known as Title IX, prohibits a person, on the basis of sex, from being excluded from participation in, being denied the benefits of, or being subject to discrimination, which includes sexual harassment, under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. A portion of the Donahoe Higher Education Act, known as the Equity in Higher Education Act declares, among other things, that it is the policy of the State of California that all persons, regardless of their sex, should enjoy freedom from discrimination of any kind in the educational institutions of the state. Existing law provides that a party to a written complaint of prohibited discrimination at certain public postsecondary educational institutions may appeal the action to specified bodies. Existing law also requires that persons who have filed a complaint of prohibited discrimination be advised by the educational institution that civil law remedies may also be available to the complainant.This bill would require require, no later than January 1, 2022, except as specified, a postsecondary institution that receives state funds, including funds for student financial assistance, assistance to comply with requirements relating to the protection of students from, and providing students with procedural protections relating to complaints of, sexual harassment. In particular, the bill would require the governing board or body of each of these institutions to (1) disseminate a notice of nondiscrimination to each employee, volunteer, and individual or entity contracted with the institution, (2) designate at least one employee of the institution to coordinate its efforts to comply with its responsibilities specified in this act, (3) adopt rules and procedures for the prevention of sexual harassment, (4) create reasonable procedures for the investigation of policy violations, (5) adopt and publish on its internet website grievance procedures providing for the prompt and equitable resolution of sexual harassment complaints, (6) (5) publish on the institutions internet website the name, title, and contact information for the Title IX coordinator or other employee designated to coordinate the institutions efforts to comply with and carry out the responsibilities specified in this act and any individual official with the authority to investigate complaints or to institute corrective measures, as specified, (7) (6) include specified training to each employee engaged in the grievance procedure, (8) (7) include annual training for residential life student and nonstudent staff for the trauma-informed handling of reports regarding incidents of sexual harassment or violence at an institution with on-campus housing, (9) (8) notify employees of the obligation to report sexual harassment to appropriate school officials, and (10) (9) provide training to all employees on the identification of sexual harassment. This bill would authorize the Attorney General and any student or former student who alleges to have suffered injury in fact caused by a violation of these provisions to bring an action in a court to enjoin, or recover specified damages for, a violation of its provisions, as specified. The bill would authorize a court to assess a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500 per day of violation and $50,000 total per violation, against a postsecondary institution found to have violated this act in an action brought by the Attorney General. The bill would authorize enforcement of these provisions through a civil action brought pursuant to existing law, as specified. By imposing new duties on community college districts, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Education has long been recognized as the great equalizer in the United States.(b) Protecting students civil rights, including the right to an educational environment free from discrimination, is of paramount importance. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, has a devastating impact on students lives and prevents equal access to education as required under California law.(c) The Legislature recognizes that sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence, harms all students, undermines students physical safety, impedes students ability to learn, and can reinforce social inequality throughout a students lifetime.(d) Sexual harassment and violence in higher education is pervasive. According to research published by the American Association of University Women, during college, 62 percent of women and 61 percent of men experience sexual harassment. The Association of American Universities (AAU) survey of students shows that more than 1 in 5 women and nearly 1 in 18 men are sexually assaulted in college.(e) Historically marginalized and underrepresented groups are more likely to experience sexual harassment than their peers. Research from GLSEN and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than one-half of LGBTQ students 13 to 21 years of age, inclusive, are sexually harassed at school. An AAU survey indicates that nearly one in four transgender and gender-nonconforming students are sexually assaulted during college. According to a National Womens Law Center (NWLC) report, students with disabilities are 2.9 times more likely than their peers to be sexually assaulted.(f) Existing law prohibits institutions of higher education that receive state funding from discriminating on the basis of sex.(g) Existing law requires all higher educational institutions that receive state funding to adopt trauma-informed policies concerning sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking involving a student, both on and off campus.(h) Existing law requires the application of an affirmative consent standard and prohibits consideration of past sexual relations as probative by themselves of ongoing or repeated affirmative consent between parties.(i) Sexual harassment occurs both on campus and in off-campus spaces associated with school. Nationwide, nearly 9 in 10 college students live off campus and 41 percent of college sexual assaults involve off-campus parties. Research by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network indicates that only 8 percent of all sexual assaults occur on school property.(j) Survivors generally underreport instances of sexual harassment and assault. The NWLC reports that only 12 percent of college survivors report sexual assault to their schools or the police. (k) Every student has a right to be protected from sexual harassment, including sexual violence, sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in a schools educational programs, activities, and facilities. Each institute institution of higher education has a responsibility to make reasonable efforts to respond effectively when sexual harassment is reported to, or observed by, college and university faculty and staff, including on-campus housing employees, such as residential advisors. advisers.(l) The Legislature affirms that institutions of higher education should conduct prompt and equitable investigations into allegations of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, and that interim accommodations and remedial measures may be necessary during the pendency of an investigation to ensure students safety and equal access to education. When institutions fail to effectively respond to allegations of sexual harassment and violence, the impact on students can be devastating. Research published in the Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice demonstrates that 34 percent of sexual harassment and violence survivors drop out of college.(m) Sexual harassment of students, including certain defined acts of sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.), and its implementing regulations in Part 106 of Chapter 1 of Subtitle B of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(n) The Legislature notes the legal distinction between the processes necessary to protect students civil rights to equal access to education and those required to ensure due process in a criminal proceeding. In enacting this bill, it is the intent of the Legislature to account for the significant individual civil consequences faced by respondents charged with committing alleged to have committed sexual violence as well as the significant harm to individual victims complainants and to education equity more generally if sexual violence goes unaddressed.(o) It is the intent of the Legislature to define sexual harassment to include sexual violence, as defined in Section 66262.5 of the Education Code, for the purposes of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 200) of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 1 and the Equity in Higher Education Act established in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 66250) of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code.(p) It is the intent of the Legislature that each higher education institution that receives state funds for student financial assistance, and their respective governing boards or bodies, comply with the requirements of this act as a condition of receiving that financial assistance.(q) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide additional civil rights protections to students in California institutions of higher education and that this chapter be interpreted consistent with Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 11135) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1981, 2000d, et seq.), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681, et seq.), Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400, et seq.), the federal Equal Educational Opportunities Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1701, et seq.), the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Sections 51 to 53, inclusive, of the Civil Code), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except where this chapter may grant more protections or impose additional obligations, and the remedies provided herein not be the exclusive remedies, but may be combined with any remedies provided by the above-cited statutes.(r) This bill is intended to clarify the process for adjudicating complaints of sexual or gender-based violence, including dating or domestic violence, at postsecondary educational institutions in the State of California. SEC. 2. Section 66262.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:66262.5. (a) (1) Sexual harassment has the same meaning as defined in Section 212.5 and includes sexual battery, sexual violence, and sexual exploitation. (2) Sexual harassment of students is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Section 66270.(b) For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) Sexual violence means physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person without the persons affirmative consent, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 67386. Physical sexual acts include all both of the following: (A) Rape, defined as penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by copulation of a sex organ of by another person, without the consent of the victim.(B) The intentional touching of another persons intimate parts. Sexual battery, as defined in paragraph (2).(C)The use of duress or force, or the attempt to use duress or force, to touch another persons intimate parts.(2) Sexual battery has the same meaning as the acts described in Section 1708.5 of the Civil Code. means the intentional touching of another persons intimate parts without consent, intentionally causing a person to touch the intimate parts of another without consent, or using a persons own intimate part to intentionally touch another persons body without consent.(3) Sexual exploitation means a person taking sexual advantage of another person for the benefit of anyone other than that person without that persons consent, including including, but not limited to, any of the following acts: (A) The prostituting of another person.(B) The trafficking of another person, defined as the inducement of a person to perform a commercial sex act, or labor or services, through force, fraud, or coercion.(C) The recording of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, without that persons consent. (D) The distribution of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, if the individual distributing the images or audio knows or should have known that the person depicted in the images or audio did not consent to the disclosure. (E) The viewing of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, in a place where that other person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without that persons consent, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire. SEC. 3. Section 66281.8 is added to the Education Code, to read:66281.8. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Postsecondary institution means a campus of the University of California, the California State University, or the California Community Colleges, a private postsecondary educational institution, or an independent institution of higher education that receives state funds, including state funds for student financial assistance.(2) (A) Responsible employee means any an employee who has the authority to take action to redress harassment, sexual harassment or provide supportive measures to students, or who has the duty to report sexual harassment to an appropriate school officials sexual harassment or any other misconduct by students or employees, or an individual who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or responsibility. official who has that authority.(B) Responsible employee includes, but is not limited to, those individuals with any of the following positions or substantially similar positions or job duties, regardless of the specific title the institution may attach to the position:(i) Title IX coordinator or other coordinator designated to comply with and carry out the institutions responsibilities under this section.(ii) Residential advisors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.(iii) Housing directors, coordinators, or deans.(iv) Student life directors, coordinators, or deans.(v) Athletic directors, coordinators, or deans.(vi) Coaches of any student athletic or academic team or activity.(vii) Faculty and associate faculty, teachers, instructors, or lecturers.(viii) Graduate student instructors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.(ix) Laboratory directors, coordinators, or principal investigators.(x) Internship or externship directors or coordinators.(xi) Study abroad program directors or coordinators.(C) (i) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), responsible employee does not include those individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) who are also any of the following:(I) A therapist or other professional described in Sections 990, 1010, 1030, 1035, and 1037 of the Evidence Code, including a University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.(II) A University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.(III) A California State University victim advocate or other position with similar responsibilities.(IV) An individual acting in a professional capacity for which confidentiality is mandated by law.(ii) An individual described in clause (i) shall inform each student who provides the individual with information regarding sexual harassment of the students ability to report to a responsible employee and direct the student to those specific reporting resources.(b) In Notwithstanding Section 67400, in order to receive state funds for student financial assistance, assistance, as defined in Section 213, the appropriate governing board or body of each postsecondary institution shall implement, and at all times comply with, all of the following requirements at the institution: (1) It shall disseminate, by electronic or other means, a notice of nondiscrimination, including, but not limited to, all information required to be included in the notice provided pursuant to Section 66281.5, to each: all of the following:(A) Employee Each employee of the postsecondary institution. (B) Volunteer Each volunteer who will regularly interact with students.(C) Individual Each individual or entity under contract with the postsecondary institution to perform any service involving regular interaction with students at the institution. (2) It shall designate at least one employee of the institution to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under this section. The employee may be the same individual as the institutions federal Title IX coordinator. The employee shall have adequate training on what constitutes sexual harassment and on trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices practices, and shall understand how the institutions grievance procedures operate. (3) It shall adopt rules and procedures within the policies required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.) and Section 67386 for the prevention of sexual harassment that also provide for all of the following elements: (A) The institutions primary concern shall be student safety. Any disciplinary measures imposed by the institution for violations of the institutions student conduct policy at or near the time of the incident being investigated shall be consistent with paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386. (B) The institution shall take reasonable steps to respond to sex discrimination each incident of sexual harassment involving individuals subject to the institutions policies that occur in connection with all academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs any educational activity or other program of the institution, as well as incidents that occurred outside of those educational programs or activities, whether those programs take place in the institutions facilities, during travel, at a class or training program sponsored by the institution at another location, or elsewhere they occurred on or off campus where such incidents could interfere with a students equitable access to education. campus, if, based on the allegations, there is any reason to believe that the incident could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education.(C)If a student files a complaint with the institution regarding an incident that took place on campus, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. If a student files a complaint regarding an incident that took place off campus, the institution shall evaluate the complaint to determine if there is a nexus between the off-campus incident and the institution such that the incident could contribute to a hostile environment on campus. If such a nexus exists, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, a nexus to the campus exists whenever the incident complained of is so grievous and the likelihood of continuing to encounter the perpetrator on campus is so credible that inaction would deprive the complainant of the benefits of any education program. The requirements of this subparagraph modify any other provisions in this chapter that are inconsistent with these requirements to the extent that the modification is permissible under state and federal law.(D)If(C) (i) Regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures, if the institution knows, or reasonably should know, about possible sexual harassment that could create a hostile or offensive educational environment on campus, involving individuals subject to the institutions policies at the time, the institution shall promptly investigate. investigate to determine whether the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, or otherwise respond if the institution determines that an investigation is not required. If the institution investigates and determines that sexual harassment creating a hostile environment on campus has the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, whether the harassment occurred on or off campus, it shall immediately take all reasonable steps to eliminate end the harassment, address the hostile environment, if one has been created, prevent its recurrence, and address its affects, regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures. effects. A postsecondary institution shall be deemed to have notice presumed to know of sexual harassment if a responsible employee knew knew, or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known known, about the sexual harassment. The institution may rebut this presumption of knowledge if it shows all of the following:(I) The institution provides training and requires all nonconfidential responsible employees to report sexual harassment.(II) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question was provided training and direction to report sexual harassment.(III) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question failed to report it.(ii) The institution shall consider and respond to requests for accommodations relating to prior incidents of sexual harassment that could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education where both individuals are, at the time of the request, subject to the institutions policies.(D) (i) If a complainant requests confidentiality, which could preclude a meaningful investigation or potential discipline of the potential respondent, or that no investigation or disciplinary action be pursued to address alleged sexual harassment, the institution shall take the request seriously, while at the same time considering its responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including for the complainant. The institution shall generally grant the request. In determining whether to disclose a complainants identity or proceed to an investigation over the objection of the complainant, the institution may consider whether any of the following apply:(I) There are multiple or prior reports of sexual misconduct against the respondent.(II) The respondent reportedly used a weapon, physical restraints, or engaged in battery.(III) The respondent is a faculty or staff member with oversight of students.(IV) There is a power imbalance between the complainant and respondent.(V) The complainant believes that the complainant will be less safe if the complainants name is disclosed or an investigation is conducted.(VI) The institution is able to conduct a thorough investigation and obtain relevant evidence in the absence of the complainants cooperation.(ii) If the institution determines that it can honor the students request for confidentiality, it shall still take reasonable steps to respond to the complaint, consistent with the request, to limit the effects of the alleged sexual harassment and prevent its recurrence without initiating formal action against the alleged perpetrator or revealing the identity of the complainant. These steps may include increased monitoring, supervision, or security at locations or activities where the alleged misconduct occurred; providing additional training and education materials for students and employees; or conducting climate surveys regarding sexual violence. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant while keeping the complainants identity confidential as appropriate. These steps may include changing living arrangements or course schedules, assignments, or tests. The complainant shall be notified that the steps the institution will take to respond to the complaint will be limited by the request for confidentiality.(iii) If the institution determines that it must disclose the complainants identity to the respondent or proceed with an investigation, it shall inform the complainant prior to making this disclosure or initiating the investigation. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant where appropriate. In the event the complainant requests that the institution inform the respondent that the student asked the institution not to investigate or seek discipline, the institution shall honor this request.(4)It shall create reasonable procedures for the process to investigate violations of the policies adopted or amended pursuant to this section, including instituting reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, deadlines, and page or word limitations on student party submissions, in order that parties may be aware of and can follow those procedures. The institution shall include, but is not limited to including pursuant to these procedures, a prohibition on the consideration of past sexual relations by themselves as probative of whether the alleged incident occurred.(5)(4) (A) It shall adopt and publish on its internet website grievance procedures that provide for prompt and equitable resolution of student sexual harassment complaints filed by a student against an employee, employee or another student, or a third party. student. The grievance procedures shall satisfy all of the following requirements: (i) They shall state that the investigation and adjudication of alleged misconduct under this section is not an adversarial process between the complainant, the respondent, and the witnesses, but rather a process for postsecondary institutions to comply with their obligations under existing law. The complainant does not have the burden to prove, nor does the respondent have the burden to disprove, the underlying allegation or allegations of misconduct.(i)(ii) They shall require notice be provided to each student all students of the grievance procedures, including where and how complaints may be filed.(ii)They shall ensure that a neutral factfinder is the person responsible for investigating the complaint, finding the facts, and making credibility assessments in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, and that person is not the same person or entity responsible for making disciplinary decisions.(iii) They shall ensure that the persons or entities responsible for conducting investigations, finding facts, and making disciplinary decisions are neutral.(iii)(iv) They shall ensure trauma-informed and impartial investigation of complaints, including the opportunity for both parties complaints. Student parties shall be given an opportunity to identify witnesses and other evidence to assist the institution in determining whether a policy violation has occurred. occurred, and shall be informed that any evidence available but not disclosed during the investigation might not be considered at a subsequent hearing.(iv)They shall provide student parties the opportunity to cross-examine one another and any adverse witnesses, if the institution determines that a hearing is required in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, subject to the following rules:(I)The cross-examination shall be live, but either party and any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.(II)The live cross-examination of either party and any witnesses shall be conducted indirectly, through the submission of written questions to the neutral factfinder in advance and with an opportunity for the other party to object.The neutral factfinder shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the neutral factfinder deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the neutral factfinder is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence. The neutral factfinder shall provide a mechanism for both parties to ask, indirectly, through the neutral factfinder, and subject to objections, followup questions to be posed to the cross-examinee.(v) They shall include reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, and may include page or word limitations on party submissions.(vi) They shall include all of the following:(I) The investigator or hearing office shall not consider the past sexual history of a complainant or respondent except in the limited circumstances permitted by this clause.(II) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider prior or subsequent sexual history between the complainant and anyone other than the respondent for any reason unless directly relevant to prove that physical injuries alleged to have been inflicted by the respondent were inflicted by another individual.(III) (ia) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider the existence of a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent unless the evidence is relevant to how the parties communicated consent in prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations.(ib) Where the investigator or hearing officer allows consideration of evidence about a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent pursuant to sub-subclause (ia), the mere fact that the complainant and respondent engaged in other consensual sexual relations with one another is never sufficient, by itself, to establish that the conduct in question was consensual.(IV) Before allowing the consideration of any evidence proffered pursuant to this subdivision, the investigator or hearing officer shall provide a written explanation to the parties as to why consideration of the evidence is consistent with this clause.(vii) They shall prohibit questions of either party or of any witness that are repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing.(viii) They shall provide that the institution shall decide whether or not a hearing is necessary to determine whether any sexual violence more likely than not occurred. In making this decision, an institution may consider whether the parties elected to participate in the investigation and whether each party had the opportunity to suggest questions to be asked of the other party or witnesses, or both, during the investigation. Any hearing shall be subject to the following rules:(I) Any cross-examination of either party or any witness shall not be conducted directly by a party or a partys advisor.(II) Either party or any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.(III) Student parties shall have the opportunity to submit written questions to the hearing officer in advance of the hearing. At the hearing, the other party shall have an opportunity to note an objection to the questions posed. The institution may limit such objections to written form, and neither the hearing officer nor the institution are obligated to respond, other than to include any objection in the record. The hearing officer shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the hearing officer deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the hearing officer is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence.(IV) Generally, the parties may not introduce evidence, including witness testimony, at the hearing that the party did not identify during the investigation and that was available at the time of the investigation. However, the hearing officer has discretion to accept for good cause, or exclude, such new evidence offered at the hearing.(v)(ix) They shall provide an explanation of the meaning of a the preponderance of the evidence standard, and affirm that it shall apply to all investigations of sexual harassment or sexual violence. adjudications under this section. The preponderance of the evidence standard is met if the neutral factfinder institution determines that it is more likely than not that the alleged misconduct occurred, based on the facts available to the neutral factfinder at the time of the decision.(vi)(x) They shall provide a reasonably prompt timeframe for all of the major stages of the complaint process, as well as a process for extending the institutions timelines for good cause only, and shall provide for the prompt communication of that information to the complainant and respondent in a complaint. respondent. The communicated timeline information shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, each of the following: (I) The period during which the institution shall conduct an any investigation.(II) The date by which the parties shall be notified of the outcome of the any investigation.(III) The deadlines and process for parties to appeal, if the institutions grievance procedures include an appeals process. Institutions shall ensure that any rights of appeal are equally available to complainants and respondents.(xi) They shall provide that the institution shall not unreasonably deny a student partys request for an extension of a deadline related to a complaint during periods of examinations or school closures.(vii)(xii) They shall provide for periodic status updates on the investigation consistent with the timelines referenced in clause (vi) (x) to the complainant and respondent. (viii)(xiii) They shall provide for notice in writing to parties of any extension of a time period granted in the investigation and factfinding fact-finding process which that would change the prospective timeframes for the major stages of the complaint process, and the reason for that extension. (ix)(xiv) They shall provide for written notice to parties of the outcome of the complaint, including whether a policy violation was found to have occurred, the basis for that determination, including factual findings, and any discipline imposed.(x)(xv) They shall provide assurance that the institution will take steps to prevent recurrence of any harassment and to correct its discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, if appropriate. (xi)(xvi) They shall require that student parties receive notice that if the institution is conducting a formal investigation. The notice shall include the allegations and the alleged institutional policy violations under review. Any new allegations that arise during the course of the investigation that could subject either party to new or additional sanctions shall be subject to the same notice requirements.(xii)(xvii) They shall afford both student parties the opportunity to each have a support person or adviser accompany a the student party during key stages of the investigation and hearing processes, if requested. any stage of the process.(xviii) They shall advise student parties of their right to consult with an attorney, at their own expense, at any stage of the process if they wish to do so. An attorney may serve as a support person or adviser pursuant to clause (xvii).(xiii)(xix) They shall require that student parties receive a notice regarding appropriate counseling resources developed and maintained by the institution for student parties in school misconduct matters involving sexualviolence. harassment.The notice shall also advise student parties of their right to seek the assistance of an attorney at any stage of the process if they wish to do so.(xiv)(xx) They shall allow either party to appeal the outcome of the grievance proceeding if the institution has such an appeals process for an investigation pursuant to this section. process. An institutions grievance procedure may limit the grounds for an appeal, provided that any limitation shall apply equally to all parties. parties and that the nonappealing party shall have an opportunity to respond to the appeal.(xv)(xxi) They shall outline the possible interim measures that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation, the supportive measures that may be provided in the absence of an investigation, and the disciplinary outcomes, remedial measures, and systemic remedies that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation and following follow a final finding of responsibility, pursuant subject to all of the following:(I) An institution shall not mandate mediation to resolve allegations of sexual violence. harassment, and shall not allow mediation, even on a voluntary basis, to resolve allegations of sexual violence.(II) An institution shall not require that the complainant enter a voluntary resolution agreement or any other form of resolution as a prerequisite to receiving remedial measures from the institution which safeguard the complainants access to education.(III) (ia) When requested by a complainant or otherwise determined to be appropriate, an institution shall issue an interim no-contact directive prohibiting the respondent from contacting the complainant during the pendency of the investigation. An institution shall not issue an interim mutual no-contact directive automatically when an allegation of harm has been made against only one of the parties and shall only issue a mutual no-contact directive if there is reason to believe that the complainant has harmed or threatened to harm the respondent, or has interfered with, or threatened behavior that would interfere with, the investigation or disciplinary proceedings through contact with the respondent. automatically, but instead shall consider the specific circumstances of each case to determine whether a mutual no-contact directive is necessary or justifiable to protect the noncomplaining partys safety or well-being, or to respond to interference with an investigation. A no-contact directive issued after a decision of responsibility has been made by a neutral decisionmaker shall be unilateral and only apply against the party found responsible.(ib) Upon the issuance of a mutual no-contact directive, an institution shall provide the party or parties subject to that directive parties with a written justification for the directive and an explanation of the terms of the directive, directive. Upon the issuance of any no-contact directive, the institution shall provide the parties with an explanation of the terms of the directive, including the circumstances, if any, under which violation could be subject to disciplinary action.(xvi)(xxii) They shall describe the obligations of all faculty and staff designated by the institution as required to report concerns of sexual harassment to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee, consistent with the requirement in paragraph (2). An individual who has a confidential relationship with a student or students by law is exempt from having to report sexual harassment concerns to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee. employee, unless otherwise required by law.(xvii)(xxiii) They shall contain a requirement that the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or that employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee assess each report of sexual harassment and provide outreach, as appropriate, to each identifiable student who is alleged to be the victim of the reported conduct. The outreach shall include all of the following information:(I) The institution has received a report that the student may have been a victim of sexual harassment.(II) The prohibition of retaliation. A statement that retaliation for filing a complaint or participating in a complaint process, or both, under this section is prohibited.(III) Behavioral health services at Counseling resources within the institution or in the community.(IV) If there is the possibility of a criminal act, Where a crime may have occurred, notice that the student has the right, but not the obligation, to report the matter to law enforcement.(V) The institutions investigation procedures established pursuant to the requirements of this section.(VI) Potential interim measures, such as no-contact directives, housing changes, and academic schedule changes, where applicable.(VII) The importance of preserving evidence.(VIII) A request for the student to meet with the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee to discuss options for responding to the report.(IX) The manner in which the institution responds to reports of sexual harassment and a description of potential disciplinary consequences.(B) The grievance procedures shall also provide a process for a student to report sexual harassment by a third party. The institution shall respond to those reports to address or prevent a hostile educational environment or to ensure students access to education. Nothing in this paragraph section shall establish any duty or obligation owed by a postsecondary institution to nonstudent parties that does not already exist by statute or agreement.(6)(5) It shall publish in a prominent place on its internet website, with accompanying text clearly associating them with the sexual harassment and sexual violence grievance processes, the name, title, and contact information, which shall include the telephone number, office location, and email address, of each of the following individuals:(A) The employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee. Title IX coordinator or other designated employee.(B) Any individual official within the institution with the authority to investigate complaints made pursuant to this section or to institute corrective measures such as sanctions, accommodation, accommodations, or other forms of resolution of the complaint.(7)(6) (A) It shall provide the mandatory training required pursuant to described in paragraph (12) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386 to each employee engaged in the grievance procedures related to sex discrimination, including sexual violence, which shall include for these employees training on (i) trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices that help ensure an impartial and equitable process, (ii) best practices for assessment of a sexual harassment or sexual violence complaint, (iii) best practices for questioning of the complainant, respondent, and witnesses, and on (iv) implicit bias and racial inequities, both broadly and in school disciplinary processes.(B) Materials approved by the institution for this training shall include statistics on the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual violence in the educational setting, and the differing rates at which students experience sexual harassment and sexual assault in the educational setting based on their race, sexual orientation, disability, gender, and gender identity. When possible, citation to such statistics shall be included in the written antidiscrimination sexual harassment policies required by Section 66281.5 accompanying the institutions grievance procedures.(8)(7) If the institution has on-campus housing, it shall ensure that residential life student and nonstudent staff, or their equivalent, annually receive training on how to handle, in a trauma-informed manner, reports made to them of sexual harassment or sexual violence, and situations in which they are aware of sexual harassment or sexual violence, in student residential facilities.(9)(8) It shall notify employees of the obligation to report harassment to appropriate school officials.(10)(9) It shall provide training to all employees on the identification of sexual harassment, including the person to whom it should be reported. This paragraph does not require an institution to provide separate training for identification of sexual harassment. The school may include this requirement in existing employee training on sexual harassment.(c) This section does not require a school to provide separate grievance procedures for student sexual harassment complaints. The school may use student disciplinary procedures or other separate procedures to resolve sexual harassment complaints. Any procedures used to investigate complaints of sexual harassment, including disciplinary procedures, shall afford a complainant and a respondent a prompt and equitable resolution. If the school relies on existing procedures for compliance with the requirements of this section, the Title IX officer or designated employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) shall review the schools procedures to ensure that they comply with the requirements of this section.(d)(1)Either of the following persons may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin a violation of this section or to recover compensatory damages, court costs, and reasonable attorneys fees, or any combination thereof, as specified: (A)The Attorney General, consistent with the Attorney Generals existing authority under Section 13 of Article V of the California Constitution and Article 2 (commencing with Section 11180) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to investigate, and, as necessary, prosecute any violation of the law. The Attorney General may also conduct an investigation or bring an action under this section.(B)A postsecondary institution student or former student who alleges to have suffered injury in fact. The violation shall allegedly be the proximate cause of the injury in fact.(2)A violation of this section is established by the Attorney General or a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) by demonstrating in an action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction any of the following:(A)That a recipient institutions written policy does not conform to the requirements of this section.(B)That a recipient institution engages in a nonconforming process that does not substantially and materially comply with its written policy.(C)That a recipient institution, by an act or actions of one of its employees, knowingly violated the requirements of this section. (3)(A)Notwithstanding any other law, prior to filing a civil action, a person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section shall give written notice by certified mail to the postsecondary institution and to the Attorney General, of the specific provisions of this section alleged to have been violated, including the facts and theories to support the alleged violation and injury.(B)A person alleging injury may commence a civil action seeking damages 90 days after the date of the postsecondary institutions receipt of the notice.(C)A person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section may commence a civil action exclusively seeking injunctive relief at any time following written notice pursuant to subparagraph (A).(4)A court may grant compensatory damages as relief in any action filed pursuant to this section by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) provided all of the following are demonstrated:(A)The person suffered an injury in fact.(B)The defendant institution was in violation of this section, as described in paragraph (2), at the time of the alleged injury.(C)The violation of this section by the defendant institution was a proximate cause of the alleged injury.(5)In civil actions brought by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), the court, in its discretion, may award to the prevailing party reasonable attorneys fees and costs, including expert witness fees, except that, notwithstanding Section 998 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a prevailing defendant shall not be awarded fees and costs unless the court finds the action was frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless when brought, or the plaintiff continued to litigate after it clearly became so.(6)A person shall bring an action alleging a violation of this section no later than the statute of limitations applicable to a personal injury claim in California at the time the cause of action accrues.(7)In addition to compensatory damages, injunctive relief or other remedies appropriate to the circumstances may also be available to injured parties who file a civil action under this section.(8)If an action brought by the Attorney General establishes a postsecondary institution violated this section pursuant to subdivision (B), the court may assess a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per day the postsecondary institution remains in violation, and not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) total per violation. In determining the amount of the penalty, the court shall consider all of the following:(A)The extent and seriousness of the violation.(B)Any failure to address previously identified violations.(C)Any demonstrated harm imposed by the violation.(9)An action for damages pursuant to this subdivision shall not be subject to the claims presentation requirements of the Government Claims Act (Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1 of the Government Code).(d) A violation of this section may constitute discrimination and shall be subject to a civil action brought pursuant to Sections 66292.3 and 66292.4.(e) The requirements of this section shall be implemented at each postsecondary institution by no later than January 1, 2021. 2022.(f) If on or after the date of implementation, any provision of the act that adds this section conflicts with federal law, that provision shall be rendered inoperative for the duration of the conflict and without affecting the whole.(g) (1) Any case law interpreting procedural requirements or process that is due to student complainants or respondents when adjudicating complaints of sexual or gender-based violence, including dating or domestic violence, at postsecondary educational institutions in the State of California shall have no retroactive effect. (2) Any case law that conflicts with the provisions of the act that adds this section shall be superseded as of this statutes effective date. SEC. 4. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
Amended IN Assembly August 24, 2020 Amended IN Assembly August 12, 2019 Amended IN Senate May 17, 2019 Amended IN Senate April 30, 2019 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 493Introduced by Senator Jackson(Coauthor: Senator Mitchell)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan, Boerner Horvath, Cristina Garcia, Gonzalez, Limn, and Petrie-Norris)February 21, 2019 An act to amend Section 66262.5 of, and to add Section 66281.8 to, the Education Code, relating to education.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 493, as amended, Jackson. Education: sex equity.Existing federal law, known as Title IX, prohibits a person, on the basis of sex, from being excluded from participation in, being denied the benefits of, or being subject to discrimination, which includes sexual harassment, under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. A portion of the Donahoe Higher Education Act, known as the Equity in Higher Education Act declares, among other things, that it is the policy of the State of California that all persons, regardless of their sex, should enjoy freedom from discrimination of any kind in the educational institutions of the state. Existing law provides that a party to a written complaint of prohibited discrimination at certain public postsecondary educational institutions may appeal the action to specified bodies. Existing law also requires that persons who have filed a complaint of prohibited discrimination be advised by the educational institution that civil law remedies may also be available to the complainant.This bill would require require, no later than January 1, 2022, except as specified, a postsecondary institution that receives state funds, including funds for student financial assistance, assistance to comply with requirements relating to the protection of students from, and providing students with procedural protections relating to complaints of, sexual harassment. In particular, the bill would require the governing board or body of each of these institutions to (1) disseminate a notice of nondiscrimination to each employee, volunteer, and individual or entity contracted with the institution, (2) designate at least one employee of the institution to coordinate its efforts to comply with its responsibilities specified in this act, (3) adopt rules and procedures for the prevention of sexual harassment, (4) create reasonable procedures for the investigation of policy violations, (5) adopt and publish on its internet website grievance procedures providing for the prompt and equitable resolution of sexual harassment complaints, (6) (5) publish on the institutions internet website the name, title, and contact information for the Title IX coordinator or other employee designated to coordinate the institutions efforts to comply with and carry out the responsibilities specified in this act and any individual official with the authority to investigate complaints or to institute corrective measures, as specified, (7) (6) include specified training to each employee engaged in the grievance procedure, (8) (7) include annual training for residential life student and nonstudent staff for the trauma-informed handling of reports regarding incidents of sexual harassment or violence at an institution with on-campus housing, (9) (8) notify employees of the obligation to report sexual harassment to appropriate school officials, and (10) (9) provide training to all employees on the identification of sexual harassment. This bill would authorize the Attorney General and any student or former student who alleges to have suffered injury in fact caused by a violation of these provisions to bring an action in a court to enjoin, or recover specified damages for, a violation of its provisions, as specified. The bill would authorize a court to assess a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500 per day of violation and $50,000 total per violation, against a postsecondary institution found to have violated this act in an action brought by the Attorney General. The bill would authorize enforcement of these provisions through a civil action brought pursuant to existing law, as specified. By imposing new duties on community college districts, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
Amended IN Assembly August 24, 2020 Amended IN Assembly August 12, 2019 Amended IN Senate May 17, 2019 Amended IN Senate April 30, 2019
Amended IN Assembly August 24, 2020
Amended IN Assembly August 12, 2019
Amended IN Senate May 17, 2019
Amended IN Senate April 30, 2019
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20192020 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 493
Introduced by Senator Jackson(Coauthor: Senator Mitchell)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan, Boerner Horvath, Cristina Garcia, Gonzalez, Limn, and Petrie-Norris)February 21, 2019
Introduced by Senator Jackson(Coauthor: Senator Mitchell)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan, Boerner Horvath, Cristina Garcia, Gonzalez, Limn, and Petrie-Norris)
February 21, 2019
An act to amend Section 66262.5 of, and to add Section 66281.8 to, the Education Code, relating to education.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 493, as amended, Jackson. Education: sex equity.
Existing federal law, known as Title IX, prohibits a person, on the basis of sex, from being excluded from participation in, being denied the benefits of, or being subject to discrimination, which includes sexual harassment, under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. A portion of the Donahoe Higher Education Act, known as the Equity in Higher Education Act declares, among other things, that it is the policy of the State of California that all persons, regardless of their sex, should enjoy freedom from discrimination of any kind in the educational institutions of the state. Existing law provides that a party to a written complaint of prohibited discrimination at certain public postsecondary educational institutions may appeal the action to specified bodies. Existing law also requires that persons who have filed a complaint of prohibited discrimination be advised by the educational institution that civil law remedies may also be available to the complainant.This bill would require require, no later than January 1, 2022, except as specified, a postsecondary institution that receives state funds, including funds for student financial assistance, assistance to comply with requirements relating to the protection of students from, and providing students with procedural protections relating to complaints of, sexual harassment. In particular, the bill would require the governing board or body of each of these institutions to (1) disseminate a notice of nondiscrimination to each employee, volunteer, and individual or entity contracted with the institution, (2) designate at least one employee of the institution to coordinate its efforts to comply with its responsibilities specified in this act, (3) adopt rules and procedures for the prevention of sexual harassment, (4) create reasonable procedures for the investigation of policy violations, (5) adopt and publish on its internet website grievance procedures providing for the prompt and equitable resolution of sexual harassment complaints, (6) (5) publish on the institutions internet website the name, title, and contact information for the Title IX coordinator or other employee designated to coordinate the institutions efforts to comply with and carry out the responsibilities specified in this act and any individual official with the authority to investigate complaints or to institute corrective measures, as specified, (7) (6) include specified training to each employee engaged in the grievance procedure, (8) (7) include annual training for residential life student and nonstudent staff for the trauma-informed handling of reports regarding incidents of sexual harassment or violence at an institution with on-campus housing, (9) (8) notify employees of the obligation to report sexual harassment to appropriate school officials, and (10) (9) provide training to all employees on the identification of sexual harassment. This bill would authorize the Attorney General and any student or former student who alleges to have suffered injury in fact caused by a violation of these provisions to bring an action in a court to enjoin, or recover specified damages for, a violation of its provisions, as specified. The bill would authorize a court to assess a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500 per day of violation and $50,000 total per violation, against a postsecondary institution found to have violated this act in an action brought by the Attorney General. The bill would authorize enforcement of these provisions through a civil action brought pursuant to existing law, as specified. By imposing new duties on community college districts, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Existing federal law, known as Title IX, prohibits a person, on the basis of sex, from being excluded from participation in, being denied the benefits of, or being subject to discrimination, which includes sexual harassment, under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. A portion of the Donahoe Higher Education Act, known as the Equity in Higher Education Act declares, among other things, that it is the policy of the State of California that all persons, regardless of their sex, should enjoy freedom from discrimination of any kind in the educational institutions of the state. Existing law provides that a party to a written complaint of prohibited discrimination at certain public postsecondary educational institutions may appeal the action to specified bodies. Existing law also requires that persons who have filed a complaint of prohibited discrimination be advised by the educational institution that civil law remedies may also be available to the complainant.
This bill would require require, no later than January 1, 2022, except as specified, a postsecondary institution that receives state funds, including funds for student financial assistance, assistance to comply with requirements relating to the protection of students from, and providing students with procedural protections relating to complaints of, sexual harassment. In particular, the bill would require the governing board or body of each of these institutions to (1) disseminate a notice of nondiscrimination to each employee, volunteer, and individual or entity contracted with the institution, (2) designate at least one employee of the institution to coordinate its efforts to comply with its responsibilities specified in this act, (3) adopt rules and procedures for the prevention of sexual harassment, (4) create reasonable procedures for the investigation of policy violations, (5) adopt and publish on its internet website grievance procedures providing for the prompt and equitable resolution of sexual harassment complaints, (6) (5) publish on the institutions internet website the name, title, and contact information for the Title IX coordinator or other employee designated to coordinate the institutions efforts to comply with and carry out the responsibilities specified in this act and any individual official with the authority to investigate complaints or to institute corrective measures, as specified, (7) (6) include specified training to each employee engaged in the grievance procedure, (8) (7) include annual training for residential life student and nonstudent staff for the trauma-informed handling of reports regarding incidents of sexual harassment or violence at an institution with on-campus housing, (9) (8) notify employees of the obligation to report sexual harassment to appropriate school officials, and (10) (9) provide training to all employees on the identification of sexual harassment. This bill would authorize the Attorney General and any student or former student who alleges to have suffered injury in fact caused by a violation of these provisions to bring an action in a court to enjoin, or recover specified damages for, a violation of its provisions, as specified. The bill would authorize a court to assess a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500 per day of violation and $50,000 total per violation, against a postsecondary institution found to have violated this act in an action brought by the Attorney General. The bill would authorize enforcement of these provisions through a civil action brought pursuant to existing law, as specified. By imposing new duties on community college districts, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Education has long been recognized as the great equalizer in the United States.(b) Protecting students civil rights, including the right to an educational environment free from discrimination, is of paramount importance. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, has a devastating impact on students lives and prevents equal access to education as required under California law.(c) The Legislature recognizes that sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence, harms all students, undermines students physical safety, impedes students ability to learn, and can reinforce social inequality throughout a students lifetime.(d) Sexual harassment and violence in higher education is pervasive. According to research published by the American Association of University Women, during college, 62 percent of women and 61 percent of men experience sexual harassment. The Association of American Universities (AAU) survey of students shows that more than 1 in 5 women and nearly 1 in 18 men are sexually assaulted in college.(e) Historically marginalized and underrepresented groups are more likely to experience sexual harassment than their peers. Research from GLSEN and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than one-half of LGBTQ students 13 to 21 years of age, inclusive, are sexually harassed at school. An AAU survey indicates that nearly one in four transgender and gender-nonconforming students are sexually assaulted during college. According to a National Womens Law Center (NWLC) report, students with disabilities are 2.9 times more likely than their peers to be sexually assaulted.(f) Existing law prohibits institutions of higher education that receive state funding from discriminating on the basis of sex.(g) Existing law requires all higher educational institutions that receive state funding to adopt trauma-informed policies concerning sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking involving a student, both on and off campus.(h) Existing law requires the application of an affirmative consent standard and prohibits consideration of past sexual relations as probative by themselves of ongoing or repeated affirmative consent between parties.(i) Sexual harassment occurs both on campus and in off-campus spaces associated with school. Nationwide, nearly 9 in 10 college students live off campus and 41 percent of college sexual assaults involve off-campus parties. Research by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network indicates that only 8 percent of all sexual assaults occur on school property.(j) Survivors generally underreport instances of sexual harassment and assault. The NWLC reports that only 12 percent of college survivors report sexual assault to their schools or the police. (k) Every student has a right to be protected from sexual harassment, including sexual violence, sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in a schools educational programs, activities, and facilities. Each institute institution of higher education has a responsibility to make reasonable efforts to respond effectively when sexual harassment is reported to, or observed by, college and university faculty and staff, including on-campus housing employees, such as residential advisors. advisers.(l) The Legislature affirms that institutions of higher education should conduct prompt and equitable investigations into allegations of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, and that interim accommodations and remedial measures may be necessary during the pendency of an investigation to ensure students safety and equal access to education. When institutions fail to effectively respond to allegations of sexual harassment and violence, the impact on students can be devastating. Research published in the Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice demonstrates that 34 percent of sexual harassment and violence survivors drop out of college.(m) Sexual harassment of students, including certain defined acts of sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.), and its implementing regulations in Part 106 of Chapter 1 of Subtitle B of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(n) The Legislature notes the legal distinction between the processes necessary to protect students civil rights to equal access to education and those required to ensure due process in a criminal proceeding. In enacting this bill, it is the intent of the Legislature to account for the significant individual civil consequences faced by respondents charged with committing alleged to have committed sexual violence as well as the significant harm to individual victims complainants and to education equity more generally if sexual violence goes unaddressed.(o) It is the intent of the Legislature to define sexual harassment to include sexual violence, as defined in Section 66262.5 of the Education Code, for the purposes of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 200) of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 1 and the Equity in Higher Education Act established in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 66250) of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code.(p) It is the intent of the Legislature that each higher education institution that receives state funds for student financial assistance, and their respective governing boards or bodies, comply with the requirements of this act as a condition of receiving that financial assistance.(q) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide additional civil rights protections to students in California institutions of higher education and that this chapter be interpreted consistent with Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 11135) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1981, 2000d, et seq.), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681, et seq.), Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400, et seq.), the federal Equal Educational Opportunities Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1701, et seq.), the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Sections 51 to 53, inclusive, of the Civil Code), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except where this chapter may grant more protections or impose additional obligations, and the remedies provided herein not be the exclusive remedies, but may be combined with any remedies provided by the above-cited statutes.(r) This bill is intended to clarify the process for adjudicating complaints of sexual or gender-based violence, including dating or domestic violence, at postsecondary educational institutions in the State of California. SEC. 2. Section 66262.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:66262.5. (a) (1) Sexual harassment has the same meaning as defined in Section 212.5 and includes sexual battery, sexual violence, and sexual exploitation. (2) Sexual harassment of students is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Section 66270.(b) For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) Sexual violence means physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person without the persons affirmative consent, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 67386. Physical sexual acts include all both of the following: (A) Rape, defined as penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by copulation of a sex organ of by another person, without the consent of the victim.(B) The intentional touching of another persons intimate parts. Sexual battery, as defined in paragraph (2).(C)The use of duress or force, or the attempt to use duress or force, to touch another persons intimate parts.(2) Sexual battery has the same meaning as the acts described in Section 1708.5 of the Civil Code. means the intentional touching of another persons intimate parts without consent, intentionally causing a person to touch the intimate parts of another without consent, or using a persons own intimate part to intentionally touch another persons body without consent.(3) Sexual exploitation means a person taking sexual advantage of another person for the benefit of anyone other than that person without that persons consent, including including, but not limited to, any of the following acts: (A) The prostituting of another person.(B) The trafficking of another person, defined as the inducement of a person to perform a commercial sex act, or labor or services, through force, fraud, or coercion.(C) The recording of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, without that persons consent. (D) The distribution of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, if the individual distributing the images or audio knows or should have known that the person depicted in the images or audio did not consent to the disclosure. (E) The viewing of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, in a place where that other person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without that persons consent, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire. SEC. 3. Section 66281.8 is added to the Education Code, to read:66281.8. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Postsecondary institution means a campus of the University of California, the California State University, or the California Community Colleges, a private postsecondary educational institution, or an independent institution of higher education that receives state funds, including state funds for student financial assistance.(2) (A) Responsible employee means any an employee who has the authority to take action to redress harassment, sexual harassment or provide supportive measures to students, or who has the duty to report sexual harassment to an appropriate school officials sexual harassment or any other misconduct by students or employees, or an individual who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or responsibility. official who has that authority.(B) Responsible employee includes, but is not limited to, those individuals with any of the following positions or substantially similar positions or job duties, regardless of the specific title the institution may attach to the position:(i) Title IX coordinator or other coordinator designated to comply with and carry out the institutions responsibilities under this section.(ii) Residential advisors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.(iii) Housing directors, coordinators, or deans.(iv) Student life directors, coordinators, or deans.(v) Athletic directors, coordinators, or deans.(vi) Coaches of any student athletic or academic team or activity.(vii) Faculty and associate faculty, teachers, instructors, or lecturers.(viii) Graduate student instructors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.(ix) Laboratory directors, coordinators, or principal investigators.(x) Internship or externship directors or coordinators.(xi) Study abroad program directors or coordinators.(C) (i) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), responsible employee does not include those individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) who are also any of the following:(I) A therapist or other professional described in Sections 990, 1010, 1030, 1035, and 1037 of the Evidence Code, including a University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.(II) A University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.(III) A California State University victim advocate or other position with similar responsibilities.(IV) An individual acting in a professional capacity for which confidentiality is mandated by law.(ii) An individual described in clause (i) shall inform each student who provides the individual with information regarding sexual harassment of the students ability to report to a responsible employee and direct the student to those specific reporting resources.(b) In Notwithstanding Section 67400, in order to receive state funds for student financial assistance, assistance, as defined in Section 213, the appropriate governing board or body of each postsecondary institution shall implement, and at all times comply with, all of the following requirements at the institution: (1) It shall disseminate, by electronic or other means, a notice of nondiscrimination, including, but not limited to, all information required to be included in the notice provided pursuant to Section 66281.5, to each: all of the following:(A) Employee Each employee of the postsecondary institution. (B) Volunteer Each volunteer who will regularly interact with students.(C) Individual Each individual or entity under contract with the postsecondary institution to perform any service involving regular interaction with students at the institution. (2) It shall designate at least one employee of the institution to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under this section. The employee may be the same individual as the institutions federal Title IX coordinator. The employee shall have adequate training on what constitutes sexual harassment and on trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices practices, and shall understand how the institutions grievance procedures operate. (3) It shall adopt rules and procedures within the policies required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.) and Section 67386 for the prevention of sexual harassment that also provide for all of the following elements: (A) The institutions primary concern shall be student safety. Any disciplinary measures imposed by the institution for violations of the institutions student conduct policy at or near the time of the incident being investigated shall be consistent with paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386. (B) The institution shall take reasonable steps to respond to sex discrimination each incident of sexual harassment involving individuals subject to the institutions policies that occur in connection with all academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs any educational activity or other program of the institution, as well as incidents that occurred outside of those educational programs or activities, whether those programs take place in the institutions facilities, during travel, at a class or training program sponsored by the institution at another location, or elsewhere they occurred on or off campus where such incidents could interfere with a students equitable access to education. campus, if, based on the allegations, there is any reason to believe that the incident could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education.(C)If a student files a complaint with the institution regarding an incident that took place on campus, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. If a student files a complaint regarding an incident that took place off campus, the institution shall evaluate the complaint to determine if there is a nexus between the off-campus incident and the institution such that the incident could contribute to a hostile environment on campus. If such a nexus exists, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, a nexus to the campus exists whenever the incident complained of is so grievous and the likelihood of continuing to encounter the perpetrator on campus is so credible that inaction would deprive the complainant of the benefits of any education program. The requirements of this subparagraph modify any other provisions in this chapter that are inconsistent with these requirements to the extent that the modification is permissible under state and federal law.(D)If(C) (i) Regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures, if the institution knows, or reasonably should know, about possible sexual harassment that could create a hostile or offensive educational environment on campus, involving individuals subject to the institutions policies at the time, the institution shall promptly investigate. investigate to determine whether the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, or otherwise respond if the institution determines that an investigation is not required. If the institution investigates and determines that sexual harassment creating a hostile environment on campus has the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, whether the harassment occurred on or off campus, it shall immediately take all reasonable steps to eliminate end the harassment, address the hostile environment, if one has been created, prevent its recurrence, and address its affects, regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures. effects. A postsecondary institution shall be deemed to have notice presumed to know of sexual harassment if a responsible employee knew knew, or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known known, about the sexual harassment. The institution may rebut this presumption of knowledge if it shows all of the following:(I) The institution provides training and requires all nonconfidential responsible employees to report sexual harassment.(II) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question was provided training and direction to report sexual harassment.(III) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question failed to report it.(ii) The institution shall consider and respond to requests for accommodations relating to prior incidents of sexual harassment that could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education where both individuals are, at the time of the request, subject to the institutions policies.(D) (i) If a complainant requests confidentiality, which could preclude a meaningful investigation or potential discipline of the potential respondent, or that no investigation or disciplinary action be pursued to address alleged sexual harassment, the institution shall take the request seriously, while at the same time considering its responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including for the complainant. The institution shall generally grant the request. In determining whether to disclose a complainants identity or proceed to an investigation over the objection of the complainant, the institution may consider whether any of the following apply:(I) There are multiple or prior reports of sexual misconduct against the respondent.(II) The respondent reportedly used a weapon, physical restraints, or engaged in battery.(III) The respondent is a faculty or staff member with oversight of students.(IV) There is a power imbalance between the complainant and respondent.(V) The complainant believes that the complainant will be less safe if the complainants name is disclosed or an investigation is conducted.(VI) The institution is able to conduct a thorough investigation and obtain relevant evidence in the absence of the complainants cooperation.(ii) If the institution determines that it can honor the students request for confidentiality, it shall still take reasonable steps to respond to the complaint, consistent with the request, to limit the effects of the alleged sexual harassment and prevent its recurrence without initiating formal action against the alleged perpetrator or revealing the identity of the complainant. These steps may include increased monitoring, supervision, or security at locations or activities where the alleged misconduct occurred; providing additional training and education materials for students and employees; or conducting climate surveys regarding sexual violence. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant while keeping the complainants identity confidential as appropriate. These steps may include changing living arrangements or course schedules, assignments, or tests. The complainant shall be notified that the steps the institution will take to respond to the complaint will be limited by the request for confidentiality.(iii) If the institution determines that it must disclose the complainants identity to the respondent or proceed with an investigation, it shall inform the complainant prior to making this disclosure or initiating the investigation. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant where appropriate. In the event the complainant requests that the institution inform the respondent that the student asked the institution not to investigate or seek discipline, the institution shall honor this request.(4)It shall create reasonable procedures for the process to investigate violations of the policies adopted or amended pursuant to this section, including instituting reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, deadlines, and page or word limitations on student party submissions, in order that parties may be aware of and can follow those procedures. The institution shall include, but is not limited to including pursuant to these procedures, a prohibition on the consideration of past sexual relations by themselves as probative of whether the alleged incident occurred.(5)(4) (A) It shall adopt and publish on its internet website grievance procedures that provide for prompt and equitable resolution of student sexual harassment complaints filed by a student against an employee, employee or another student, or a third party. student. The grievance procedures shall satisfy all of the following requirements: (i) They shall state that the investigation and adjudication of alleged misconduct under this section is not an adversarial process between the complainant, the respondent, and the witnesses, but rather a process for postsecondary institutions to comply with their obligations under existing law. The complainant does not have the burden to prove, nor does the respondent have the burden to disprove, the underlying allegation or allegations of misconduct.(i)(ii) They shall require notice be provided to each student all students of the grievance procedures, including where and how complaints may be filed.(ii)They shall ensure that a neutral factfinder is the person responsible for investigating the complaint, finding the facts, and making credibility assessments in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, and that person is not the same person or entity responsible for making disciplinary decisions.(iii) They shall ensure that the persons or entities responsible for conducting investigations, finding facts, and making disciplinary decisions are neutral.(iii)(iv) They shall ensure trauma-informed and impartial investigation of complaints, including the opportunity for both parties complaints. Student parties shall be given an opportunity to identify witnesses and other evidence to assist the institution in determining whether a policy violation has occurred. occurred, and shall be informed that any evidence available but not disclosed during the investigation might not be considered at a subsequent hearing.(iv)They shall provide student parties the opportunity to cross-examine one another and any adverse witnesses, if the institution determines that a hearing is required in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, subject to the following rules:(I)The cross-examination shall be live, but either party and any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.(II)The live cross-examination of either party and any witnesses shall be conducted indirectly, through the submission of written questions to the neutral factfinder in advance and with an opportunity for the other party to object.The neutral factfinder shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the neutral factfinder deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the neutral factfinder is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence. The neutral factfinder shall provide a mechanism for both parties to ask, indirectly, through the neutral factfinder, and subject to objections, followup questions to be posed to the cross-examinee.(v) They shall include reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, and may include page or word limitations on party submissions.(vi) They shall include all of the following:(I) The investigator or hearing office shall not consider the past sexual history of a complainant or respondent except in the limited circumstances permitted by this clause.(II) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider prior or subsequent sexual history between the complainant and anyone other than the respondent for any reason unless directly relevant to prove that physical injuries alleged to have been inflicted by the respondent were inflicted by another individual.(III) (ia) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider the existence of a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent unless the evidence is relevant to how the parties communicated consent in prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations.(ib) Where the investigator or hearing officer allows consideration of evidence about a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent pursuant to sub-subclause (ia), the mere fact that the complainant and respondent engaged in other consensual sexual relations with one another is never sufficient, by itself, to establish that the conduct in question was consensual.(IV) Before allowing the consideration of any evidence proffered pursuant to this subdivision, the investigator or hearing officer shall provide a written explanation to the parties as to why consideration of the evidence is consistent with this clause.(vii) They shall prohibit questions of either party or of any witness that are repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing.(viii) They shall provide that the institution shall decide whether or not a hearing is necessary to determine whether any sexual violence more likely than not occurred. In making this decision, an institution may consider whether the parties elected to participate in the investigation and whether each party had the opportunity to suggest questions to be asked of the other party or witnesses, or both, during the investigation. Any hearing shall be subject to the following rules:(I) Any cross-examination of either party or any witness shall not be conducted directly by a party or a partys advisor.(II) Either party or any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.(III) Student parties shall have the opportunity to submit written questions to the hearing officer in advance of the hearing. At the hearing, the other party shall have an opportunity to note an objection to the questions posed. The institution may limit such objections to written form, and neither the hearing officer nor the institution are obligated to respond, other than to include any objection in the record. The hearing officer shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the hearing officer deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the hearing officer is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence.(IV) Generally, the parties may not introduce evidence, including witness testimony, at the hearing that the party did not identify during the investigation and that was available at the time of the investigation. However, the hearing officer has discretion to accept for good cause, or exclude, such new evidence offered at the hearing.(v)(ix) They shall provide an explanation of the meaning of a the preponderance of the evidence standard, and affirm that it shall apply to all investigations of sexual harassment or sexual violence. adjudications under this section. The preponderance of the evidence standard is met if the neutral factfinder institution determines that it is more likely than not that the alleged misconduct occurred, based on the facts available to the neutral factfinder at the time of the decision.(vi)(x) They shall provide a reasonably prompt timeframe for all of the major stages of the complaint process, as well as a process for extending the institutions timelines for good cause only, and shall provide for the prompt communication of that information to the complainant and respondent in a complaint. respondent. The communicated timeline information shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, each of the following: (I) The period during which the institution shall conduct an any investigation.(II) The date by which the parties shall be notified of the outcome of the any investigation.(III) The deadlines and process for parties to appeal, if the institutions grievance procedures include an appeals process. Institutions shall ensure that any rights of appeal are equally available to complainants and respondents.(xi) They shall provide that the institution shall not unreasonably deny a student partys request for an extension of a deadline related to a complaint during periods of examinations or school closures.(vii)(xii) They shall provide for periodic status updates on the investigation consistent with the timelines referenced in clause (vi) (x) to the complainant and respondent. (viii)(xiii) They shall provide for notice in writing to parties of any extension of a time period granted in the investigation and factfinding fact-finding process which that would change the prospective timeframes for the major stages of the complaint process, and the reason for that extension. (ix)(xiv) They shall provide for written notice to parties of the outcome of the complaint, including whether a policy violation was found to have occurred, the basis for that determination, including factual findings, and any discipline imposed.(x)(xv) They shall provide assurance that the institution will take steps to prevent recurrence of any harassment and to correct its discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, if appropriate. (xi)(xvi) They shall require that student parties receive notice that if the institution is conducting a formal investigation. The notice shall include the allegations and the alleged institutional policy violations under review. Any new allegations that arise during the course of the investigation that could subject either party to new or additional sanctions shall be subject to the same notice requirements.(xii)(xvii) They shall afford both student parties the opportunity to each have a support person or adviser accompany a the student party during key stages of the investigation and hearing processes, if requested. any stage of the process.(xviii) They shall advise student parties of their right to consult with an attorney, at their own expense, at any stage of the process if they wish to do so. An attorney may serve as a support person or adviser pursuant to clause (xvii).(xiii)(xix) They shall require that student parties receive a notice regarding appropriate counseling resources developed and maintained by the institution for student parties in school misconduct matters involving sexualviolence. harassment.The notice shall also advise student parties of their right to seek the assistance of an attorney at any stage of the process if they wish to do so.(xiv)(xx) They shall allow either party to appeal the outcome of the grievance proceeding if the institution has such an appeals process for an investigation pursuant to this section. process. An institutions grievance procedure may limit the grounds for an appeal, provided that any limitation shall apply equally to all parties. parties and that the nonappealing party shall have an opportunity to respond to the appeal.(xv)(xxi) They shall outline the possible interim measures that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation, the supportive measures that may be provided in the absence of an investigation, and the disciplinary outcomes, remedial measures, and systemic remedies that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation and following follow a final finding of responsibility, pursuant subject to all of the following:(I) An institution shall not mandate mediation to resolve allegations of sexual violence. harassment, and shall not allow mediation, even on a voluntary basis, to resolve allegations of sexual violence.(II) An institution shall not require that the complainant enter a voluntary resolution agreement or any other form of resolution as a prerequisite to receiving remedial measures from the institution which safeguard the complainants access to education.(III) (ia) When requested by a complainant or otherwise determined to be appropriate, an institution shall issue an interim no-contact directive prohibiting the respondent from contacting the complainant during the pendency of the investigation. An institution shall not issue an interim mutual no-contact directive automatically when an allegation of harm has been made against only one of the parties and shall only issue a mutual no-contact directive if there is reason to believe that the complainant has harmed or threatened to harm the respondent, or has interfered with, or threatened behavior that would interfere with, the investigation or disciplinary proceedings through contact with the respondent. automatically, but instead shall consider the specific circumstances of each case to determine whether a mutual no-contact directive is necessary or justifiable to protect the noncomplaining partys safety or well-being, or to respond to interference with an investigation. A no-contact directive issued after a decision of responsibility has been made by a neutral decisionmaker shall be unilateral and only apply against the party found responsible.(ib) Upon the issuance of a mutual no-contact directive, an institution shall provide the party or parties subject to that directive parties with a written justification for the directive and an explanation of the terms of the directive, directive. Upon the issuance of any no-contact directive, the institution shall provide the parties with an explanation of the terms of the directive, including the circumstances, if any, under which violation could be subject to disciplinary action.(xvi)(xxii) They shall describe the obligations of all faculty and staff designated by the institution as required to report concerns of sexual harassment to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee, consistent with the requirement in paragraph (2). An individual who has a confidential relationship with a student or students by law is exempt from having to report sexual harassment concerns to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee. employee, unless otherwise required by law.(xvii)(xxiii) They shall contain a requirement that the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or that employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee assess each report of sexual harassment and provide outreach, as appropriate, to each identifiable student who is alleged to be the victim of the reported conduct. The outreach shall include all of the following information:(I) The institution has received a report that the student may have been a victim of sexual harassment.(II) The prohibition of retaliation. A statement that retaliation for filing a complaint or participating in a complaint process, or both, under this section is prohibited.(III) Behavioral health services at Counseling resources within the institution or in the community.(IV) If there is the possibility of a criminal act, Where a crime may have occurred, notice that the student has the right, but not the obligation, to report the matter to law enforcement.(V) The institutions investigation procedures established pursuant to the requirements of this section.(VI) Potential interim measures, such as no-contact directives, housing changes, and academic schedule changes, where applicable.(VII) The importance of preserving evidence.(VIII) A request for the student to meet with the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee to discuss options for responding to the report.(IX) The manner in which the institution responds to reports of sexual harassment and a description of potential disciplinary consequences.(B) The grievance procedures shall also provide a process for a student to report sexual harassment by a third party. The institution shall respond to those reports to address or prevent a hostile educational environment or to ensure students access to education. Nothing in this paragraph section shall establish any duty or obligation owed by a postsecondary institution to nonstudent parties that does not already exist by statute or agreement.(6)(5) It shall publish in a prominent place on its internet website, with accompanying text clearly associating them with the sexual harassment and sexual violence grievance processes, the name, title, and contact information, which shall include the telephone number, office location, and email address, of each of the following individuals:(A) The employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee. Title IX coordinator or other designated employee.(B) Any individual official within the institution with the authority to investigate complaints made pursuant to this section or to institute corrective measures such as sanctions, accommodation, accommodations, or other forms of resolution of the complaint.(7)(6) (A) It shall provide the mandatory training required pursuant to described in paragraph (12) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386 to each employee engaged in the grievance procedures related to sex discrimination, including sexual violence, which shall include for these employees training on (i) trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices that help ensure an impartial and equitable process, (ii) best practices for assessment of a sexual harassment or sexual violence complaint, (iii) best practices for questioning of the complainant, respondent, and witnesses, and on (iv) implicit bias and racial inequities, both broadly and in school disciplinary processes.(B) Materials approved by the institution for this training shall include statistics on the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual violence in the educational setting, and the differing rates at which students experience sexual harassment and sexual assault in the educational setting based on their race, sexual orientation, disability, gender, and gender identity. When possible, citation to such statistics shall be included in the written antidiscrimination sexual harassment policies required by Section 66281.5 accompanying the institutions grievance procedures.(8)(7) If the institution has on-campus housing, it shall ensure that residential life student and nonstudent staff, or their equivalent, annually receive training on how to handle, in a trauma-informed manner, reports made to them of sexual harassment or sexual violence, and situations in which they are aware of sexual harassment or sexual violence, in student residential facilities.(9)(8) It shall notify employees of the obligation to report harassment to appropriate school officials.(10)(9) It shall provide training to all employees on the identification of sexual harassment, including the person to whom it should be reported. This paragraph does not require an institution to provide separate training for identification of sexual harassment. The school may include this requirement in existing employee training on sexual harassment.(c) This section does not require a school to provide separate grievance procedures for student sexual harassment complaints. The school may use student disciplinary procedures or other separate procedures to resolve sexual harassment complaints. Any procedures used to investigate complaints of sexual harassment, including disciplinary procedures, shall afford a complainant and a respondent a prompt and equitable resolution. If the school relies on existing procedures for compliance with the requirements of this section, the Title IX officer or designated employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) shall review the schools procedures to ensure that they comply with the requirements of this section.(d)(1)Either of the following persons may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin a violation of this section or to recover compensatory damages, court costs, and reasonable attorneys fees, or any combination thereof, as specified: (A)The Attorney General, consistent with the Attorney Generals existing authority under Section 13 of Article V of the California Constitution and Article 2 (commencing with Section 11180) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to investigate, and, as necessary, prosecute any violation of the law. The Attorney General may also conduct an investigation or bring an action under this section.(B)A postsecondary institution student or former student who alleges to have suffered injury in fact. The violation shall allegedly be the proximate cause of the injury in fact.(2)A violation of this section is established by the Attorney General or a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) by demonstrating in an action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction any of the following:(A)That a recipient institutions written policy does not conform to the requirements of this section.(B)That a recipient institution engages in a nonconforming process that does not substantially and materially comply with its written policy.(C)That a recipient institution, by an act or actions of one of its employees, knowingly violated the requirements of this section. (3)(A)Notwithstanding any other law, prior to filing a civil action, a person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section shall give written notice by certified mail to the postsecondary institution and to the Attorney General, of the specific provisions of this section alleged to have been violated, including the facts and theories to support the alleged violation and injury.(B)A person alleging injury may commence a civil action seeking damages 90 days after the date of the postsecondary institutions receipt of the notice.(C)A person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section may commence a civil action exclusively seeking injunctive relief at any time following written notice pursuant to subparagraph (A).(4)A court may grant compensatory damages as relief in any action filed pursuant to this section by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) provided all of the following are demonstrated:(A)The person suffered an injury in fact.(B)The defendant institution was in violation of this section, as described in paragraph (2), at the time of the alleged injury.(C)The violation of this section by the defendant institution was a proximate cause of the alleged injury.(5)In civil actions brought by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), the court, in its discretion, may award to the prevailing party reasonable attorneys fees and costs, including expert witness fees, except that, notwithstanding Section 998 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a prevailing defendant shall not be awarded fees and costs unless the court finds the action was frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless when brought, or the plaintiff continued to litigate after it clearly became so.(6)A person shall bring an action alleging a violation of this section no later than the statute of limitations applicable to a personal injury claim in California at the time the cause of action accrues.(7)In addition to compensatory damages, injunctive relief or other remedies appropriate to the circumstances may also be available to injured parties who file a civil action under this section.(8)If an action brought by the Attorney General establishes a postsecondary institution violated this section pursuant to subdivision (B), the court may assess a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per day the postsecondary institution remains in violation, and not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) total per violation. In determining the amount of the penalty, the court shall consider all of the following:(A)The extent and seriousness of the violation.(B)Any failure to address previously identified violations.(C)Any demonstrated harm imposed by the violation.(9)An action for damages pursuant to this subdivision shall not be subject to the claims presentation requirements of the Government Claims Act (Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1 of the Government Code).(d) A violation of this section may constitute discrimination and shall be subject to a civil action brought pursuant to Sections 66292.3 and 66292.4.(e) The requirements of this section shall be implemented at each postsecondary institution by no later than January 1, 2021. 2022.(f) If on or after the date of implementation, any provision of the act that adds this section conflicts with federal law, that provision shall be rendered inoperative for the duration of the conflict and without affecting the whole.(g) (1) Any case law interpreting procedural requirements or process that is due to student complainants or respondents when adjudicating complaints of sexual or gender-based violence, including dating or domestic violence, at postsecondary educational institutions in the State of California shall have no retroactive effect. (2) Any case law that conflicts with the provisions of the act that adds this section shall be superseded as of this statutes effective date. SEC. 4. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Education has long been recognized as the great equalizer in the United States.(b) Protecting students civil rights, including the right to an educational environment free from discrimination, is of paramount importance. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, has a devastating impact on students lives and prevents equal access to education as required under California law.(c) The Legislature recognizes that sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence, harms all students, undermines students physical safety, impedes students ability to learn, and can reinforce social inequality throughout a students lifetime.(d) Sexual harassment and violence in higher education is pervasive. According to research published by the American Association of University Women, during college, 62 percent of women and 61 percent of men experience sexual harassment. The Association of American Universities (AAU) survey of students shows that more than 1 in 5 women and nearly 1 in 18 men are sexually assaulted in college.(e) Historically marginalized and underrepresented groups are more likely to experience sexual harassment than their peers. Research from GLSEN and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than one-half of LGBTQ students 13 to 21 years of age, inclusive, are sexually harassed at school. An AAU survey indicates that nearly one in four transgender and gender-nonconforming students are sexually assaulted during college. According to a National Womens Law Center (NWLC) report, students with disabilities are 2.9 times more likely than their peers to be sexually assaulted.(f) Existing law prohibits institutions of higher education that receive state funding from discriminating on the basis of sex.(g) Existing law requires all higher educational institutions that receive state funding to adopt trauma-informed policies concerning sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking involving a student, both on and off campus.(h) Existing law requires the application of an affirmative consent standard and prohibits consideration of past sexual relations as probative by themselves of ongoing or repeated affirmative consent between parties.(i) Sexual harassment occurs both on campus and in off-campus spaces associated with school. Nationwide, nearly 9 in 10 college students live off campus and 41 percent of college sexual assaults involve off-campus parties. Research by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network indicates that only 8 percent of all sexual assaults occur on school property.(j) Survivors generally underreport instances of sexual harassment and assault. The NWLC reports that only 12 percent of college survivors report sexual assault to their schools or the police. (k) Every student has a right to be protected from sexual harassment, including sexual violence, sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in a schools educational programs, activities, and facilities. Each institute institution of higher education has a responsibility to make reasonable efforts to respond effectively when sexual harassment is reported to, or observed by, college and university faculty and staff, including on-campus housing employees, such as residential advisors. advisers.(l) The Legislature affirms that institutions of higher education should conduct prompt and equitable investigations into allegations of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, and that interim accommodations and remedial measures may be necessary during the pendency of an investigation to ensure students safety and equal access to education. When institutions fail to effectively respond to allegations of sexual harassment and violence, the impact on students can be devastating. Research published in the Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice demonstrates that 34 percent of sexual harassment and violence survivors drop out of college.(m) Sexual harassment of students, including certain defined acts of sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.), and its implementing regulations in Part 106 of Chapter 1 of Subtitle B of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(n) The Legislature notes the legal distinction between the processes necessary to protect students civil rights to equal access to education and those required to ensure due process in a criminal proceeding. In enacting this bill, it is the intent of the Legislature to account for the significant individual civil consequences faced by respondents charged with committing alleged to have committed sexual violence as well as the significant harm to individual victims complainants and to education equity more generally if sexual violence goes unaddressed.(o) It is the intent of the Legislature to define sexual harassment to include sexual violence, as defined in Section 66262.5 of the Education Code, for the purposes of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 200) of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 1 and the Equity in Higher Education Act established in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 66250) of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code.(p) It is the intent of the Legislature that each higher education institution that receives state funds for student financial assistance, and their respective governing boards or bodies, comply with the requirements of this act as a condition of receiving that financial assistance.(q) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide additional civil rights protections to students in California institutions of higher education and that this chapter be interpreted consistent with Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 11135) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1981, 2000d, et seq.), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681, et seq.), Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400, et seq.), the federal Equal Educational Opportunities Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1701, et seq.), the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Sections 51 to 53, inclusive, of the Civil Code), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except where this chapter may grant more protections or impose additional obligations, and the remedies provided herein not be the exclusive remedies, but may be combined with any remedies provided by the above-cited statutes.(r) This bill is intended to clarify the process for adjudicating complaints of sexual or gender-based violence, including dating or domestic violence, at postsecondary educational institutions in the State of California.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Education has long been recognized as the great equalizer in the United States.(b) Protecting students civil rights, including the right to an educational environment free from discrimination, is of paramount importance. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, has a devastating impact on students lives and prevents equal access to education as required under California law.(c) The Legislature recognizes that sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence, harms all students, undermines students physical safety, impedes students ability to learn, and can reinforce social inequality throughout a students lifetime.(d) Sexual harassment and violence in higher education is pervasive. According to research published by the American Association of University Women, during college, 62 percent of women and 61 percent of men experience sexual harassment. The Association of American Universities (AAU) survey of students shows that more than 1 in 5 women and nearly 1 in 18 men are sexually assaulted in college.(e) Historically marginalized and underrepresented groups are more likely to experience sexual harassment than their peers. Research from GLSEN and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than one-half of LGBTQ students 13 to 21 years of age, inclusive, are sexually harassed at school. An AAU survey indicates that nearly one in four transgender and gender-nonconforming students are sexually assaulted during college. According to a National Womens Law Center (NWLC) report, students with disabilities are 2.9 times more likely than their peers to be sexually assaulted.(f) Existing law prohibits institutions of higher education that receive state funding from discriminating on the basis of sex.(g) Existing law requires all higher educational institutions that receive state funding to adopt trauma-informed policies concerning sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking involving a student, both on and off campus.(h) Existing law requires the application of an affirmative consent standard and prohibits consideration of past sexual relations as probative by themselves of ongoing or repeated affirmative consent between parties.(i) Sexual harassment occurs both on campus and in off-campus spaces associated with school. Nationwide, nearly 9 in 10 college students live off campus and 41 percent of college sexual assaults involve off-campus parties. Research by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network indicates that only 8 percent of all sexual assaults occur on school property.(j) Survivors generally underreport instances of sexual harassment and assault. The NWLC reports that only 12 percent of college survivors report sexual assault to their schools or the police. (k) Every student has a right to be protected from sexual harassment, including sexual violence, sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in a schools educational programs, activities, and facilities. Each institute institution of higher education has a responsibility to make reasonable efforts to respond effectively when sexual harassment is reported to, or observed by, college and university faculty and staff, including on-campus housing employees, such as residential advisors. advisers.(l) The Legislature affirms that institutions of higher education should conduct prompt and equitable investigations into allegations of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, and that interim accommodations and remedial measures may be necessary during the pendency of an investigation to ensure students safety and equal access to education. When institutions fail to effectively respond to allegations of sexual harassment and violence, the impact on students can be devastating. Research published in the Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice demonstrates that 34 percent of sexual harassment and violence survivors drop out of college.(m) Sexual harassment of students, including certain defined acts of sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.), and its implementing regulations in Part 106 of Chapter 1 of Subtitle B of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(n) The Legislature notes the legal distinction between the processes necessary to protect students civil rights to equal access to education and those required to ensure due process in a criminal proceeding. In enacting this bill, it is the intent of the Legislature to account for the significant individual civil consequences faced by respondents charged with committing alleged to have committed sexual violence as well as the significant harm to individual victims complainants and to education equity more generally if sexual violence goes unaddressed.(o) It is the intent of the Legislature to define sexual harassment to include sexual violence, as defined in Section 66262.5 of the Education Code, for the purposes of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 200) of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 1 and the Equity in Higher Education Act established in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 66250) of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code.(p) It is the intent of the Legislature that each higher education institution that receives state funds for student financial assistance, and their respective governing boards or bodies, comply with the requirements of this act as a condition of receiving that financial assistance.(q) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide additional civil rights protections to students in California institutions of higher education and that this chapter be interpreted consistent with Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 11135) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1981, 2000d, et seq.), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681, et seq.), Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400, et seq.), the federal Equal Educational Opportunities Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1701, et seq.), the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Sections 51 to 53, inclusive, of the Civil Code), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except where this chapter may grant more protections or impose additional obligations, and the remedies provided herein not be the exclusive remedies, but may be combined with any remedies provided by the above-cited statutes.(r) This bill is intended to clarify the process for adjudicating complaints of sexual or gender-based violence, including dating or domestic violence, at postsecondary educational institutions in the State of California.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
### SECTION 1.
(a) Education has long been recognized as the great equalizer in the United States.
(b) Protecting students civil rights, including the right to an educational environment free from discrimination, is of paramount importance. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, has a devastating impact on students lives and prevents equal access to education as required under California law.
(c) The Legislature recognizes that sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence, harms all students, undermines students physical safety, impedes students ability to learn, and can reinforce social inequality throughout a students lifetime.
(d) Sexual harassment and violence in higher education is pervasive. According to research published by the American Association of University Women, during college, 62 percent of women and 61 percent of men experience sexual harassment. The Association of American Universities (AAU) survey of students shows that more than 1 in 5 women and nearly 1 in 18 men are sexually assaulted in college.
(e) Historically marginalized and underrepresented groups are more likely to experience sexual harassment than their peers. Research from GLSEN and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than one-half of LGBTQ students 13 to 21 years of age, inclusive, are sexually harassed at school. An AAU survey indicates that nearly one in four transgender and gender-nonconforming students are sexually assaulted during college. According to a National Womens Law Center (NWLC) report, students with disabilities are 2.9 times more likely than their peers to be sexually assaulted.
(f) Existing law prohibits institutions of higher education that receive state funding from discriminating on the basis of sex.
(g) Existing law requires all higher educational institutions that receive state funding to adopt trauma-informed policies concerning sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking involving a student, both on and off campus.
(h) Existing law requires the application of an affirmative consent standard and prohibits consideration of past sexual relations as probative by themselves of ongoing or repeated affirmative consent between parties.
(i) Sexual harassment occurs both on campus and in off-campus spaces associated with school. Nationwide, nearly 9 in 10 college students live off campus and 41 percent of college sexual assaults involve off-campus parties. Research by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network indicates that only 8 percent of all sexual assaults occur on school property.
(j) Survivors generally underreport instances of sexual harassment and assault. The NWLC reports that only 12 percent of college survivors report sexual assault to their schools or the police.
(k) Every student has a right to be protected from sexual harassment, including sexual violence, sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in a schools educational programs, activities, and facilities. Each institute institution of higher education has a responsibility to make reasonable efforts to respond effectively when sexual harassment is reported to, or observed by, college and university faculty and staff, including on-campus housing employees, such as residential advisors. advisers.
(l) The Legislature affirms that institutions of higher education should conduct prompt and equitable investigations into allegations of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, and that interim accommodations and remedial measures may be necessary during the pendency of an investigation to ensure students safety and equal access to education. When institutions fail to effectively respond to allegations of sexual harassment and violence, the impact on students can be devastating. Research published in the Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice demonstrates that 34 percent of sexual harassment and violence survivors drop out of college.
(m) Sexual harassment of students, including certain defined acts of sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.), and its implementing regulations in Part 106 of Chapter 1 of Subtitle B of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(n) The Legislature notes the legal distinction between the processes necessary to protect students civil rights to equal access to education and those required to ensure due process in a criminal proceeding. In enacting this bill, it is the intent of the Legislature to account for the significant individual civil consequences faced by respondents charged with committing alleged to have committed sexual violence as well as the significant harm to individual victims complainants and to education equity more generally if sexual violence goes unaddressed.
(o) It is the intent of the Legislature to define sexual harassment to include sexual violence, as defined in Section 66262.5 of the Education Code, for the purposes of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 200) of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 1 and the Equity in Higher Education Act established in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 66250) of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code.
(p) It is the intent of the Legislature that each higher education institution that receives state funds for student financial assistance, and their respective governing boards or bodies, comply with the requirements of this act as a condition of receiving that financial assistance.
(q) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide additional civil rights protections to students in California institutions of higher education and that this chapter be interpreted consistent with Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 11135) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1981, 2000d, et seq.), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681, et seq.), Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794(a)), the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400, et seq.), the federal Equal Educational Opportunities Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1701, et seq.), the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Sections 51 to 53, inclusive, of the Civil Code), and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except where this chapter may grant more protections or impose additional obligations, and the remedies provided herein not be the exclusive remedies, but may be combined with any remedies provided by the above-cited statutes.
(r) This bill is intended to clarify the process for adjudicating complaints of sexual or gender-based violence, including dating or domestic violence, at postsecondary educational institutions in the State of California.
SEC. 2. Section 66262.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:66262.5. (a) (1) Sexual harassment has the same meaning as defined in Section 212.5 and includes sexual battery, sexual violence, and sexual exploitation. (2) Sexual harassment of students is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Section 66270.(b) For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) Sexual violence means physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person without the persons affirmative consent, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 67386. Physical sexual acts include all both of the following: (A) Rape, defined as penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by copulation of a sex organ of by another person, without the consent of the victim.(B) The intentional touching of another persons intimate parts. Sexual battery, as defined in paragraph (2).(C)The use of duress or force, or the attempt to use duress or force, to touch another persons intimate parts.(2) Sexual battery has the same meaning as the acts described in Section 1708.5 of the Civil Code. means the intentional touching of another persons intimate parts without consent, intentionally causing a person to touch the intimate parts of another without consent, or using a persons own intimate part to intentionally touch another persons body without consent.(3) Sexual exploitation means a person taking sexual advantage of another person for the benefit of anyone other than that person without that persons consent, including including, but not limited to, any of the following acts: (A) The prostituting of another person.(B) The trafficking of another person, defined as the inducement of a person to perform a commercial sex act, or labor or services, through force, fraud, or coercion.(C) The recording of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, without that persons consent. (D) The distribution of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, if the individual distributing the images or audio knows or should have known that the person depicted in the images or audio did not consent to the disclosure. (E) The viewing of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, in a place where that other person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without that persons consent, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.
SEC. 2. Section 66262.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:
### SEC. 2.
66262.5. (a) (1) Sexual harassment has the same meaning as defined in Section 212.5 and includes sexual battery, sexual violence, and sexual exploitation. (2) Sexual harassment of students is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Section 66270.(b) For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) Sexual violence means physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person without the persons affirmative consent, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 67386. Physical sexual acts include all both of the following: (A) Rape, defined as penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by copulation of a sex organ of by another person, without the consent of the victim.(B) The intentional touching of another persons intimate parts. Sexual battery, as defined in paragraph (2).(C)The use of duress or force, or the attempt to use duress or force, to touch another persons intimate parts.(2) Sexual battery has the same meaning as the acts described in Section 1708.5 of the Civil Code. means the intentional touching of another persons intimate parts without consent, intentionally causing a person to touch the intimate parts of another without consent, or using a persons own intimate part to intentionally touch another persons body without consent.(3) Sexual exploitation means a person taking sexual advantage of another person for the benefit of anyone other than that person without that persons consent, including including, but not limited to, any of the following acts: (A) The prostituting of another person.(B) The trafficking of another person, defined as the inducement of a person to perform a commercial sex act, or labor or services, through force, fraud, or coercion.(C) The recording of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, without that persons consent. (D) The distribution of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, if the individual distributing the images or audio knows or should have known that the person depicted in the images or audio did not consent to the disclosure. (E) The viewing of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, in a place where that other person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without that persons consent, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.
66262.5. (a) (1) Sexual harassment has the same meaning as defined in Section 212.5 and includes sexual battery, sexual violence, and sexual exploitation. (2) Sexual harassment of students is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Section 66270.(b) For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) Sexual violence means physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person without the persons affirmative consent, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 67386. Physical sexual acts include all both of the following: (A) Rape, defined as penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by copulation of a sex organ of by another person, without the consent of the victim.(B) The intentional touching of another persons intimate parts. Sexual battery, as defined in paragraph (2).(C)The use of duress or force, or the attempt to use duress or force, to touch another persons intimate parts.(2) Sexual battery has the same meaning as the acts described in Section 1708.5 of the Civil Code. means the intentional touching of another persons intimate parts without consent, intentionally causing a person to touch the intimate parts of another without consent, or using a persons own intimate part to intentionally touch another persons body without consent.(3) Sexual exploitation means a person taking sexual advantage of another person for the benefit of anyone other than that person without that persons consent, including including, but not limited to, any of the following acts: (A) The prostituting of another person.(B) The trafficking of another person, defined as the inducement of a person to perform a commercial sex act, or labor or services, through force, fraud, or coercion.(C) The recording of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, without that persons consent. (D) The distribution of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, if the individual distributing the images or audio knows or should have known that the person depicted in the images or audio did not consent to the disclosure. (E) The viewing of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, in a place where that other person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without that persons consent, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.
66262.5. (a) (1) Sexual harassment has the same meaning as defined in Section 212.5 and includes sexual battery, sexual violence, and sexual exploitation. (2) Sexual harassment of students is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Section 66270.(b) For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) Sexual violence means physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person without the persons affirmative consent, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 67386. Physical sexual acts include all both of the following: (A) Rape, defined as penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by copulation of a sex organ of by another person, without the consent of the victim.(B) The intentional touching of another persons intimate parts. Sexual battery, as defined in paragraph (2).(C)The use of duress or force, or the attempt to use duress or force, to touch another persons intimate parts.(2) Sexual battery has the same meaning as the acts described in Section 1708.5 of the Civil Code. means the intentional touching of another persons intimate parts without consent, intentionally causing a person to touch the intimate parts of another without consent, or using a persons own intimate part to intentionally touch another persons body without consent.(3) Sexual exploitation means a person taking sexual advantage of another person for the benefit of anyone other than that person without that persons consent, including including, but not limited to, any of the following acts: (A) The prostituting of another person.(B) The trafficking of another person, defined as the inducement of a person to perform a commercial sex act, or labor or services, through force, fraud, or coercion.(C) The recording of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, without that persons consent. (D) The distribution of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, if the individual distributing the images or audio knows or should have known that the person depicted in the images or audio did not consent to the disclosure. (E) The viewing of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, in a place where that other person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without that persons consent, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.
66262.5. (a) (1) Sexual harassment has the same meaning as defined in Section 212.5 and includes sexual battery, sexual violence, and sexual exploitation.
(2) Sexual harassment of students is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Section 66270.
(b) For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) Sexual violence means physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person without the persons affirmative consent, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 67386. Physical sexual acts include all both of the following:
(A) Rape, defined as penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by copulation of a sex organ of by another person, without the consent of the victim.
(B) The intentional touching of another persons intimate parts. Sexual battery, as defined in paragraph (2).
(C)The use of duress or force, or the attempt to use duress or force, to touch another persons intimate parts.
(2) Sexual battery has the same meaning as the acts described in Section 1708.5 of the Civil Code. means the intentional touching of another persons intimate parts without consent, intentionally causing a person to touch the intimate parts of another without consent, or using a persons own intimate part to intentionally touch another persons body without consent.
(3) Sexual exploitation means a person taking sexual advantage of another person for the benefit of anyone other than that person without that persons consent, including including, but not limited to, any of the following acts:
(A) The prostituting of another person.
(B) The trafficking of another person, defined as the inducement of a person to perform a commercial sex act, or labor or services, through force, fraud, or coercion.
(C) The recording of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, without that persons consent.
(D) The distribution of images, including video or photograph, or audio of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, if the individual distributing the images or audio knows or should have known that the person depicted in the images or audio did not consent to the disclosure.
(E) The viewing of another persons sexual activity, activity or intimate body parts, or nakedness, in a place where that other person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without that persons consent, for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.
SEC. 3. Section 66281.8 is added to the Education Code, to read:66281.8. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Postsecondary institution means a campus of the University of California, the California State University, or the California Community Colleges, a private postsecondary educational institution, or an independent institution of higher education that receives state funds, including state funds for student financial assistance.(2) (A) Responsible employee means any an employee who has the authority to take action to redress harassment, sexual harassment or provide supportive measures to students, or who has the duty to report sexual harassment to an appropriate school officials sexual harassment or any other misconduct by students or employees, or an individual who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or responsibility. official who has that authority.(B) Responsible employee includes, but is not limited to, those individuals with any of the following positions or substantially similar positions or job duties, regardless of the specific title the institution may attach to the position:(i) Title IX coordinator or other coordinator designated to comply with and carry out the institutions responsibilities under this section.(ii) Residential advisors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.(iii) Housing directors, coordinators, or deans.(iv) Student life directors, coordinators, or deans.(v) Athletic directors, coordinators, or deans.(vi) Coaches of any student athletic or academic team or activity.(vii) Faculty and associate faculty, teachers, instructors, or lecturers.(viii) Graduate student instructors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.(ix) Laboratory directors, coordinators, or principal investigators.(x) Internship or externship directors or coordinators.(xi) Study abroad program directors or coordinators.(C) (i) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), responsible employee does not include those individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) who are also any of the following:(I) A therapist or other professional described in Sections 990, 1010, 1030, 1035, and 1037 of the Evidence Code, including a University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.(II) A University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.(III) A California State University victim advocate or other position with similar responsibilities.(IV) An individual acting in a professional capacity for which confidentiality is mandated by law.(ii) An individual described in clause (i) shall inform each student who provides the individual with information regarding sexual harassment of the students ability to report to a responsible employee and direct the student to those specific reporting resources.(b) In Notwithstanding Section 67400, in order to receive state funds for student financial assistance, assistance, as defined in Section 213, the appropriate governing board or body of each postsecondary institution shall implement, and at all times comply with, all of the following requirements at the institution: (1) It shall disseminate, by electronic or other means, a notice of nondiscrimination, including, but not limited to, all information required to be included in the notice provided pursuant to Section 66281.5, to each: all of the following:(A) Employee Each employee of the postsecondary institution. (B) Volunteer Each volunteer who will regularly interact with students.(C) Individual Each individual or entity under contract with the postsecondary institution to perform any service involving regular interaction with students at the institution. (2) It shall designate at least one employee of the institution to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under this section. The employee may be the same individual as the institutions federal Title IX coordinator. The employee shall have adequate training on what constitutes sexual harassment and on trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices practices, and shall understand how the institutions grievance procedures operate. (3) It shall adopt rules and procedures within the policies required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.) and Section 67386 for the prevention of sexual harassment that also provide for all of the following elements: (A) The institutions primary concern shall be student safety. Any disciplinary measures imposed by the institution for violations of the institutions student conduct policy at or near the time of the incident being investigated shall be consistent with paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386. (B) The institution shall take reasonable steps to respond to sex discrimination each incident of sexual harassment involving individuals subject to the institutions policies that occur in connection with all academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs any educational activity or other program of the institution, as well as incidents that occurred outside of those educational programs or activities, whether those programs take place in the institutions facilities, during travel, at a class or training program sponsored by the institution at another location, or elsewhere they occurred on or off campus where such incidents could interfere with a students equitable access to education. campus, if, based on the allegations, there is any reason to believe that the incident could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education.(C)If a student files a complaint with the institution regarding an incident that took place on campus, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. If a student files a complaint regarding an incident that took place off campus, the institution shall evaluate the complaint to determine if there is a nexus between the off-campus incident and the institution such that the incident could contribute to a hostile environment on campus. If such a nexus exists, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, a nexus to the campus exists whenever the incident complained of is so grievous and the likelihood of continuing to encounter the perpetrator on campus is so credible that inaction would deprive the complainant of the benefits of any education program. The requirements of this subparagraph modify any other provisions in this chapter that are inconsistent with these requirements to the extent that the modification is permissible under state and federal law.(D)If(C) (i) Regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures, if the institution knows, or reasonably should know, about possible sexual harassment that could create a hostile or offensive educational environment on campus, involving individuals subject to the institutions policies at the time, the institution shall promptly investigate. investigate to determine whether the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, or otherwise respond if the institution determines that an investigation is not required. If the institution investigates and determines that sexual harassment creating a hostile environment on campus has the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, whether the harassment occurred on or off campus, it shall immediately take all reasonable steps to eliminate end the harassment, address the hostile environment, if one has been created, prevent its recurrence, and address its affects, regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures. effects. A postsecondary institution shall be deemed to have notice presumed to know of sexual harassment if a responsible employee knew knew, or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known known, about the sexual harassment. The institution may rebut this presumption of knowledge if it shows all of the following:(I) The institution provides training and requires all nonconfidential responsible employees to report sexual harassment.(II) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question was provided training and direction to report sexual harassment.(III) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question failed to report it.(ii) The institution shall consider and respond to requests for accommodations relating to prior incidents of sexual harassment that could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education where both individuals are, at the time of the request, subject to the institutions policies.(D) (i) If a complainant requests confidentiality, which could preclude a meaningful investigation or potential discipline of the potential respondent, or that no investigation or disciplinary action be pursued to address alleged sexual harassment, the institution shall take the request seriously, while at the same time considering its responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including for the complainant. The institution shall generally grant the request. In determining whether to disclose a complainants identity or proceed to an investigation over the objection of the complainant, the institution may consider whether any of the following apply:(I) There are multiple or prior reports of sexual misconduct against the respondent.(II) The respondent reportedly used a weapon, physical restraints, or engaged in battery.(III) The respondent is a faculty or staff member with oversight of students.(IV) There is a power imbalance between the complainant and respondent.(V) The complainant believes that the complainant will be less safe if the complainants name is disclosed or an investigation is conducted.(VI) The institution is able to conduct a thorough investigation and obtain relevant evidence in the absence of the complainants cooperation.(ii) If the institution determines that it can honor the students request for confidentiality, it shall still take reasonable steps to respond to the complaint, consistent with the request, to limit the effects of the alleged sexual harassment and prevent its recurrence without initiating formal action against the alleged perpetrator or revealing the identity of the complainant. These steps may include increased monitoring, supervision, or security at locations or activities where the alleged misconduct occurred; providing additional training and education materials for students and employees; or conducting climate surveys regarding sexual violence. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant while keeping the complainants identity confidential as appropriate. These steps may include changing living arrangements or course schedules, assignments, or tests. The complainant shall be notified that the steps the institution will take to respond to the complaint will be limited by the request for confidentiality.(iii) If the institution determines that it must disclose the complainants identity to the respondent or proceed with an investigation, it shall inform the complainant prior to making this disclosure or initiating the investigation. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant where appropriate. In the event the complainant requests that the institution inform the respondent that the student asked the institution not to investigate or seek discipline, the institution shall honor this request.(4)It shall create reasonable procedures for the process to investigate violations of the policies adopted or amended pursuant to this section, including instituting reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, deadlines, and page or word limitations on student party submissions, in order that parties may be aware of and can follow those procedures. The institution shall include, but is not limited to including pursuant to these procedures, a prohibition on the consideration of past sexual relations by themselves as probative of whether the alleged incident occurred.(5)(4) (A) It shall adopt and publish on its internet website grievance procedures that provide for prompt and equitable resolution of student sexual harassment complaints filed by a student against an employee, employee or another student, or a third party. student. The grievance procedures shall satisfy all of the following requirements: (i) They shall state that the investigation and adjudication of alleged misconduct under this section is not an adversarial process between the complainant, the respondent, and the witnesses, but rather a process for postsecondary institutions to comply with their obligations under existing law. The complainant does not have the burden to prove, nor does the respondent have the burden to disprove, the underlying allegation or allegations of misconduct.(i)(ii) They shall require notice be provided to each student all students of the grievance procedures, including where and how complaints may be filed.(ii)They shall ensure that a neutral factfinder is the person responsible for investigating the complaint, finding the facts, and making credibility assessments in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, and that person is not the same person or entity responsible for making disciplinary decisions.(iii) They shall ensure that the persons or entities responsible for conducting investigations, finding facts, and making disciplinary decisions are neutral.(iii)(iv) They shall ensure trauma-informed and impartial investigation of complaints, including the opportunity for both parties complaints. Student parties shall be given an opportunity to identify witnesses and other evidence to assist the institution in determining whether a policy violation has occurred. occurred, and shall be informed that any evidence available but not disclosed during the investigation might not be considered at a subsequent hearing.(iv)They shall provide student parties the opportunity to cross-examine one another and any adverse witnesses, if the institution determines that a hearing is required in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, subject to the following rules:(I)The cross-examination shall be live, but either party and any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.(II)The live cross-examination of either party and any witnesses shall be conducted indirectly, through the submission of written questions to the neutral factfinder in advance and with an opportunity for the other party to object.The neutral factfinder shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the neutral factfinder deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the neutral factfinder is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence. The neutral factfinder shall provide a mechanism for both parties to ask, indirectly, through the neutral factfinder, and subject to objections, followup questions to be posed to the cross-examinee.(v) They shall include reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, and may include page or word limitations on party submissions.(vi) They shall include all of the following:(I) The investigator or hearing office shall not consider the past sexual history of a complainant or respondent except in the limited circumstances permitted by this clause.(II) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider prior or subsequent sexual history between the complainant and anyone other than the respondent for any reason unless directly relevant to prove that physical injuries alleged to have been inflicted by the respondent were inflicted by another individual.(III) (ia) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider the existence of a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent unless the evidence is relevant to how the parties communicated consent in prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations.(ib) Where the investigator or hearing officer allows consideration of evidence about a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent pursuant to sub-subclause (ia), the mere fact that the complainant and respondent engaged in other consensual sexual relations with one another is never sufficient, by itself, to establish that the conduct in question was consensual.(IV) Before allowing the consideration of any evidence proffered pursuant to this subdivision, the investigator or hearing officer shall provide a written explanation to the parties as to why consideration of the evidence is consistent with this clause.(vii) They shall prohibit questions of either party or of any witness that are repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing.(viii) They shall provide that the institution shall decide whether or not a hearing is necessary to determine whether any sexual violence more likely than not occurred. In making this decision, an institution may consider whether the parties elected to participate in the investigation and whether each party had the opportunity to suggest questions to be asked of the other party or witnesses, or both, during the investigation. Any hearing shall be subject to the following rules:(I) Any cross-examination of either party or any witness shall not be conducted directly by a party or a partys advisor.(II) Either party or any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.(III) Student parties shall have the opportunity to submit written questions to the hearing officer in advance of the hearing. At the hearing, the other party shall have an opportunity to note an objection to the questions posed. The institution may limit such objections to written form, and neither the hearing officer nor the institution are obligated to respond, other than to include any objection in the record. The hearing officer shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the hearing officer deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the hearing officer is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence.(IV) Generally, the parties may not introduce evidence, including witness testimony, at the hearing that the party did not identify during the investigation and that was available at the time of the investigation. However, the hearing officer has discretion to accept for good cause, or exclude, such new evidence offered at the hearing.(v)(ix) They shall provide an explanation of the meaning of a the preponderance of the evidence standard, and affirm that it shall apply to all investigations of sexual harassment or sexual violence. adjudications under this section. The preponderance of the evidence standard is met if the neutral factfinder institution determines that it is more likely than not that the alleged misconduct occurred, based on the facts available to the neutral factfinder at the time of the decision.(vi)(x) They shall provide a reasonably prompt timeframe for all of the major stages of the complaint process, as well as a process for extending the institutions timelines for good cause only, and shall provide for the prompt communication of that information to the complainant and respondent in a complaint. respondent. The communicated timeline information shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, each of the following: (I) The period during which the institution shall conduct an any investigation.(II) The date by which the parties shall be notified of the outcome of the any investigation.(III) The deadlines and process for parties to appeal, if the institutions grievance procedures include an appeals process. Institutions shall ensure that any rights of appeal are equally available to complainants and respondents.(xi) They shall provide that the institution shall not unreasonably deny a student partys request for an extension of a deadline related to a complaint during periods of examinations or school closures.(vii)(xii) They shall provide for periodic status updates on the investigation consistent with the timelines referenced in clause (vi) (x) to the complainant and respondent. (viii)(xiii) They shall provide for notice in writing to parties of any extension of a time period granted in the investigation and factfinding fact-finding process which that would change the prospective timeframes for the major stages of the complaint process, and the reason for that extension. (ix)(xiv) They shall provide for written notice to parties of the outcome of the complaint, including whether a policy violation was found to have occurred, the basis for that determination, including factual findings, and any discipline imposed.(x)(xv) They shall provide assurance that the institution will take steps to prevent recurrence of any harassment and to correct its discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, if appropriate. (xi)(xvi) They shall require that student parties receive notice that if the institution is conducting a formal investigation. The notice shall include the allegations and the alleged institutional policy violations under review. Any new allegations that arise during the course of the investigation that could subject either party to new or additional sanctions shall be subject to the same notice requirements.(xii)(xvii) They shall afford both student parties the opportunity to each have a support person or adviser accompany a the student party during key stages of the investigation and hearing processes, if requested. any stage of the process.(xviii) They shall advise student parties of their right to consult with an attorney, at their own expense, at any stage of the process if they wish to do so. An attorney may serve as a support person or adviser pursuant to clause (xvii).(xiii)(xix) They shall require that student parties receive a notice regarding appropriate counseling resources developed and maintained by the institution for student parties in school misconduct matters involving sexualviolence. harassment.The notice shall also advise student parties of their right to seek the assistance of an attorney at any stage of the process if they wish to do so.(xiv)(xx) They shall allow either party to appeal the outcome of the grievance proceeding if the institution has such an appeals process for an investigation pursuant to this section. process. An institutions grievance procedure may limit the grounds for an appeal, provided that any limitation shall apply equally to all parties. parties and that the nonappealing party shall have an opportunity to respond to the appeal.(xv)(xxi) They shall outline the possible interim measures that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation, the supportive measures that may be provided in the absence of an investigation, and the disciplinary outcomes, remedial measures, and systemic remedies that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation and following follow a final finding of responsibility, pursuant subject to all of the following:(I) An institution shall not mandate mediation to resolve allegations of sexual violence. harassment, and shall not allow mediation, even on a voluntary basis, to resolve allegations of sexual violence.(II) An institution shall not require that the complainant enter a voluntary resolution agreement or any other form of resolution as a prerequisite to receiving remedial measures from the institution which safeguard the complainants access to education.(III) (ia) When requested by a complainant or otherwise determined to be appropriate, an institution shall issue an interim no-contact directive prohibiting the respondent from contacting the complainant during the pendency of the investigation. An institution shall not issue an interim mutual no-contact directive automatically when an allegation of harm has been made against only one of the parties and shall only issue a mutual no-contact directive if there is reason to believe that the complainant has harmed or threatened to harm the respondent, or has interfered with, or threatened behavior that would interfere with, the investigation or disciplinary proceedings through contact with the respondent. automatically, but instead shall consider the specific circumstances of each case to determine whether a mutual no-contact directive is necessary or justifiable to protect the noncomplaining partys safety or well-being, or to respond to interference with an investigation. A no-contact directive issued after a decision of responsibility has been made by a neutral decisionmaker shall be unilateral and only apply against the party found responsible.(ib) Upon the issuance of a mutual no-contact directive, an institution shall provide the party or parties subject to that directive parties with a written justification for the directive and an explanation of the terms of the directive, directive. Upon the issuance of any no-contact directive, the institution shall provide the parties with an explanation of the terms of the directive, including the circumstances, if any, under which violation could be subject to disciplinary action.(xvi)(xxii) They shall describe the obligations of all faculty and staff designated by the institution as required to report concerns of sexual harassment to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee, consistent with the requirement in paragraph (2). An individual who has a confidential relationship with a student or students by law is exempt from having to report sexual harassment concerns to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee. employee, unless otherwise required by law.(xvii)(xxiii) They shall contain a requirement that the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or that employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee assess each report of sexual harassment and provide outreach, as appropriate, to each identifiable student who is alleged to be the victim of the reported conduct. The outreach shall include all of the following information:(I) The institution has received a report that the student may have been a victim of sexual harassment.(II) The prohibition of retaliation. A statement that retaliation for filing a complaint or participating in a complaint process, or both, under this section is prohibited.(III) Behavioral health services at Counseling resources within the institution or in the community.(IV) If there is the possibility of a criminal act, Where a crime may have occurred, notice that the student has the right, but not the obligation, to report the matter to law enforcement.(V) The institutions investigation procedures established pursuant to the requirements of this section.(VI) Potential interim measures, such as no-contact directives, housing changes, and academic schedule changes, where applicable.(VII) The importance of preserving evidence.(VIII) A request for the student to meet with the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee to discuss options for responding to the report.(IX) The manner in which the institution responds to reports of sexual harassment and a description of potential disciplinary consequences.(B) The grievance procedures shall also provide a process for a student to report sexual harassment by a third party. The institution shall respond to those reports to address or prevent a hostile educational environment or to ensure students access to education. Nothing in this paragraph section shall establish any duty or obligation owed by a postsecondary institution to nonstudent parties that does not already exist by statute or agreement.(6)(5) It shall publish in a prominent place on its internet website, with accompanying text clearly associating them with the sexual harassment and sexual violence grievance processes, the name, title, and contact information, which shall include the telephone number, office location, and email address, of each of the following individuals:(A) The employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee. Title IX coordinator or other designated employee.(B) Any individual official within the institution with the authority to investigate complaints made pursuant to this section or to institute corrective measures such as sanctions, accommodation, accommodations, or other forms of resolution of the complaint.(7)(6) (A) It shall provide the mandatory training required pursuant to described in paragraph (12) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386 to each employee engaged in the grievance procedures related to sex discrimination, including sexual violence, which shall include for these employees training on (i) trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices that help ensure an impartial and equitable process, (ii) best practices for assessment of a sexual harassment or sexual violence complaint, (iii) best practices for questioning of the complainant, respondent, and witnesses, and on (iv) implicit bias and racial inequities, both broadly and in school disciplinary processes.(B) Materials approved by the institution for this training shall include statistics on the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual violence in the educational setting, and the differing rates at which students experience sexual harassment and sexual assault in the educational setting based on their race, sexual orientation, disability, gender, and gender identity. When possible, citation to such statistics shall be included in the written antidiscrimination sexual harassment policies required by Section 66281.5 accompanying the institutions grievance procedures.(8)(7) If the institution has on-campus housing, it shall ensure that residential life student and nonstudent staff, or their equivalent, annually receive training on how to handle, in a trauma-informed manner, reports made to them of sexual harassment or sexual violence, and situations in which they are aware of sexual harassment or sexual violence, in student residential facilities.(9)(8) It shall notify employees of the obligation to report harassment to appropriate school officials.(10)(9) It shall provide training to all employees on the identification of sexual harassment, including the person to whom it should be reported. This paragraph does not require an institution to provide separate training for identification of sexual harassment. The school may include this requirement in existing employee training on sexual harassment.(c) This section does not require a school to provide separate grievance procedures for student sexual harassment complaints. The school may use student disciplinary procedures or other separate procedures to resolve sexual harassment complaints. Any procedures used to investigate complaints of sexual harassment, including disciplinary procedures, shall afford a complainant and a respondent a prompt and equitable resolution. If the school relies on existing procedures for compliance with the requirements of this section, the Title IX officer or designated employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) shall review the schools procedures to ensure that they comply with the requirements of this section.(d)(1)Either of the following persons may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin a violation of this section or to recover compensatory damages, court costs, and reasonable attorneys fees, or any combination thereof, as specified: (A)The Attorney General, consistent with the Attorney Generals existing authority under Section 13 of Article V of the California Constitution and Article 2 (commencing with Section 11180) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to investigate, and, as necessary, prosecute any violation of the law. The Attorney General may also conduct an investigation or bring an action under this section.(B)A postsecondary institution student or former student who alleges to have suffered injury in fact. The violation shall allegedly be the proximate cause of the injury in fact.(2)A violation of this section is established by the Attorney General or a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) by demonstrating in an action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction any of the following:(A)That a recipient institutions written policy does not conform to the requirements of this section.(B)That a recipient institution engages in a nonconforming process that does not substantially and materially comply with its written policy.(C)That a recipient institution, by an act or actions of one of its employees, knowingly violated the requirements of this section. (3)(A)Notwithstanding any other law, prior to filing a civil action, a person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section shall give written notice by certified mail to the postsecondary institution and to the Attorney General, of the specific provisions of this section alleged to have been violated, including the facts and theories to support the alleged violation and injury.(B)A person alleging injury may commence a civil action seeking damages 90 days after the date of the postsecondary institutions receipt of the notice.(C)A person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section may commence a civil action exclusively seeking injunctive relief at any time following written notice pursuant to subparagraph (A).(4)A court may grant compensatory damages as relief in any action filed pursuant to this section by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) provided all of the following are demonstrated:(A)The person suffered an injury in fact.(B)The defendant institution was in violation of this section, as described in paragraph (2), at the time of the alleged injury.(C)The violation of this section by the defendant institution was a proximate cause of the alleged injury.(5)In civil actions brought by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), the court, in its discretion, may award to the prevailing party reasonable attorneys fees and costs, including expert witness fees, except that, notwithstanding Section 998 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a prevailing defendant shall not be awarded fees and costs unless the court finds the action was frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless when brought, or the plaintiff continued to litigate after it clearly became so.(6)A person shall bring an action alleging a violation of this section no later than the statute of limitations applicable to a personal injury claim in California at the time the cause of action accrues.(7)In addition to compensatory damages, injunctive relief or other remedies appropriate to the circumstances may also be available to injured parties who file a civil action under this section.(8)If an action brought by the Attorney General establishes a postsecondary institution violated this section pursuant to subdivision (B), the court may assess a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per day the postsecondary institution remains in violation, and not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) total per violation. In determining the amount of the penalty, the court shall consider all of the following:(A)The extent and seriousness of the violation.(B)Any failure to address previously identified violations.(C)Any demonstrated harm imposed by the violation.(9)An action for damages pursuant to this subdivision shall not be subject to the claims presentation requirements of the Government Claims Act (Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1 of the Government Code).(d) A violation of this section may constitute discrimination and shall be subject to a civil action brought pursuant to Sections 66292.3 and 66292.4.(e) The requirements of this section shall be implemented at each postsecondary institution by no later than January 1, 2021. 2022.(f) If on or after the date of implementation, any provision of the act that adds this section conflicts with federal law, that provision shall be rendered inoperative for the duration of the conflict and without affecting the whole.(g) (1) Any case law interpreting procedural requirements or process that is due to student complainants or respondents when adjudicating complaints of sexual or gender-based violence, including dating or domestic violence, at postsecondary educational institutions in the State of California shall have no retroactive effect. (2) Any case law that conflicts with the provisions of the act that adds this section shall be superseded as of this statutes effective date.
SEC. 3. Section 66281.8 is added to the Education Code, to read:
### SEC. 3.
66281.8. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Postsecondary institution means a campus of the University of California, the California State University, or the California Community Colleges, a private postsecondary educational institution, or an independent institution of higher education that receives state funds, including state funds for student financial assistance.(2) (A) Responsible employee means any an employee who has the authority to take action to redress harassment, sexual harassment or provide supportive measures to students, or who has the duty to report sexual harassment to an appropriate school officials sexual harassment or any other misconduct by students or employees, or an individual who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or responsibility. official who has that authority.(B) Responsible employee includes, but is not limited to, those individuals with any of the following positions or substantially similar positions or job duties, regardless of the specific title the institution may attach to the position:(i) Title IX coordinator or other coordinator designated to comply with and carry out the institutions responsibilities under this section.(ii) Residential advisors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.(iii) Housing directors, coordinators, or deans.(iv) Student life directors, coordinators, or deans.(v) Athletic directors, coordinators, or deans.(vi) Coaches of any student athletic or academic team or activity.(vii) Faculty and associate faculty, teachers, instructors, or lecturers.(viii) Graduate student instructors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.(ix) Laboratory directors, coordinators, or principal investigators.(x) Internship or externship directors or coordinators.(xi) Study abroad program directors or coordinators.(C) (i) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), responsible employee does not include those individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) who are also any of the following:(I) A therapist or other professional described in Sections 990, 1010, 1030, 1035, and 1037 of the Evidence Code, including a University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.(II) A University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.(III) A California State University victim advocate or other position with similar responsibilities.(IV) An individual acting in a professional capacity for which confidentiality is mandated by law.(ii) An individual described in clause (i) shall inform each student who provides the individual with information regarding sexual harassment of the students ability to report to a responsible employee and direct the student to those specific reporting resources.(b) In Notwithstanding Section 67400, in order to receive state funds for student financial assistance, assistance, as defined in Section 213, the appropriate governing board or body of each postsecondary institution shall implement, and at all times comply with, all of the following requirements at the institution: (1) It shall disseminate, by electronic or other means, a notice of nondiscrimination, including, but not limited to, all information required to be included in the notice provided pursuant to Section 66281.5, to each: all of the following:(A) Employee Each employee of the postsecondary institution. (B) Volunteer Each volunteer who will regularly interact with students.(C) Individual Each individual or entity under contract with the postsecondary institution to perform any service involving regular interaction with students at the institution. (2) It shall designate at least one employee of the institution to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under this section. The employee may be the same individual as the institutions federal Title IX coordinator. The employee shall have adequate training on what constitutes sexual harassment and on trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices practices, and shall understand how the institutions grievance procedures operate. (3) It shall adopt rules and procedures within the policies required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.) and Section 67386 for the prevention of sexual harassment that also provide for all of the following elements: (A) The institutions primary concern shall be student safety. Any disciplinary measures imposed by the institution for violations of the institutions student conduct policy at or near the time of the incident being investigated shall be consistent with paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386. (B) The institution shall take reasonable steps to respond to sex discrimination each incident of sexual harassment involving individuals subject to the institutions policies that occur in connection with all academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs any educational activity or other program of the institution, as well as incidents that occurred outside of those educational programs or activities, whether those programs take place in the institutions facilities, during travel, at a class or training program sponsored by the institution at another location, or elsewhere they occurred on or off campus where such incidents could interfere with a students equitable access to education. campus, if, based on the allegations, there is any reason to believe that the incident could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education.(C)If a student files a complaint with the institution regarding an incident that took place on campus, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. If a student files a complaint regarding an incident that took place off campus, the institution shall evaluate the complaint to determine if there is a nexus between the off-campus incident and the institution such that the incident could contribute to a hostile environment on campus. If such a nexus exists, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, a nexus to the campus exists whenever the incident complained of is so grievous and the likelihood of continuing to encounter the perpetrator on campus is so credible that inaction would deprive the complainant of the benefits of any education program. The requirements of this subparagraph modify any other provisions in this chapter that are inconsistent with these requirements to the extent that the modification is permissible under state and federal law.(D)If(C) (i) Regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures, if the institution knows, or reasonably should know, about possible sexual harassment that could create a hostile or offensive educational environment on campus, involving individuals subject to the institutions policies at the time, the institution shall promptly investigate. investigate to determine whether the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, or otherwise respond if the institution determines that an investigation is not required. If the institution investigates and determines that sexual harassment creating a hostile environment on campus has the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, whether the harassment occurred on or off campus, it shall immediately take all reasonable steps to eliminate end the harassment, address the hostile environment, if one has been created, prevent its recurrence, and address its affects, regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures. effects. A postsecondary institution shall be deemed to have notice presumed to know of sexual harassment if a responsible employee knew knew, or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known known, about the sexual harassment. The institution may rebut this presumption of knowledge if it shows all of the following:(I) The institution provides training and requires all nonconfidential responsible employees to report sexual harassment.(II) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question was provided training and direction to report sexual harassment.(III) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question failed to report it.(ii) The institution shall consider and respond to requests for accommodations relating to prior incidents of sexual harassment that could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education where both individuals are, at the time of the request, subject to the institutions policies.(D) (i) If a complainant requests confidentiality, which could preclude a meaningful investigation or potential discipline of the potential respondent, or that no investigation or disciplinary action be pursued to address alleged sexual harassment, the institution shall take the request seriously, while at the same time considering its responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including for the complainant. The institution shall generally grant the request. In determining whether to disclose a complainants identity or proceed to an investigation over the objection of the complainant, the institution may consider whether any of the following apply:(I) There are multiple or prior reports of sexual misconduct against the respondent.(II) The respondent reportedly used a weapon, physical restraints, or engaged in battery.(III) The respondent is a faculty or staff member with oversight of students.(IV) There is a power imbalance between the complainant and respondent.(V) The complainant believes that the complainant will be less safe if the complainants name is disclosed or an investigation is conducted.(VI) The institution is able to conduct a thorough investigation and obtain relevant evidence in the absence of the complainants cooperation.(ii) If the institution determines that it can honor the students request for confidentiality, it shall still take reasonable steps to respond to the complaint, consistent with the request, to limit the effects of the alleged sexual harassment and prevent its recurrence without initiating formal action against the alleged perpetrator or revealing the identity of the complainant. These steps may include increased monitoring, supervision, or security at locations or activities where the alleged misconduct occurred; providing additional training and education materials for students and employees; or conducting climate surveys regarding sexual violence. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant while keeping the complainants identity confidential as appropriate. These steps may include changing living arrangements or course schedules, assignments, or tests. The complainant shall be notified that the steps the institution will take to respond to the complaint will be limited by the request for confidentiality.(iii) If the institution determines that it must disclose the complainants identity to the respondent or proceed with an investigation, it shall inform the complainant prior to making this disclosure or initiating the investigation. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant where appropriate. In the event the complainant requests that the institution inform the respondent that the student asked the institution not to investigate or seek discipline, the institution shall honor this request.(4)It shall create reasonable procedures for the process to investigate violations of the policies adopted or amended pursuant to this section, including instituting reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, deadlines, and page or word limitations on student party submissions, in order that parties may be aware of and can follow those procedures. The institution shall include, but is not limited to including pursuant to these procedures, a prohibition on the consideration of past sexual relations by themselves as probative of whether the alleged incident occurred.(5)(4) (A) It shall adopt and publish on its internet website grievance procedures that provide for prompt and equitable resolution of student sexual harassment complaints filed by a student against an employee, employee or another student, or a third party. student. The grievance procedures shall satisfy all of the following requirements: (i) They shall state that the investigation and adjudication of alleged misconduct under this section is not an adversarial process between the complainant, the respondent, and the witnesses, but rather a process for postsecondary institutions to comply with their obligations under existing law. The complainant does not have the burden to prove, nor does the respondent have the burden to disprove, the underlying allegation or allegations of misconduct.(i)(ii) They shall require notice be provided to each student all students of the grievance procedures, including where and how complaints may be filed.(ii)They shall ensure that a neutral factfinder is the person responsible for investigating the complaint, finding the facts, and making credibility assessments in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, and that person is not the same person or entity responsible for making disciplinary decisions.(iii) They shall ensure that the persons or entities responsible for conducting investigations, finding facts, and making disciplinary decisions are neutral.(iii)(iv) They shall ensure trauma-informed and impartial investigation of complaints, including the opportunity for both parties complaints. Student parties shall be given an opportunity to identify witnesses and other evidence to assist the institution in determining whether a policy violation has occurred. occurred, and shall be informed that any evidence available but not disclosed during the investigation might not be considered at a subsequent hearing.(iv)They shall provide student parties the opportunity to cross-examine one another and any adverse witnesses, if the institution determines that a hearing is required in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, subject to the following rules:(I)The cross-examination shall be live, but either party and any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.(II)The live cross-examination of either party and any witnesses shall be conducted indirectly, through the submission of written questions to the neutral factfinder in advance and with an opportunity for the other party to object.The neutral factfinder shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the neutral factfinder deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the neutral factfinder is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence. The neutral factfinder shall provide a mechanism for both parties to ask, indirectly, through the neutral factfinder, and subject to objections, followup questions to be posed to the cross-examinee.(v) They shall include reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, and may include page or word limitations on party submissions.(vi) They shall include all of the following:(I) The investigator or hearing office shall not consider the past sexual history of a complainant or respondent except in the limited circumstances permitted by this clause.(II) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider prior or subsequent sexual history between the complainant and anyone other than the respondent for any reason unless directly relevant to prove that physical injuries alleged to have been inflicted by the respondent were inflicted by another individual.(III) (ia) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider the existence of a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent unless the evidence is relevant to how the parties communicated consent in prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations.(ib) Where the investigator or hearing officer allows consideration of evidence about a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent pursuant to sub-subclause (ia), the mere fact that the complainant and respondent engaged in other consensual sexual relations with one another is never sufficient, by itself, to establish that the conduct in question was consensual.(IV) Before allowing the consideration of any evidence proffered pursuant to this subdivision, the investigator or hearing officer shall provide a written explanation to the parties as to why consideration of the evidence is consistent with this clause.(vii) They shall prohibit questions of either party or of any witness that are repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing.(viii) They shall provide that the institution shall decide whether or not a hearing is necessary to determine whether any sexual violence more likely than not occurred. In making this decision, an institution may consider whether the parties elected to participate in the investigation and whether each party had the opportunity to suggest questions to be asked of the other party or witnesses, or both, during the investigation. Any hearing shall be subject to the following rules:(I) Any cross-examination of either party or any witness shall not be conducted directly by a party or a partys advisor.(II) Either party or any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.(III) Student parties shall have the opportunity to submit written questions to the hearing officer in advance of the hearing. At the hearing, the other party shall have an opportunity to note an objection to the questions posed. The institution may limit such objections to written form, and neither the hearing officer nor the institution are obligated to respond, other than to include any objection in the record. The hearing officer shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the hearing officer deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the hearing officer is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence.(IV) Generally, the parties may not introduce evidence, including witness testimony, at the hearing that the party did not identify during the investigation and that was available at the time of the investigation. However, the hearing officer has discretion to accept for good cause, or exclude, such new evidence offered at the hearing.(v)(ix) They shall provide an explanation of the meaning of a the preponderance of the evidence standard, and affirm that it shall apply to all investigations of sexual harassment or sexual violence. adjudications under this section. The preponderance of the evidence standard is met if the neutral factfinder institution determines that it is more likely than not that the alleged misconduct occurred, based on the facts available to the neutral factfinder at the time of the decision.(vi)(x) They shall provide a reasonably prompt timeframe for all of the major stages of the complaint process, as well as a process for extending the institutions timelines for good cause only, and shall provide for the prompt communication of that information to the complainant and respondent in a complaint. respondent. The communicated timeline information shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, each of the following: (I) The period during which the institution shall conduct an any investigation.(II) The date by which the parties shall be notified of the outcome of the any investigation.(III) The deadlines and process for parties to appeal, if the institutions grievance procedures include an appeals process. Institutions shall ensure that any rights of appeal are equally available to complainants and respondents.(xi) They shall provide that the institution shall not unreasonably deny a student partys request for an extension of a deadline related to a complaint during periods of examinations or school closures.(vii)(xii) They shall provide for periodic status updates on the investigation consistent with the timelines referenced in clause (vi) (x) to the complainant and respondent. (viii)(xiii) They shall provide for notice in writing to parties of any extension of a time period granted in the investigation and factfinding fact-finding process which that would change the prospective timeframes for the major stages of the complaint process, and the reason for that extension. (ix)(xiv) They shall provide for written notice to parties of the outcome of the complaint, including whether a policy violation was found to have occurred, the basis for that determination, including factual findings, and any discipline imposed.(x)(xv) They shall provide assurance that the institution will take steps to prevent recurrence of any harassment and to correct its discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, if appropriate. (xi)(xvi) They shall require that student parties receive notice that if the institution is conducting a formal investigation. The notice shall include the allegations and the alleged institutional policy violations under review. Any new allegations that arise during the course of the investigation that could subject either party to new or additional sanctions shall be subject to the same notice requirements.(xii)(xvii) They shall afford both student parties the opportunity to each have a support person or adviser accompany a the student party during key stages of the investigation and hearing processes, if requested. any stage of the process.(xviii) They shall advise student parties of their right to consult with an attorney, at their own expense, at any stage of the process if they wish to do so. An attorney may serve as a support person or adviser pursuant to clause (xvii).(xiii)(xix) They shall require that student parties receive a notice regarding appropriate counseling resources developed and maintained by the institution for student parties in school misconduct matters involving sexualviolence. harassment.The notice shall also advise student parties of their right to seek the assistance of an attorney at any stage of the process if they wish to do so.(xiv)(xx) They shall allow either party to appeal the outcome of the grievance proceeding if the institution has such an appeals process for an investigation pursuant to this section. process. An institutions grievance procedure may limit the grounds for an appeal, provided that any limitation shall apply equally to all parties. parties and that the nonappealing party shall have an opportunity to respond to the appeal.(xv)(xxi) They shall outline the possible interim measures that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation, the supportive measures that may be provided in the absence of an investigation, and the disciplinary outcomes, remedial measures, and systemic remedies that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation and following follow a final finding of responsibility, pursuant subject to all of the following:(I) An institution shall not mandate mediation to resolve allegations of sexual violence. harassment, and shall not allow mediation, even on a voluntary basis, to resolve allegations of sexual violence.(II) An institution shall not require that the complainant enter a voluntary resolution agreement or any other form of resolution as a prerequisite to receiving remedial measures from the institution which safeguard the complainants access to education.(III) (ia) When requested by a complainant or otherwise determined to be appropriate, an institution shall issue an interim no-contact directive prohibiting the respondent from contacting the complainant during the pendency of the investigation. An institution shall not issue an interim mutual no-contact directive automatically when an allegation of harm has been made against only one of the parties and shall only issue a mutual no-contact directive if there is reason to believe that the complainant has harmed or threatened to harm the respondent, or has interfered with, or threatened behavior that would interfere with, the investigation or disciplinary proceedings through contact with the respondent. automatically, but instead shall consider the specific circumstances of each case to determine whether a mutual no-contact directive is necessary or justifiable to protect the noncomplaining partys safety or well-being, or to respond to interference with an investigation. A no-contact directive issued after a decision of responsibility has been made by a neutral decisionmaker shall be unilateral and only apply against the party found responsible.(ib) Upon the issuance of a mutual no-contact directive, an institution shall provide the party or parties subject to that directive parties with a written justification for the directive and an explanation of the terms of the directive, directive. Upon the issuance of any no-contact directive, the institution shall provide the parties with an explanation of the terms of the directive, including the circumstances, if any, under which violation could be subject to disciplinary action.(xvi)(xxii) They shall describe the obligations of all faculty and staff designated by the institution as required to report concerns of sexual harassment to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee, consistent with the requirement in paragraph (2). An individual who has a confidential relationship with a student or students by law is exempt from having to report sexual harassment concerns to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee. employee, unless otherwise required by law.(xvii)(xxiii) They shall contain a requirement that the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or that employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee assess each report of sexual harassment and provide outreach, as appropriate, to each identifiable student who is alleged to be the victim of the reported conduct. The outreach shall include all of the following information:(I) The institution has received a report that the student may have been a victim of sexual harassment.(II) The prohibition of retaliation. A statement that retaliation for filing a complaint or participating in a complaint process, or both, under this section is prohibited.(III) Behavioral health services at Counseling resources within the institution or in the community.(IV) If there is the possibility of a criminal act, Where a crime may have occurred, notice that the student has the right, but not the obligation, to report the matter to law enforcement.(V) The institutions investigation procedures established pursuant to the requirements of this section.(VI) Potential interim measures, such as no-contact directives, housing changes, and academic schedule changes, where applicable.(VII) The importance of preserving evidence.(VIII) A request for the student to meet with the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee to discuss options for responding to the report.(IX) The manner in which the institution responds to reports of sexual harassment and a description of potential disciplinary consequences.(B) The grievance procedures shall also provide a process for a student to report sexual harassment by a third party. The institution shall respond to those reports to address or prevent a hostile educational environment or to ensure students access to education. Nothing in this paragraph section shall establish any duty or obligation owed by a postsecondary institution to nonstudent parties that does not already exist by statute or agreement.(6)(5) It shall publish in a prominent place on its internet website, with accompanying text clearly associating them with the sexual harassment and sexual violence grievance processes, the name, title, and contact information, which shall include the telephone number, office location, and email address, of each of the following individuals:(A) The employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee. Title IX coordinator or other designated employee.(B) Any individual official within the institution with the authority to investigate complaints made pursuant to this section or to institute corrective measures such as sanctions, accommodation, accommodations, or other forms of resolution of the complaint.(7)(6) (A) It shall provide the mandatory training required pursuant to described in paragraph (12) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386 to each employee engaged in the grievance procedures related to sex discrimination, including sexual violence, which shall include for these employees training on (i) trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices that help ensure an impartial and equitable process, (ii) best practices for assessment of a sexual harassment or sexual violence complaint, (iii) best practices for questioning of the complainant, respondent, and witnesses, and on (iv) implicit bias and racial inequities, both broadly and in school disciplinary processes.(B) Materials approved by the institution for this training shall include statistics on the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual violence in the educational setting, and the differing rates at which students experience sexual harassment and sexual assault in the educational setting based on their race, sexual orientation, disability, gender, and gender identity. When possible, citation to such statistics shall be included in the written antidiscrimination sexual harassment policies required by Section 66281.5 accompanying the institutions grievance procedures.(8)(7) If the institution has on-campus housing, it shall ensure that residential life student and nonstudent staff, or their equivalent, annually receive training on how to handle, in a trauma-informed manner, reports made to them of sexual harassment or sexual violence, and situations in which they are aware of sexual harassment or sexual violence, in student residential facilities.(9)(8) It shall notify employees of the obligation to report harassment to appropriate school officials.(10)(9) It shall provide training to all employees on the identification of sexual harassment, including the person to whom it should be reported. This paragraph does not require an institution to provide separate training for identification of sexual harassment. The school may include this requirement in existing employee training on sexual harassment.(c) This section does not require a school to provide separate grievance procedures for student sexual harassment complaints. The school may use student disciplinary procedures or other separate procedures to resolve sexual harassment complaints. Any procedures used to investigate complaints of sexual harassment, including disciplinary procedures, shall afford a complainant and a respondent a prompt and equitable resolution. If the school relies on existing procedures for compliance with the requirements of this section, the Title IX officer or designated employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) shall review the schools procedures to ensure that they comply with the requirements of this section.(d)(1)Either of the following persons may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin a violation of this section or to recover compensatory damages, court costs, and reasonable attorneys fees, or any combination thereof, as specified: (A)The Attorney General, consistent with the Attorney Generals existing authority under Section 13 of Article V of the California Constitution and Article 2 (commencing with Section 11180) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to investigate, and, as necessary, prosecute any violation of the law. The Attorney General may also conduct an investigation or bring an action under this section.(B)A postsecondary institution student or former student who alleges to have suffered injury in fact. The violation shall allegedly be the proximate cause of the injury in fact.(2)A violation of this section is established by the Attorney General or a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) by demonstrating in an action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction any of the following:(A)That a recipient institutions written policy does not conform to the requirements of this section.(B)That a recipient institution engages in a nonconforming process that does not substantially and materially comply with its written policy.(C)That a recipient institution, by an act or actions of one of its employees, knowingly violated the requirements of this section. (3)(A)Notwithstanding any other law, prior to filing a civil action, a person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section shall give written notice by certified mail to the postsecondary institution and to the Attorney General, of the specific provisions of this section alleged to have been violated, including the facts and theories to support the alleged violation and injury.(B)A person alleging injury may commence a civil action seeking damages 90 days after the date of the postsecondary institutions receipt of the notice.(C)A person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section may commence a civil action exclusively seeking injunctive relief at any time following written notice pursuant to subparagraph (A).(4)A court may grant compensatory damages as relief in any action filed pursuant to this section by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) provided all of the following are demonstrated:(A)The person suffered an injury in fact.(B)The defendant institution was in violation of this section, as described in paragraph (2), at the time of the alleged injury.(C)The violation of this section by the defendant institution was a proximate cause of the alleged injury.(5)In civil actions brought by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), the court, in its discretion, may award to the prevailing party reasonable attorneys fees and costs, including expert witness fees, except that, notwithstanding Section 998 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a prevailing defendant shall not be awarded fees and costs unless the court finds the action was frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless when brought, or the plaintiff continued to litigate after it clearly became so.(6)A person shall bring an action alleging a violation of this section no later than the statute of limitations applicable to a personal injury claim in California at the time the cause of action accrues.(7)In addition to compensatory damages, injunctive relief or other remedies appropriate to the circumstances may also be available to injured parties who file a civil action under this section.(8)If an action brought by the Attorney General establishes a postsecondary institution violated this section pursuant to subdivision (B), the court may assess a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per day the postsecondary institution remains in violation, and not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) total per violation. In determining the amount of the penalty, the court shall consider all of the following:(A)The extent and seriousness of the violation.(B)Any failure to address previously identified violations.(C)Any demonstrated harm imposed by the violation.(9)An action for damages pursuant to this subdivision shall not be subject to the claims presentation requirements of the Government Claims Act (Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1 of the Government Code).(d) A violation of this section may constitute discrimination and shall be subject to a civil action brought pursuant to Sections 66292.3 and 66292.4.(e) The requirements of this section shall be implemented at each postsecondary institution by no later than January 1, 2021. 2022.(f) If on or after the date of implementation, any provision of the act that adds this section conflicts with federal law, that provision shall be rendered inoperative for the duration of the conflict and without affecting the whole.(g) (1) Any case law interpreting procedural requirements or process that is due to student complainants or respondents when adjudicating complaints of sexual or gender-based violence, including dating or domestic violence, at postsecondary educational institutions in the State of California shall have no retroactive effect. (2) Any case law that conflicts with the provisions of the act that adds this section shall be superseded as of this statutes effective date.
66281.8. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Postsecondary institution means a campus of the University of California, the California State University, or the California Community Colleges, a private postsecondary educational institution, or an independent institution of higher education that receives state funds, including state funds for student financial assistance.(2) (A) Responsible employee means any an employee who has the authority to take action to redress harassment, sexual harassment or provide supportive measures to students, or who has the duty to report sexual harassment to an appropriate school officials sexual harassment or any other misconduct by students or employees, or an individual who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or responsibility. official who has that authority.(B) Responsible employee includes, but is not limited to, those individuals with any of the following positions or substantially similar positions or job duties, regardless of the specific title the institution may attach to the position:(i) Title IX coordinator or other coordinator designated to comply with and carry out the institutions responsibilities under this section.(ii) Residential advisors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.(iii) Housing directors, coordinators, or deans.(iv) Student life directors, coordinators, or deans.(v) Athletic directors, coordinators, or deans.(vi) Coaches of any student athletic or academic team or activity.(vii) Faculty and associate faculty, teachers, instructors, or lecturers.(viii) Graduate student instructors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.(ix) Laboratory directors, coordinators, or principal investigators.(x) Internship or externship directors or coordinators.(xi) Study abroad program directors or coordinators.(C) (i) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), responsible employee does not include those individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) who are also any of the following:(I) A therapist or other professional described in Sections 990, 1010, 1030, 1035, and 1037 of the Evidence Code, including a University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.(II) A University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.(III) A California State University victim advocate or other position with similar responsibilities.(IV) An individual acting in a professional capacity for which confidentiality is mandated by law.(ii) An individual described in clause (i) shall inform each student who provides the individual with information regarding sexual harassment of the students ability to report to a responsible employee and direct the student to those specific reporting resources.(b) In Notwithstanding Section 67400, in order to receive state funds for student financial assistance, assistance, as defined in Section 213, the appropriate governing board or body of each postsecondary institution shall implement, and at all times comply with, all of the following requirements at the institution: (1) It shall disseminate, by electronic or other means, a notice of nondiscrimination, including, but not limited to, all information required to be included in the notice provided pursuant to Section 66281.5, to each: all of the following:(A) Employee Each employee of the postsecondary institution. (B) Volunteer Each volunteer who will regularly interact with students.(C) Individual Each individual or entity under contract with the postsecondary institution to perform any service involving regular interaction with students at the institution. (2) It shall designate at least one employee of the institution to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under this section. The employee may be the same individual as the institutions federal Title IX coordinator. The employee shall have adequate training on what constitutes sexual harassment and on trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices practices, and shall understand how the institutions grievance procedures operate. (3) It shall adopt rules and procedures within the policies required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.) and Section 67386 for the prevention of sexual harassment that also provide for all of the following elements: (A) The institutions primary concern shall be student safety. Any disciplinary measures imposed by the institution for violations of the institutions student conduct policy at or near the time of the incident being investigated shall be consistent with paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386. (B) The institution shall take reasonable steps to respond to sex discrimination each incident of sexual harassment involving individuals subject to the institutions policies that occur in connection with all academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs any educational activity or other program of the institution, as well as incidents that occurred outside of those educational programs or activities, whether those programs take place in the institutions facilities, during travel, at a class or training program sponsored by the institution at another location, or elsewhere they occurred on or off campus where such incidents could interfere with a students equitable access to education. campus, if, based on the allegations, there is any reason to believe that the incident could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education.(C)If a student files a complaint with the institution regarding an incident that took place on campus, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. If a student files a complaint regarding an incident that took place off campus, the institution shall evaluate the complaint to determine if there is a nexus between the off-campus incident and the institution such that the incident could contribute to a hostile environment on campus. If such a nexus exists, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, a nexus to the campus exists whenever the incident complained of is so grievous and the likelihood of continuing to encounter the perpetrator on campus is so credible that inaction would deprive the complainant of the benefits of any education program. The requirements of this subparagraph modify any other provisions in this chapter that are inconsistent with these requirements to the extent that the modification is permissible under state and federal law.(D)If(C) (i) Regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures, if the institution knows, or reasonably should know, about possible sexual harassment that could create a hostile or offensive educational environment on campus, involving individuals subject to the institutions policies at the time, the institution shall promptly investigate. investigate to determine whether the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, or otherwise respond if the institution determines that an investigation is not required. If the institution investigates and determines that sexual harassment creating a hostile environment on campus has the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, whether the harassment occurred on or off campus, it shall immediately take all reasonable steps to eliminate end the harassment, address the hostile environment, if one has been created, prevent its recurrence, and address its affects, regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures. effects. A postsecondary institution shall be deemed to have notice presumed to know of sexual harassment if a responsible employee knew knew, or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known known, about the sexual harassment. The institution may rebut this presumption of knowledge if it shows all of the following:(I) The institution provides training and requires all nonconfidential responsible employees to report sexual harassment.(II) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question was provided training and direction to report sexual harassment.(III) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question failed to report it.(ii) The institution shall consider and respond to requests for accommodations relating to prior incidents of sexual harassment that could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education where both individuals are, at the time of the request, subject to the institutions policies.(D) (i) If a complainant requests confidentiality, which could preclude a meaningful investigation or potential discipline of the potential respondent, or that no investigation or disciplinary action be pursued to address alleged sexual harassment, the institution shall take the request seriously, while at the same time considering its responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including for the complainant. The institution shall generally grant the request. In determining whether to disclose a complainants identity or proceed to an investigation over the objection of the complainant, the institution may consider whether any of the following apply:(I) There are multiple or prior reports of sexual misconduct against the respondent.(II) The respondent reportedly used a weapon, physical restraints, or engaged in battery.(III) The respondent is a faculty or staff member with oversight of students.(IV) There is a power imbalance between the complainant and respondent.(V) The complainant believes that the complainant will be less safe if the complainants name is disclosed or an investigation is conducted.(VI) The institution is able to conduct a thorough investigation and obtain relevant evidence in the absence of the complainants cooperation.(ii) If the institution determines that it can honor the students request for confidentiality, it shall still take reasonable steps to respond to the complaint, consistent with the request, to limit the effects of the alleged sexual harassment and prevent its recurrence without initiating formal action against the alleged perpetrator or revealing the identity of the complainant. These steps may include increased monitoring, supervision, or security at locations or activities where the alleged misconduct occurred; providing additional training and education materials for students and employees; or conducting climate surveys regarding sexual violence. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant while keeping the complainants identity confidential as appropriate. These steps may include changing living arrangements or course schedules, assignments, or tests. The complainant shall be notified that the steps the institution will take to respond to the complaint will be limited by the request for confidentiality.(iii) If the institution determines that it must disclose the complainants identity to the respondent or proceed with an investigation, it shall inform the complainant prior to making this disclosure or initiating the investigation. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant where appropriate. In the event the complainant requests that the institution inform the respondent that the student asked the institution not to investigate or seek discipline, the institution shall honor this request.(4)It shall create reasonable procedures for the process to investigate violations of the policies adopted or amended pursuant to this section, including instituting reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, deadlines, and page or word limitations on student party submissions, in order that parties may be aware of and can follow those procedures. The institution shall include, but is not limited to including pursuant to these procedures, a prohibition on the consideration of past sexual relations by themselves as probative of whether the alleged incident occurred.(5)(4) (A) It shall adopt and publish on its internet website grievance procedures that provide for prompt and equitable resolution of student sexual harassment complaints filed by a student against an employee, employee or another student, or a third party. student. The grievance procedures shall satisfy all of the following requirements: (i) They shall state that the investigation and adjudication of alleged misconduct under this section is not an adversarial process between the complainant, the respondent, and the witnesses, but rather a process for postsecondary institutions to comply with their obligations under existing law. The complainant does not have the burden to prove, nor does the respondent have the burden to disprove, the underlying allegation or allegations of misconduct.(i)(ii) They shall require notice be provided to each student all students of the grievance procedures, including where and how complaints may be filed.(ii)They shall ensure that a neutral factfinder is the person responsible for investigating the complaint, finding the facts, and making credibility assessments in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, and that person is not the same person or entity responsible for making disciplinary decisions.(iii) They shall ensure that the persons or entities responsible for conducting investigations, finding facts, and making disciplinary decisions are neutral.(iii)(iv) They shall ensure trauma-informed and impartial investigation of complaints, including the opportunity for both parties complaints. Student parties shall be given an opportunity to identify witnesses and other evidence to assist the institution in determining whether a policy violation has occurred. occurred, and shall be informed that any evidence available but not disclosed during the investigation might not be considered at a subsequent hearing.(iv)They shall provide student parties the opportunity to cross-examine one another and any adverse witnesses, if the institution determines that a hearing is required in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, subject to the following rules:(I)The cross-examination shall be live, but either party and any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.(II)The live cross-examination of either party and any witnesses shall be conducted indirectly, through the submission of written questions to the neutral factfinder in advance and with an opportunity for the other party to object.The neutral factfinder shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the neutral factfinder deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the neutral factfinder is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence. The neutral factfinder shall provide a mechanism for both parties to ask, indirectly, through the neutral factfinder, and subject to objections, followup questions to be posed to the cross-examinee.(v) They shall include reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, and may include page or word limitations on party submissions.(vi) They shall include all of the following:(I) The investigator or hearing office shall not consider the past sexual history of a complainant or respondent except in the limited circumstances permitted by this clause.(II) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider prior or subsequent sexual history between the complainant and anyone other than the respondent for any reason unless directly relevant to prove that physical injuries alleged to have been inflicted by the respondent were inflicted by another individual.(III) (ia) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider the existence of a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent unless the evidence is relevant to how the parties communicated consent in prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations.(ib) Where the investigator or hearing officer allows consideration of evidence about a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent pursuant to sub-subclause (ia), the mere fact that the complainant and respondent engaged in other consensual sexual relations with one another is never sufficient, by itself, to establish that the conduct in question was consensual.(IV) Before allowing the consideration of any evidence proffered pursuant to this subdivision, the investigator or hearing officer shall provide a written explanation to the parties as to why consideration of the evidence is consistent with this clause.(vii) They shall prohibit questions of either party or of any witness that are repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing.(viii) They shall provide that the institution shall decide whether or not a hearing is necessary to determine whether any sexual violence more likely than not occurred. In making this decision, an institution may consider whether the parties elected to participate in the investigation and whether each party had the opportunity to suggest questions to be asked of the other party or witnesses, or both, during the investigation. Any hearing shall be subject to the following rules:(I) Any cross-examination of either party or any witness shall not be conducted directly by a party or a partys advisor.(II) Either party or any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.(III) Student parties shall have the opportunity to submit written questions to the hearing officer in advance of the hearing. At the hearing, the other party shall have an opportunity to note an objection to the questions posed. The institution may limit such objections to written form, and neither the hearing officer nor the institution are obligated to respond, other than to include any objection in the record. The hearing officer shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the hearing officer deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the hearing officer is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence.(IV) Generally, the parties may not introduce evidence, including witness testimony, at the hearing that the party did not identify during the investigation and that was available at the time of the investigation. However, the hearing officer has discretion to accept for good cause, or exclude, such new evidence offered at the hearing.(v)(ix) They shall provide an explanation of the meaning of a the preponderance of the evidence standard, and affirm that it shall apply to all investigations of sexual harassment or sexual violence. adjudications under this section. The preponderance of the evidence standard is met if the neutral factfinder institution determines that it is more likely than not that the alleged misconduct occurred, based on the facts available to the neutral factfinder at the time of the decision.(vi)(x) They shall provide a reasonably prompt timeframe for all of the major stages of the complaint process, as well as a process for extending the institutions timelines for good cause only, and shall provide for the prompt communication of that information to the complainant and respondent in a complaint. respondent. The communicated timeline information shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, each of the following: (I) The period during which the institution shall conduct an any investigation.(II) The date by which the parties shall be notified of the outcome of the any investigation.(III) The deadlines and process for parties to appeal, if the institutions grievance procedures include an appeals process. Institutions shall ensure that any rights of appeal are equally available to complainants and respondents.(xi) They shall provide that the institution shall not unreasonably deny a student partys request for an extension of a deadline related to a complaint during periods of examinations or school closures.(vii)(xii) They shall provide for periodic status updates on the investigation consistent with the timelines referenced in clause (vi) (x) to the complainant and respondent. (viii)(xiii) They shall provide for notice in writing to parties of any extension of a time period granted in the investigation and factfinding fact-finding process which that would change the prospective timeframes for the major stages of the complaint process, and the reason for that extension. (ix)(xiv) They shall provide for written notice to parties of the outcome of the complaint, including whether a policy violation was found to have occurred, the basis for that determination, including factual findings, and any discipline imposed.(x)(xv) They shall provide assurance that the institution will take steps to prevent recurrence of any harassment and to correct its discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, if appropriate. (xi)(xvi) They shall require that student parties receive notice that if the institution is conducting a formal investigation. The notice shall include the allegations and the alleged institutional policy violations under review. Any new allegations that arise during the course of the investigation that could subject either party to new or additional sanctions shall be subject to the same notice requirements.(xii)(xvii) They shall afford both student parties the opportunity to each have a support person or adviser accompany a the student party during key stages of the investigation and hearing processes, if requested. any stage of the process.(xviii) They shall advise student parties of their right to consult with an attorney, at their own expense, at any stage of the process if they wish to do so. An attorney may serve as a support person or adviser pursuant to clause (xvii).(xiii)(xix) They shall require that student parties receive a notice regarding appropriate counseling resources developed and maintained by the institution for student parties in school misconduct matters involving sexualviolence. harassment.The notice shall also advise student parties of their right to seek the assistance of an attorney at any stage of the process if they wish to do so.(xiv)(xx) They shall allow either party to appeal the outcome of the grievance proceeding if the institution has such an appeals process for an investigation pursuant to this section. process. An institutions grievance procedure may limit the grounds for an appeal, provided that any limitation shall apply equally to all parties. parties and that the nonappealing party shall have an opportunity to respond to the appeal.(xv)(xxi) They shall outline the possible interim measures that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation, the supportive measures that may be provided in the absence of an investigation, and the disciplinary outcomes, remedial measures, and systemic remedies that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation and following follow a final finding of responsibility, pursuant subject to all of the following:(I) An institution shall not mandate mediation to resolve allegations of sexual violence. harassment, and shall not allow mediation, even on a voluntary basis, to resolve allegations of sexual violence.(II) An institution shall not require that the complainant enter a voluntary resolution agreement or any other form of resolution as a prerequisite to receiving remedial measures from the institution which safeguard the complainants access to education.(III) (ia) When requested by a complainant or otherwise determined to be appropriate, an institution shall issue an interim no-contact directive prohibiting the respondent from contacting the complainant during the pendency of the investigation. An institution shall not issue an interim mutual no-contact directive automatically when an allegation of harm has been made against only one of the parties and shall only issue a mutual no-contact directive if there is reason to believe that the complainant has harmed or threatened to harm the respondent, or has interfered with, or threatened behavior that would interfere with, the investigation or disciplinary proceedings through contact with the respondent. automatically, but instead shall consider the specific circumstances of each case to determine whether a mutual no-contact directive is necessary or justifiable to protect the noncomplaining partys safety or well-being, or to respond to interference with an investigation. A no-contact directive issued after a decision of responsibility has been made by a neutral decisionmaker shall be unilateral and only apply against the party found responsible.(ib) Upon the issuance of a mutual no-contact directive, an institution shall provide the party or parties subject to that directive parties with a written justification for the directive and an explanation of the terms of the directive, directive. Upon the issuance of any no-contact directive, the institution shall provide the parties with an explanation of the terms of the directive, including the circumstances, if any, under which violation could be subject to disciplinary action.(xvi)(xxii) They shall describe the obligations of all faculty and staff designated by the institution as required to report concerns of sexual harassment to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee, consistent with the requirement in paragraph (2). An individual who has a confidential relationship with a student or students by law is exempt from having to report sexual harassment concerns to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee. employee, unless otherwise required by law.(xvii)(xxiii) They shall contain a requirement that the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or that employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee assess each report of sexual harassment and provide outreach, as appropriate, to each identifiable student who is alleged to be the victim of the reported conduct. The outreach shall include all of the following information:(I) The institution has received a report that the student may have been a victim of sexual harassment.(II) The prohibition of retaliation. A statement that retaliation for filing a complaint or participating in a complaint process, or both, under this section is prohibited.(III) Behavioral health services at Counseling resources within the institution or in the community.(IV) If there is the possibility of a criminal act, Where a crime may have occurred, notice that the student has the right, but not the obligation, to report the matter to law enforcement.(V) The institutions investigation procedures established pursuant to the requirements of this section.(VI) Potential interim measures, such as no-contact directives, housing changes, and academic schedule changes, where applicable.(VII) The importance of preserving evidence.(VIII) A request for the student to meet with the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee to discuss options for responding to the report.(IX) The manner in which the institution responds to reports of sexual harassment and a description of potential disciplinary consequences.(B) The grievance procedures shall also provide a process for a student to report sexual harassment by a third party. The institution shall respond to those reports to address or prevent a hostile educational environment or to ensure students access to education. Nothing in this paragraph section shall establish any duty or obligation owed by a postsecondary institution to nonstudent parties that does not already exist by statute or agreement.(6)(5) It shall publish in a prominent place on its internet website, with accompanying text clearly associating them with the sexual harassment and sexual violence grievance processes, the name, title, and contact information, which shall include the telephone number, office location, and email address, of each of the following individuals:(A) The employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee. Title IX coordinator or other designated employee.(B) Any individual official within the institution with the authority to investigate complaints made pursuant to this section or to institute corrective measures such as sanctions, accommodation, accommodations, or other forms of resolution of the complaint.(7)(6) (A) It shall provide the mandatory training required pursuant to described in paragraph (12) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386 to each employee engaged in the grievance procedures related to sex discrimination, including sexual violence, which shall include for these employees training on (i) trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices that help ensure an impartial and equitable process, (ii) best practices for assessment of a sexual harassment or sexual violence complaint, (iii) best practices for questioning of the complainant, respondent, and witnesses, and on (iv) implicit bias and racial inequities, both broadly and in school disciplinary processes.(B) Materials approved by the institution for this training shall include statistics on the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual violence in the educational setting, and the differing rates at which students experience sexual harassment and sexual assault in the educational setting based on their race, sexual orientation, disability, gender, and gender identity. When possible, citation to such statistics shall be included in the written antidiscrimination sexual harassment policies required by Section 66281.5 accompanying the institutions grievance procedures.(8)(7) If the institution has on-campus housing, it shall ensure that residential life student and nonstudent staff, or their equivalent, annually receive training on how to handle, in a trauma-informed manner, reports made to them of sexual harassment or sexual violence, and situations in which they are aware of sexual harassment or sexual violence, in student residential facilities.(9)(8) It shall notify employees of the obligation to report harassment to appropriate school officials.(10)(9) It shall provide training to all employees on the identification of sexual harassment, including the person to whom it should be reported. This paragraph does not require an institution to provide separate training for identification of sexual harassment. The school may include this requirement in existing employee training on sexual harassment.(c) This section does not require a school to provide separate grievance procedures for student sexual harassment complaints. The school may use student disciplinary procedures or other separate procedures to resolve sexual harassment complaints. Any procedures used to investigate complaints of sexual harassment, including disciplinary procedures, shall afford a complainant and a respondent a prompt and equitable resolution. If the school relies on existing procedures for compliance with the requirements of this section, the Title IX officer or designated employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) shall review the schools procedures to ensure that they comply with the requirements of this section.(d)(1)Either of the following persons may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin a violation of this section or to recover compensatory damages, court costs, and reasonable attorneys fees, or any combination thereof, as specified: (A)The Attorney General, consistent with the Attorney Generals existing authority under Section 13 of Article V of the California Constitution and Article 2 (commencing with Section 11180) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to investigate, and, as necessary, prosecute any violation of the law. The Attorney General may also conduct an investigation or bring an action under this section.(B)A postsecondary institution student or former student who alleges to have suffered injury in fact. The violation shall allegedly be the proximate cause of the injury in fact.(2)A violation of this section is established by the Attorney General or a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) by demonstrating in an action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction any of the following:(A)That a recipient institutions written policy does not conform to the requirements of this section.(B)That a recipient institution engages in a nonconforming process that does not substantially and materially comply with its written policy.(C)That a recipient institution, by an act or actions of one of its employees, knowingly violated the requirements of this section. (3)(A)Notwithstanding any other law, prior to filing a civil action, a person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section shall give written notice by certified mail to the postsecondary institution and to the Attorney General, of the specific provisions of this section alleged to have been violated, including the facts and theories to support the alleged violation and injury.(B)A person alleging injury may commence a civil action seeking damages 90 days after the date of the postsecondary institutions receipt of the notice.(C)A person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section may commence a civil action exclusively seeking injunctive relief at any time following written notice pursuant to subparagraph (A).(4)A court may grant compensatory damages as relief in any action filed pursuant to this section by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) provided all of the following are demonstrated:(A)The person suffered an injury in fact.(B)The defendant institution was in violation of this section, as described in paragraph (2), at the time of the alleged injury.(C)The violation of this section by the defendant institution was a proximate cause of the alleged injury.(5)In civil actions brought by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), the court, in its discretion, may award to the prevailing party reasonable attorneys fees and costs, including expert witness fees, except that, notwithstanding Section 998 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a prevailing defendant shall not be awarded fees and costs unless the court finds the action was frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless when brought, or the plaintiff continued to litigate after it clearly became so.(6)A person shall bring an action alleging a violation of this section no later than the statute of limitations applicable to a personal injury claim in California at the time the cause of action accrues.(7)In addition to compensatory damages, injunctive relief or other remedies appropriate to the circumstances may also be available to injured parties who file a civil action under this section.(8)If an action brought by the Attorney General establishes a postsecondary institution violated this section pursuant to subdivision (B), the court may assess a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per day the postsecondary institution remains in violation, and not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) total per violation. In determining the amount of the penalty, the court shall consider all of the following:(A)The extent and seriousness of the violation.(B)Any failure to address previously identified violations.(C)Any demonstrated harm imposed by the violation.(9)An action for damages pursuant to this subdivision shall not be subject to the claims presentation requirements of the Government Claims Act (Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1 of the Government Code).(d) A violation of this section may constitute discrimination and shall be subject to a civil action brought pursuant to Sections 66292.3 and 66292.4.(e) The requirements of this section shall be implemented at each postsecondary institution by no later than January 1, 2021. 2022.(f) If on or after the date of implementation, any provision of the act that adds this section conflicts with federal law, that provision shall be rendered inoperative for the duration of the conflict and without affecting the whole.(g) (1) Any case law interpreting procedural requirements or process that is due to student complainants or respondents when adjudicating complaints of sexual or gender-based violence, including dating or domestic violence, at postsecondary educational institutions in the State of California shall have no retroactive effect. (2) Any case law that conflicts with the provisions of the act that adds this section shall be superseded as of this statutes effective date.
66281.8. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:(1) Postsecondary institution means a campus of the University of California, the California State University, or the California Community Colleges, a private postsecondary educational institution, or an independent institution of higher education that receives state funds, including state funds for student financial assistance.(2) (A) Responsible employee means any an employee who has the authority to take action to redress harassment, sexual harassment or provide supportive measures to students, or who has the duty to report sexual harassment to an appropriate school officials sexual harassment or any other misconduct by students or employees, or an individual who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or responsibility. official who has that authority.(B) Responsible employee includes, but is not limited to, those individuals with any of the following positions or substantially similar positions or job duties, regardless of the specific title the institution may attach to the position:(i) Title IX coordinator or other coordinator designated to comply with and carry out the institutions responsibilities under this section.(ii) Residential advisors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.(iii) Housing directors, coordinators, or deans.(iv) Student life directors, coordinators, or deans.(v) Athletic directors, coordinators, or deans.(vi) Coaches of any student athletic or academic team or activity.(vii) Faculty and associate faculty, teachers, instructors, or lecturers.(viii) Graduate student instructors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.(ix) Laboratory directors, coordinators, or principal investigators.(x) Internship or externship directors or coordinators.(xi) Study abroad program directors or coordinators.(C) (i) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), responsible employee does not include those individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) who are also any of the following:(I) A therapist or other professional described in Sections 990, 1010, 1030, 1035, and 1037 of the Evidence Code, including a University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.(II) A University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.(III) A California State University victim advocate or other position with similar responsibilities.(IV) An individual acting in a professional capacity for which confidentiality is mandated by law.(ii) An individual described in clause (i) shall inform each student who provides the individual with information regarding sexual harassment of the students ability to report to a responsible employee and direct the student to those specific reporting resources.(b) In Notwithstanding Section 67400, in order to receive state funds for student financial assistance, assistance, as defined in Section 213, the appropriate governing board or body of each postsecondary institution shall implement, and at all times comply with, all of the following requirements at the institution: (1) It shall disseminate, by electronic or other means, a notice of nondiscrimination, including, but not limited to, all information required to be included in the notice provided pursuant to Section 66281.5, to each: all of the following:(A) Employee Each employee of the postsecondary institution. (B) Volunteer Each volunteer who will regularly interact with students.(C) Individual Each individual or entity under contract with the postsecondary institution to perform any service involving regular interaction with students at the institution. (2) It shall designate at least one employee of the institution to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under this section. The employee may be the same individual as the institutions federal Title IX coordinator. The employee shall have adequate training on what constitutes sexual harassment and on trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices practices, and shall understand how the institutions grievance procedures operate. (3) It shall adopt rules and procedures within the policies required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.) and Section 67386 for the prevention of sexual harassment that also provide for all of the following elements: (A) The institutions primary concern shall be student safety. Any disciplinary measures imposed by the institution for violations of the institutions student conduct policy at or near the time of the incident being investigated shall be consistent with paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386. (B) The institution shall take reasonable steps to respond to sex discrimination each incident of sexual harassment involving individuals subject to the institutions policies that occur in connection with all academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs any educational activity or other program of the institution, as well as incidents that occurred outside of those educational programs or activities, whether those programs take place in the institutions facilities, during travel, at a class or training program sponsored by the institution at another location, or elsewhere they occurred on or off campus where such incidents could interfere with a students equitable access to education. campus, if, based on the allegations, there is any reason to believe that the incident could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education.(C)If a student files a complaint with the institution regarding an incident that took place on campus, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. If a student files a complaint regarding an incident that took place off campus, the institution shall evaluate the complaint to determine if there is a nexus between the off-campus incident and the institution such that the incident could contribute to a hostile environment on campus. If such a nexus exists, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, a nexus to the campus exists whenever the incident complained of is so grievous and the likelihood of continuing to encounter the perpetrator on campus is so credible that inaction would deprive the complainant of the benefits of any education program. The requirements of this subparagraph modify any other provisions in this chapter that are inconsistent with these requirements to the extent that the modification is permissible under state and federal law.(D)If(C) (i) Regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures, if the institution knows, or reasonably should know, about possible sexual harassment that could create a hostile or offensive educational environment on campus, involving individuals subject to the institutions policies at the time, the institution shall promptly investigate. investigate to determine whether the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, or otherwise respond if the institution determines that an investigation is not required. If the institution investigates and determines that sexual harassment creating a hostile environment on campus has the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, whether the harassment occurred on or off campus, it shall immediately take all reasonable steps to eliminate end the harassment, address the hostile environment, if one has been created, prevent its recurrence, and address its affects, regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures. effects. A postsecondary institution shall be deemed to have notice presumed to know of sexual harassment if a responsible employee knew knew, or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known known, about the sexual harassment. The institution may rebut this presumption of knowledge if it shows all of the following:(I) The institution provides training and requires all nonconfidential responsible employees to report sexual harassment.(II) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question was provided training and direction to report sexual harassment.(III) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question failed to report it.(ii) The institution shall consider and respond to requests for accommodations relating to prior incidents of sexual harassment that could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education where both individuals are, at the time of the request, subject to the institutions policies.(D) (i) If a complainant requests confidentiality, which could preclude a meaningful investigation or potential discipline of the potential respondent, or that no investigation or disciplinary action be pursued to address alleged sexual harassment, the institution shall take the request seriously, while at the same time considering its responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including for the complainant. The institution shall generally grant the request. In determining whether to disclose a complainants identity or proceed to an investigation over the objection of the complainant, the institution may consider whether any of the following apply:(I) There are multiple or prior reports of sexual misconduct against the respondent.(II) The respondent reportedly used a weapon, physical restraints, or engaged in battery.(III) The respondent is a faculty or staff member with oversight of students.(IV) There is a power imbalance between the complainant and respondent.(V) The complainant believes that the complainant will be less safe if the complainants name is disclosed or an investigation is conducted.(VI) The institution is able to conduct a thorough investigation and obtain relevant evidence in the absence of the complainants cooperation.(ii) If the institution determines that it can honor the students request for confidentiality, it shall still take reasonable steps to respond to the complaint, consistent with the request, to limit the effects of the alleged sexual harassment and prevent its recurrence without initiating formal action against the alleged perpetrator or revealing the identity of the complainant. These steps may include increased monitoring, supervision, or security at locations or activities where the alleged misconduct occurred; providing additional training and education materials for students and employees; or conducting climate surveys regarding sexual violence. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant while keeping the complainants identity confidential as appropriate. These steps may include changing living arrangements or course schedules, assignments, or tests. The complainant shall be notified that the steps the institution will take to respond to the complaint will be limited by the request for confidentiality.(iii) If the institution determines that it must disclose the complainants identity to the respondent or proceed with an investigation, it shall inform the complainant prior to making this disclosure or initiating the investigation. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant where appropriate. In the event the complainant requests that the institution inform the respondent that the student asked the institution not to investigate or seek discipline, the institution shall honor this request.(4)It shall create reasonable procedures for the process to investigate violations of the policies adopted or amended pursuant to this section, including instituting reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, deadlines, and page or word limitations on student party submissions, in order that parties may be aware of and can follow those procedures. The institution shall include, but is not limited to including pursuant to these procedures, a prohibition on the consideration of past sexual relations by themselves as probative of whether the alleged incident occurred.(5)(4) (A) It shall adopt and publish on its internet website grievance procedures that provide for prompt and equitable resolution of student sexual harassment complaints filed by a student against an employee, employee or another student, or a third party. student. The grievance procedures shall satisfy all of the following requirements: (i) They shall state that the investigation and adjudication of alleged misconduct under this section is not an adversarial process between the complainant, the respondent, and the witnesses, but rather a process for postsecondary institutions to comply with their obligations under existing law. The complainant does not have the burden to prove, nor does the respondent have the burden to disprove, the underlying allegation or allegations of misconduct.(i)(ii) They shall require notice be provided to each student all students of the grievance procedures, including where and how complaints may be filed.(ii)They shall ensure that a neutral factfinder is the person responsible for investigating the complaint, finding the facts, and making credibility assessments in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, and that person is not the same person or entity responsible for making disciplinary decisions.(iii) They shall ensure that the persons or entities responsible for conducting investigations, finding facts, and making disciplinary decisions are neutral.(iii)(iv) They shall ensure trauma-informed and impartial investigation of complaints, including the opportunity for both parties complaints. Student parties shall be given an opportunity to identify witnesses and other evidence to assist the institution in determining whether a policy violation has occurred. occurred, and shall be informed that any evidence available but not disclosed during the investigation might not be considered at a subsequent hearing.(iv)They shall provide student parties the opportunity to cross-examine one another and any adverse witnesses, if the institution determines that a hearing is required in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, subject to the following rules:(I)The cross-examination shall be live, but either party and any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.(II)The live cross-examination of either party and any witnesses shall be conducted indirectly, through the submission of written questions to the neutral factfinder in advance and with an opportunity for the other party to object.The neutral factfinder shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the neutral factfinder deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the neutral factfinder is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence. The neutral factfinder shall provide a mechanism for both parties to ask, indirectly, through the neutral factfinder, and subject to objections, followup questions to be posed to the cross-examinee.(v) They shall include reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, and may include page or word limitations on party submissions.(vi) They shall include all of the following:(I) The investigator or hearing office shall not consider the past sexual history of a complainant or respondent except in the limited circumstances permitted by this clause.(II) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider prior or subsequent sexual history between the complainant and anyone other than the respondent for any reason unless directly relevant to prove that physical injuries alleged to have been inflicted by the respondent were inflicted by another individual.(III) (ia) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider the existence of a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent unless the evidence is relevant to how the parties communicated consent in prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations.(ib) Where the investigator or hearing officer allows consideration of evidence about a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent pursuant to sub-subclause (ia), the mere fact that the complainant and respondent engaged in other consensual sexual relations with one another is never sufficient, by itself, to establish that the conduct in question was consensual.(IV) Before allowing the consideration of any evidence proffered pursuant to this subdivision, the investigator or hearing officer shall provide a written explanation to the parties as to why consideration of the evidence is consistent with this clause.(vii) They shall prohibit questions of either party or of any witness that are repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing.(viii) They shall provide that the institution shall decide whether or not a hearing is necessary to determine whether any sexual violence more likely than not occurred. In making this decision, an institution may consider whether the parties elected to participate in the investigation and whether each party had the opportunity to suggest questions to be asked of the other party or witnesses, or both, during the investigation. Any hearing shall be subject to the following rules:(I) Any cross-examination of either party or any witness shall not be conducted directly by a party or a partys advisor.(II) Either party or any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.(III) Student parties shall have the opportunity to submit written questions to the hearing officer in advance of the hearing. At the hearing, the other party shall have an opportunity to note an objection to the questions posed. The institution may limit such objections to written form, and neither the hearing officer nor the institution are obligated to respond, other than to include any objection in the record. The hearing officer shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the hearing officer deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the hearing officer is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence.(IV) Generally, the parties may not introduce evidence, including witness testimony, at the hearing that the party did not identify during the investigation and that was available at the time of the investigation. However, the hearing officer has discretion to accept for good cause, or exclude, such new evidence offered at the hearing.(v)(ix) They shall provide an explanation of the meaning of a the preponderance of the evidence standard, and affirm that it shall apply to all investigations of sexual harassment or sexual violence. adjudications under this section. The preponderance of the evidence standard is met if the neutral factfinder institution determines that it is more likely than not that the alleged misconduct occurred, based on the facts available to the neutral factfinder at the time of the decision.(vi)(x) They shall provide a reasonably prompt timeframe for all of the major stages of the complaint process, as well as a process for extending the institutions timelines for good cause only, and shall provide for the prompt communication of that information to the complainant and respondent in a complaint. respondent. The communicated timeline information shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, each of the following: (I) The period during which the institution shall conduct an any investigation.(II) The date by which the parties shall be notified of the outcome of the any investigation.(III) The deadlines and process for parties to appeal, if the institutions grievance procedures include an appeals process. Institutions shall ensure that any rights of appeal are equally available to complainants and respondents.(xi) They shall provide that the institution shall not unreasonably deny a student partys request for an extension of a deadline related to a complaint during periods of examinations or school closures.(vii)(xii) They shall provide for periodic status updates on the investigation consistent with the timelines referenced in clause (vi) (x) to the complainant and respondent. (viii)(xiii) They shall provide for notice in writing to parties of any extension of a time period granted in the investigation and factfinding fact-finding process which that would change the prospective timeframes for the major stages of the complaint process, and the reason for that extension. (ix)(xiv) They shall provide for written notice to parties of the outcome of the complaint, including whether a policy violation was found to have occurred, the basis for that determination, including factual findings, and any discipline imposed.(x)(xv) They shall provide assurance that the institution will take steps to prevent recurrence of any harassment and to correct its discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, if appropriate. (xi)(xvi) They shall require that student parties receive notice that if the institution is conducting a formal investigation. The notice shall include the allegations and the alleged institutional policy violations under review. Any new allegations that arise during the course of the investigation that could subject either party to new or additional sanctions shall be subject to the same notice requirements.(xii)(xvii) They shall afford both student parties the opportunity to each have a support person or adviser accompany a the student party during key stages of the investigation and hearing processes, if requested. any stage of the process.(xviii) They shall advise student parties of their right to consult with an attorney, at their own expense, at any stage of the process if they wish to do so. An attorney may serve as a support person or adviser pursuant to clause (xvii).(xiii)(xix) They shall require that student parties receive a notice regarding appropriate counseling resources developed and maintained by the institution for student parties in school misconduct matters involving sexualviolence. harassment.The notice shall also advise student parties of their right to seek the assistance of an attorney at any stage of the process if they wish to do so.(xiv)(xx) They shall allow either party to appeal the outcome of the grievance proceeding if the institution has such an appeals process for an investigation pursuant to this section. process. An institutions grievance procedure may limit the grounds for an appeal, provided that any limitation shall apply equally to all parties. parties and that the nonappealing party shall have an opportunity to respond to the appeal.(xv)(xxi) They shall outline the possible interim measures that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation, the supportive measures that may be provided in the absence of an investigation, and the disciplinary outcomes, remedial measures, and systemic remedies that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation and following follow a final finding of responsibility, pursuant subject to all of the following:(I) An institution shall not mandate mediation to resolve allegations of sexual violence. harassment, and shall not allow mediation, even on a voluntary basis, to resolve allegations of sexual violence.(II) An institution shall not require that the complainant enter a voluntary resolution agreement or any other form of resolution as a prerequisite to receiving remedial measures from the institution which safeguard the complainants access to education.(III) (ia) When requested by a complainant or otherwise determined to be appropriate, an institution shall issue an interim no-contact directive prohibiting the respondent from contacting the complainant during the pendency of the investigation. An institution shall not issue an interim mutual no-contact directive automatically when an allegation of harm has been made against only one of the parties and shall only issue a mutual no-contact directive if there is reason to believe that the complainant has harmed or threatened to harm the respondent, or has interfered with, or threatened behavior that would interfere with, the investigation or disciplinary proceedings through contact with the respondent. automatically, but instead shall consider the specific circumstances of each case to determine whether a mutual no-contact directive is necessary or justifiable to protect the noncomplaining partys safety or well-being, or to respond to interference with an investigation. A no-contact directive issued after a decision of responsibility has been made by a neutral decisionmaker shall be unilateral and only apply against the party found responsible.(ib) Upon the issuance of a mutual no-contact directive, an institution shall provide the party or parties subject to that directive parties with a written justification for the directive and an explanation of the terms of the directive, directive. Upon the issuance of any no-contact directive, the institution shall provide the parties with an explanation of the terms of the directive, including the circumstances, if any, under which violation could be subject to disciplinary action.(xvi)(xxii) They shall describe the obligations of all faculty and staff designated by the institution as required to report concerns of sexual harassment to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee, consistent with the requirement in paragraph (2). An individual who has a confidential relationship with a student or students by law is exempt from having to report sexual harassment concerns to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee. employee, unless otherwise required by law.(xvii)(xxiii) They shall contain a requirement that the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or that employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee assess each report of sexual harassment and provide outreach, as appropriate, to each identifiable student who is alleged to be the victim of the reported conduct. The outreach shall include all of the following information:(I) The institution has received a report that the student may have been a victim of sexual harassment.(II) The prohibition of retaliation. A statement that retaliation for filing a complaint or participating in a complaint process, or both, under this section is prohibited.(III) Behavioral health services at Counseling resources within the institution or in the community.(IV) If there is the possibility of a criminal act, Where a crime may have occurred, notice that the student has the right, but not the obligation, to report the matter to law enforcement.(V) The institutions investigation procedures established pursuant to the requirements of this section.(VI) Potential interim measures, such as no-contact directives, housing changes, and academic schedule changes, where applicable.(VII) The importance of preserving evidence.(VIII) A request for the student to meet with the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee to discuss options for responding to the report.(IX) The manner in which the institution responds to reports of sexual harassment and a description of potential disciplinary consequences.(B) The grievance procedures shall also provide a process for a student to report sexual harassment by a third party. The institution shall respond to those reports to address or prevent a hostile educational environment or to ensure students access to education. Nothing in this paragraph section shall establish any duty or obligation owed by a postsecondary institution to nonstudent parties that does not already exist by statute or agreement.(6)(5) It shall publish in a prominent place on its internet website, with accompanying text clearly associating them with the sexual harassment and sexual violence grievance processes, the name, title, and contact information, which shall include the telephone number, office location, and email address, of each of the following individuals:(A) The employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee. Title IX coordinator or other designated employee.(B) Any individual official within the institution with the authority to investigate complaints made pursuant to this section or to institute corrective measures such as sanctions, accommodation, accommodations, or other forms of resolution of the complaint.(7)(6) (A) It shall provide the mandatory training required pursuant to described in paragraph (12) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386 to each employee engaged in the grievance procedures related to sex discrimination, including sexual violence, which shall include for these employees training on (i) trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices that help ensure an impartial and equitable process, (ii) best practices for assessment of a sexual harassment or sexual violence complaint, (iii) best practices for questioning of the complainant, respondent, and witnesses, and on (iv) implicit bias and racial inequities, both broadly and in school disciplinary processes.(B) Materials approved by the institution for this training shall include statistics on the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual violence in the educational setting, and the differing rates at which students experience sexual harassment and sexual assault in the educational setting based on their race, sexual orientation, disability, gender, and gender identity. When possible, citation to such statistics shall be included in the written antidiscrimination sexual harassment policies required by Section 66281.5 accompanying the institutions grievance procedures.(8)(7) If the institution has on-campus housing, it shall ensure that residential life student and nonstudent staff, or their equivalent, annually receive training on how to handle, in a trauma-informed manner, reports made to them of sexual harassment or sexual violence, and situations in which they are aware of sexual harassment or sexual violence, in student residential facilities.(9)(8) It shall notify employees of the obligation to report harassment to appropriate school officials.(10)(9) It shall provide training to all employees on the identification of sexual harassment, including the person to whom it should be reported. This paragraph does not require an institution to provide separate training for identification of sexual harassment. The school may include this requirement in existing employee training on sexual harassment.(c) This section does not require a school to provide separate grievance procedures for student sexual harassment complaints. The school may use student disciplinary procedures or other separate procedures to resolve sexual harassment complaints. Any procedures used to investigate complaints of sexual harassment, including disciplinary procedures, shall afford a complainant and a respondent a prompt and equitable resolution. If the school relies on existing procedures for compliance with the requirements of this section, the Title IX officer or designated employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) shall review the schools procedures to ensure that they comply with the requirements of this section.(d)(1)Either of the following persons may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin a violation of this section or to recover compensatory damages, court costs, and reasonable attorneys fees, or any combination thereof, as specified: (A)The Attorney General, consistent with the Attorney Generals existing authority under Section 13 of Article V of the California Constitution and Article 2 (commencing with Section 11180) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to investigate, and, as necessary, prosecute any violation of the law. The Attorney General may also conduct an investigation or bring an action under this section.(B)A postsecondary institution student or former student who alleges to have suffered injury in fact. The violation shall allegedly be the proximate cause of the injury in fact.(2)A violation of this section is established by the Attorney General or a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) by demonstrating in an action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction any of the following:(A)That a recipient institutions written policy does not conform to the requirements of this section.(B)That a recipient institution engages in a nonconforming process that does not substantially and materially comply with its written policy.(C)That a recipient institution, by an act or actions of one of its employees, knowingly violated the requirements of this section. (3)(A)Notwithstanding any other law, prior to filing a civil action, a person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section shall give written notice by certified mail to the postsecondary institution and to the Attorney General, of the specific provisions of this section alleged to have been violated, including the facts and theories to support the alleged violation and injury.(B)A person alleging injury may commence a civil action seeking damages 90 days after the date of the postsecondary institutions receipt of the notice.(C)A person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section may commence a civil action exclusively seeking injunctive relief at any time following written notice pursuant to subparagraph (A).(4)A court may grant compensatory damages as relief in any action filed pursuant to this section by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) provided all of the following are demonstrated:(A)The person suffered an injury in fact.(B)The defendant institution was in violation of this section, as described in paragraph (2), at the time of the alleged injury.(C)The violation of this section by the defendant institution was a proximate cause of the alleged injury.(5)In civil actions brought by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), the court, in its discretion, may award to the prevailing party reasonable attorneys fees and costs, including expert witness fees, except that, notwithstanding Section 998 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a prevailing defendant shall not be awarded fees and costs unless the court finds the action was frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless when brought, or the plaintiff continued to litigate after it clearly became so.(6)A person shall bring an action alleging a violation of this section no later than the statute of limitations applicable to a personal injury claim in California at the time the cause of action accrues.(7)In addition to compensatory damages, injunctive relief or other remedies appropriate to the circumstances may also be available to injured parties who file a civil action under this section.(8)If an action brought by the Attorney General establishes a postsecondary institution violated this section pursuant to subdivision (B), the court may assess a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per day the postsecondary institution remains in violation, and not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) total per violation. In determining the amount of the penalty, the court shall consider all of the following:(A)The extent and seriousness of the violation.(B)Any failure to address previously identified violations.(C)Any demonstrated harm imposed by the violation.(9)An action for damages pursuant to this subdivision shall not be subject to the claims presentation requirements of the Government Claims Act (Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1 of the Government Code).(d) A violation of this section may constitute discrimination and shall be subject to a civil action brought pursuant to Sections 66292.3 and 66292.4.(e) The requirements of this section shall be implemented at each postsecondary institution by no later than January 1, 2021. 2022.(f) If on or after the date of implementation, any provision of the act that adds this section conflicts with federal law, that provision shall be rendered inoperative for the duration of the conflict and without affecting the whole.(g) (1) Any case law interpreting procedural requirements or process that is due to student complainants or respondents when adjudicating complaints of sexual or gender-based violence, including dating or domestic violence, at postsecondary educational institutions in the State of California shall have no retroactive effect. (2) Any case law that conflicts with the provisions of the act that adds this section shall be superseded as of this statutes effective date.
66281.8. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) Postsecondary institution means a campus of the University of California, the California State University, or the California Community Colleges, a private postsecondary educational institution, or an independent institution of higher education that receives state funds, including state funds for student financial assistance.
(2) (A) Responsible employee means any an employee who has the authority to take action to redress harassment, sexual harassment or provide supportive measures to students, or who has the duty to report sexual harassment to an appropriate school officials sexual harassment or any other misconduct by students or employees, or an individual who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or responsibility. official who has that authority.
(B) Responsible employee includes, but is not limited to, those individuals with any of the following positions or substantially similar positions or job duties, regardless of the specific title the institution may attach to the position:
(i) Title IX coordinator or other coordinator designated to comply with and carry out the institutions responsibilities under this section.
(ii) Residential advisors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.
(iii) Housing directors, coordinators, or deans.
(iv) Student life directors, coordinators, or deans.
(v) Athletic directors, coordinators, or deans.
(vi) Coaches of any student athletic or academic team or activity.
(vii) Faculty and associate faculty, teachers, instructors, or lecturers.
(viii) Graduate student instructors, while performing the duties of employment by the institution.
(ix) Laboratory directors, coordinators, or principal investigators.
(x) Internship or externship directors or coordinators.
(xi) Study abroad program directors or coordinators.
(C) (i) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), responsible employee does not include those individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) who are also any of the following:
(I) A therapist or other professional described in Sections 990, 1010, 1030, 1035, and 1037 of the Evidence Code, including a University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.
(II) A University of California Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) director, advocate, or employee.
(III) A California State University victim advocate or other position with similar responsibilities.
(IV) An individual acting in a professional capacity for which confidentiality is mandated by law.
(ii) An individual described in clause (i) shall inform each student who provides the individual with information regarding sexual harassment of the students ability to report to a responsible employee and direct the student to those specific reporting resources.
(b) In Notwithstanding Section 67400, in order to receive state funds for student financial assistance, assistance, as defined in Section 213, the appropriate governing board or body of each postsecondary institution shall implement, and at all times comply with, all of the following requirements at the institution:
(1) It shall disseminate, by electronic or other means, a notice of nondiscrimination, including, but not limited to, all information required to be included in the notice provided pursuant to Section 66281.5, to each: all of the following:
(A) Employee Each employee of the postsecondary institution.
(B) Volunteer Each volunteer who will regularly interact with students.
(C) Individual Each individual or entity under contract with the postsecondary institution to perform any service involving regular interaction with students at the institution.
(2) It shall designate at least one employee of the institution to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under this section. The employee may be the same individual as the institutions federal Title IX coordinator. The employee shall have adequate training on what constitutes sexual harassment and on trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices practices, and shall understand how the institutions grievance procedures operate.
(3) It shall adopt rules and procedures within the policies required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.) and Section 67386 for the prevention of sexual harassment that also provide for all of the following elements:
(A) The institutions primary concern shall be student safety. Any disciplinary measures imposed by the institution for violations of the institutions student conduct policy at or near the time of the incident being investigated shall be consistent with paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386.
(B) The institution shall take reasonable steps to respond to sex discrimination each incident of sexual harassment involving individuals subject to the institutions policies that occur in connection with all academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs any educational activity or other program of the institution, as well as incidents that occurred outside of those educational programs or activities, whether those programs take place in the institutions facilities, during travel, at a class or training program sponsored by the institution at another location, or elsewhere they occurred on or off campus where such incidents could interfere with a students equitable access to education. campus, if, based on the allegations, there is any reason to believe that the incident could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education.
(C)If a student files a complaint with the institution regarding an incident that took place on campus, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. If a student files a complaint regarding an incident that took place off campus, the institution shall evaluate the complaint to determine if there is a nexus between the off-campus incident and the institution such that the incident could contribute to a hostile environment on campus. If such a nexus exists, the institution shall process the complaint in accordance with this section. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, a nexus to the campus exists whenever the incident complained of is so grievous and the likelihood of continuing to encounter the perpetrator on campus is so credible that inaction would deprive the complainant of the benefits of any education program. The requirements of this subparagraph modify any other provisions in this chapter that are inconsistent with these requirements to the extent that the modification is permissible under state and federal law.
(D)If
(C) (i) Regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures, if the institution knows, or reasonably should know, about possible sexual harassment that could create a hostile or offensive educational environment on campus, involving individuals subject to the institutions policies at the time, the institution shall promptly investigate. investigate to determine whether the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, or otherwise respond if the institution determines that an investigation is not required. If the institution investigates and determines that sexual harassment creating a hostile environment on campus has the alleged conduct more likely than not occurred, whether the harassment occurred on or off campus, it shall immediately take all reasonable steps to eliminate end the harassment, address the hostile environment, if one has been created, prevent its recurrence, and address its affects, regardless of whether or not a complaint has been filed under the institutions grievance procedures. effects. A postsecondary institution shall be deemed to have notice presumed to know of sexual harassment if a responsible employee knew knew, or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known known, about the sexual harassment. The institution may rebut this presumption of knowledge if it shows all of the following:
(I) The institution provides training and requires all nonconfidential responsible employees to report sexual harassment.
(II) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question was provided training and direction to report sexual harassment.
(III) Each nonconfidential responsible employee with actual or constructive knowledge of the conduct in question failed to report it.
(ii) The institution shall consider and respond to requests for accommodations relating to prior incidents of sexual harassment that could contribute to a hostile educational environment or otherwise interfere with a students access to education where both individuals are, at the time of the request, subject to the institutions policies.
(D) (i) If a complainant requests confidentiality, which could preclude a meaningful investigation or potential discipline of the potential respondent, or that no investigation or disciplinary action be pursued to address alleged sexual harassment, the institution shall take the request seriously, while at the same time considering its responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including for the complainant. The institution shall generally grant the request. In determining whether to disclose a complainants identity or proceed to an investigation over the objection of the complainant, the institution may consider whether any of the following apply:
(I) There are multiple or prior reports of sexual misconduct against the respondent.
(II) The respondent reportedly used a weapon, physical restraints, or engaged in battery.
(III) The respondent is a faculty or staff member with oversight of students.
(IV) There is a power imbalance between the complainant and respondent.
(V) The complainant believes that the complainant will be less safe if the complainants name is disclosed or an investigation is conducted.
(VI) The institution is able to conduct a thorough investigation and obtain relevant evidence in the absence of the complainants cooperation.
(ii) If the institution determines that it can honor the students request for confidentiality, it shall still take reasonable steps to respond to the complaint, consistent with the request, to limit the effects of the alleged sexual harassment and prevent its recurrence without initiating formal action against the alleged perpetrator or revealing the identity of the complainant. These steps may include increased monitoring, supervision, or security at locations or activities where the alleged misconduct occurred; providing additional training and education materials for students and employees; or conducting climate surveys regarding sexual violence. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant while keeping the complainants identity confidential as appropriate. These steps may include changing living arrangements or course schedules, assignments, or tests. The complainant shall be notified that the steps the institution will take to respond to the complaint will be limited by the request for confidentiality.
(iii) If the institution determines that it must disclose the complainants identity to the respondent or proceed with an investigation, it shall inform the complainant prior to making this disclosure or initiating the investigation. The institution shall also take immediate steps to provide for the safety of the complainant where appropriate. In the event the complainant requests that the institution inform the respondent that the student asked the institution not to investigate or seek discipline, the institution shall honor this request.
(4)It shall create reasonable procedures for the process to investigate violations of the policies adopted or amended pursuant to this section, including instituting reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, deadlines, and page or word limitations on student party submissions, in order that parties may be aware of and can follow those procedures. The institution shall include, but is not limited to including pursuant to these procedures, a prohibition on the consideration of past sexual relations by themselves as probative of whether the alleged incident occurred.
(5)
(4) (A) It shall adopt and publish on its internet website grievance procedures that provide for prompt and equitable resolution of student sexual harassment complaints filed by a student against an employee, employee or another student, or a third party. student. The grievance procedures shall satisfy all of the following requirements:
(i) They shall state that the investigation and adjudication of alleged misconduct under this section is not an adversarial process between the complainant, the respondent, and the witnesses, but rather a process for postsecondary institutions to comply with their obligations under existing law. The complainant does not have the burden to prove, nor does the respondent have the burden to disprove, the underlying allegation or allegations of misconduct.
(i)
(ii) They shall require notice be provided to each student all students of the grievance procedures, including where and how complaints may be filed.
(ii)They shall ensure that a neutral factfinder is the person responsible for investigating the complaint, finding the facts, and making credibility assessments in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, and that person is not the same person or entity responsible for making disciplinary decisions.
(iii) They shall ensure that the persons or entities responsible for conducting investigations, finding facts, and making disciplinary decisions are neutral.
(iii)
(iv) They shall ensure trauma-informed and impartial investigation of complaints, including the opportunity for both parties complaints. Student parties shall be given an opportunity to identify witnesses and other evidence to assist the institution in determining whether a policy violation has occurred. occurred, and shall be informed that any evidence available but not disclosed during the investigation might not be considered at a subsequent hearing.
(iv)They shall provide student parties the opportunity to cross-examine one another and any adverse witnesses, if the institution determines that a hearing is required in order to determine whether a policy violation has occurred, subject to the following rules:
(I)The cross-examination shall be live, but either party and any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.
(II)The live cross-examination of either party and any witnesses shall be conducted indirectly, through the submission of written questions to the neutral factfinder in advance and with an opportunity for the other party to object.The neutral factfinder shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the neutral factfinder deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the neutral factfinder is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence. The neutral factfinder shall provide a mechanism for both parties to ask, indirectly, through the neutral factfinder, and subject to objections, followup questions to be posed to the cross-examinee.
(v) They shall include reasonable and equitable evidentiary guidelines, and may include page or word limitations on party submissions.
(vi) They shall include all of the following:
(I) The investigator or hearing office shall not consider the past sexual history of a complainant or respondent except in the limited circumstances permitted by this clause.
(II) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider prior or subsequent sexual history between the complainant and anyone other than the respondent for any reason unless directly relevant to prove that physical injuries alleged to have been inflicted by the respondent were inflicted by another individual.
(III) (ia) The investigator or hearing officer shall not consider the existence of a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent unless the evidence is relevant to how the parties communicated consent in prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations.
(ib) Where the investigator or hearing officer allows consideration of evidence about a dating relationship or prior or subsequent consensual sexual relations between the complainant and the respondent pursuant to sub-subclause (ia), the mere fact that the complainant and respondent engaged in other consensual sexual relations with one another is never sufficient, by itself, to establish that the conduct in question was consensual.
(IV) Before allowing the consideration of any evidence proffered pursuant to this subdivision, the investigator or hearing officer shall provide a written explanation to the parties as to why consideration of the evidence is consistent with this clause.
(vii) They shall prohibit questions of either party or of any witness that are repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing.
(viii) They shall provide that the institution shall decide whether or not a hearing is necessary to determine whether any sexual violence more likely than not occurred. In making this decision, an institution may consider whether the parties elected to participate in the investigation and whether each party had the opportunity to suggest questions to be asked of the other party or witnesses, or both, during the investigation. Any hearing shall be subject to the following rules:
(I) Any cross-examination of either party or any witness shall not be conducted directly by a party or a partys advisor.
(II) Either party or any witness may request to answer the questions by video from a remote location.
(III) Student parties shall have the opportunity to submit written questions to the hearing officer in advance of the hearing. At the hearing, the other party shall have an opportunity to note an objection to the questions posed. The institution may limit such objections to written form, and neither the hearing officer nor the institution are obligated to respond, other than to include any objection in the record. The hearing officer shall have the authority and obligation to discard or rephrase any question that the hearing officer deems to be repetitive, irrelevant, or harassing. In making these determinations, the hearing officer is not bound by, but may take guidance from, the formal rules of evidence.
(IV) Generally, the parties may not introduce evidence, including witness testimony, at the hearing that the party did not identify during the investigation and that was available at the time of the investigation. However, the hearing officer has discretion to accept for good cause, or exclude, such new evidence offered at the hearing.
(v)
(ix) They shall provide an explanation of the meaning of a the preponderance of the evidence standard, and affirm that it shall apply to all investigations of sexual harassment or sexual violence. adjudications under this section. The preponderance of the evidence standard is met if the neutral factfinder institution determines that it is more likely than not that the alleged misconduct occurred, based on the facts available to the neutral factfinder at the time of the decision.
(vi)
(x) They shall provide a reasonably prompt timeframe for all of the major stages of the complaint process, as well as a process for extending the institutions timelines for good cause only, and shall provide for the prompt communication of that information to the complainant and respondent in a complaint. respondent. The communicated timeline information shall include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, each of the following:
(I) The period during which the institution shall conduct an any investigation.
(II) The date by which the parties shall be notified of the outcome of the any investigation.
(III) The deadlines and process for parties to appeal, if the institutions grievance procedures include an appeals process. Institutions shall ensure that any rights of appeal are equally available to complainants and respondents.
(xi) They shall provide that the institution shall not unreasonably deny a student partys request for an extension of a deadline related to a complaint during periods of examinations or school closures.
(vii)
(xii) They shall provide for periodic status updates on the investigation consistent with the timelines referenced in clause (vi) (x) to the complainant and respondent.
(viii)
(xiii) They shall provide for notice in writing to parties of any extension of a time period granted in the investigation and factfinding fact-finding process which that would change the prospective timeframes for the major stages of the complaint process, and the reason for that extension.
(ix)
(xiv) They shall provide for written notice to parties of the outcome of the complaint, including whether a policy violation was found to have occurred, the basis for that determination, including factual findings, and any discipline imposed.
(x)
(xv) They shall provide assurance that the institution will take steps to prevent recurrence of any harassment and to correct its discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, if appropriate.
(xi)
(xvi) They shall require that student parties receive notice that if the institution is conducting a formal investigation. The notice shall include the allegations and the alleged institutional policy violations under review. Any new allegations that arise during the course of the investigation that could subject either party to new or additional sanctions shall be subject to the same notice requirements.
(xii)
(xvii) They shall afford both student parties the opportunity to each have a support person or adviser accompany a the student party during key stages of the investigation and hearing processes, if requested. any stage of the process.
(xviii) They shall advise student parties of their right to consult with an attorney, at their own expense, at any stage of the process if they wish to do so. An attorney may serve as a support person or adviser pursuant to clause (xvii).
(xiii)
(xix) They shall require that student parties receive a notice regarding appropriate counseling resources developed and maintained by the institution for student parties in school misconduct matters involving sexualviolence. harassment.
The notice shall also advise student parties of their right to seek the assistance of an attorney at any stage of the process if they wish to do so.
(xiv)
(xx) They shall allow either party to appeal the outcome of the grievance proceeding if the institution has such an appeals process for an investigation pursuant to this section. process. An institutions grievance procedure may limit the grounds for an appeal, provided that any limitation shall apply equally to all parties. parties and that the nonappealing party shall have an opportunity to respond to the appeal.
(xv)
(xxi) They shall outline the possible interim measures that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation, the supportive measures that may be provided in the absence of an investigation, and the disciplinary outcomes, remedial measures, and systemic remedies that may be put in place during the pendency of an investigation and following follow a final finding of responsibility, pursuant subject to all of the following:
(I) An institution shall not mandate mediation to resolve allegations of sexual violence. harassment, and shall not allow mediation, even on a voluntary basis, to resolve allegations of sexual violence.
(II) An institution shall not require that the complainant enter a voluntary resolution agreement or any other form of resolution as a prerequisite to receiving remedial measures from the institution which safeguard the complainants access to education.
(III) (ia) When requested by a complainant or otherwise determined to be appropriate, an institution shall issue an interim no-contact directive prohibiting the respondent from contacting the complainant during the pendency of the investigation. An institution shall not issue an interim mutual no-contact directive automatically when an allegation of harm has been made against only one of the parties and shall only issue a mutual no-contact directive if there is reason to believe that the complainant has harmed or threatened to harm the respondent, or has interfered with, or threatened behavior that would interfere with, the investigation or disciplinary proceedings through contact with the respondent. automatically, but instead shall consider the specific circumstances of each case to determine whether a mutual no-contact directive is necessary or justifiable to protect the noncomplaining partys safety or well-being, or to respond to interference with an investigation. A no-contact directive issued after a decision of responsibility has been made by a neutral decisionmaker shall be unilateral and only apply against the party found responsible.
(ib) Upon the issuance of a mutual no-contact directive, an institution shall provide the party or parties subject to that directive parties with a written justification for the directive and an explanation of the terms of the directive, directive. Upon the issuance of any no-contact directive, the institution shall provide the parties with an explanation of the terms of the directive, including the circumstances, if any, under which violation could be subject to disciplinary action.
(xvi)
(xxii) They shall describe the obligations of all faculty and staff designated by the institution as required to report concerns of sexual harassment to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee, consistent with the requirement in paragraph (2). An individual who has a confidential relationship with a student or students by law is exempt from having to report sexual harassment concerns to the Title IX officer coordinator or other designated employee. employee, unless otherwise required by law.
(xvii)
(xxiii) They shall contain a requirement that the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or that employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee assess each report of sexual harassment and provide outreach, as appropriate, to each identifiable student who is alleged to be the victim of the reported conduct. The outreach shall include all of the following information:
(I) The institution has received a report that the student may have been a victim of sexual harassment.
(II) The prohibition of retaliation. A statement that retaliation for filing a complaint or participating in a complaint process, or both, under this section is prohibited.
(III) Behavioral health services at Counseling resources within the institution or in the community.
(IV) If there is the possibility of a criminal act, Where a crime may have occurred, notice that the student has the right, but not the obligation, to report the matter to law enforcement.
(V) The institutions investigation procedures established pursuant to the requirements of this section.
(VI) Potential interim measures, such as no-contact directives, housing changes, and academic schedule changes, where applicable.
(VII) The importance of preserving evidence.
(VIII) A request for the student to meet with the employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee, Title IX coordinator or other designated employee to discuss options for responding to the report.
(IX) The manner in which the institution responds to reports of sexual harassment and a description of potential disciplinary consequences.
(B) The grievance procedures shall also provide a process for a student to report sexual harassment by a third party. The institution shall respond to those reports to address or prevent a hostile educational environment or to ensure students access to education. Nothing in this paragraph section shall establish any duty or obligation owed by a postsecondary institution to nonstudent parties that does not already exist by statute or agreement.
(6)
(5) It shall publish in a prominent place on its internet website, with accompanying text clearly associating them with the sexual harassment and sexual violence grievance processes, the name, title, and contact information, which shall include the telephone number, office location, and email address, of each of the following individuals:
(A) The employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2), or the employees designee. Title IX coordinator or other designated employee.
(B) Any individual official within the institution with the authority to investigate complaints made pursuant to this section or to institute corrective measures such as sanctions, accommodation, accommodations, or other forms of resolution of the complaint.
(7)
(6) (A) It shall provide the mandatory training required pursuant to described in paragraph (12) of subdivision (b) of Section 67386 to each employee engaged in the grievance procedures related to sex discrimination, including sexual violence, which shall include for these employees training on (i) trauma-informed investigatory and hearing practices that help ensure an impartial and equitable process, (ii) best practices for assessment of a sexual harassment or sexual violence complaint, (iii) best practices for questioning of the complainant, respondent, and witnesses, and on (iv) implicit bias and racial inequities, both broadly and in school disciplinary processes.
(B) Materials approved by the institution for this training shall include statistics on the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual violence in the educational setting, and the differing rates at which students experience sexual harassment and sexual assault in the educational setting based on their race, sexual orientation, disability, gender, and gender identity. When possible, citation to such statistics shall be included in the written antidiscrimination sexual harassment policies required by Section 66281.5 accompanying the institutions grievance procedures.
(8)
(7) If the institution has on-campus housing, it shall ensure that residential life student and nonstudent staff, or their equivalent, annually receive training on how to handle, in a trauma-informed manner, reports made to them of sexual harassment or sexual violence, and situations in which they are aware of sexual harassment or sexual violence, in student residential facilities.
(9)
(8) It shall notify employees of the obligation to report harassment to appropriate school officials.
(10)
(9) It shall provide training to all employees on the identification of sexual harassment, including the person to whom it should be reported. This paragraph does not require an institution to provide separate training for identification of sexual harassment. The school may include this requirement in existing employee training on sexual harassment.
(c) This section does not require a school to provide separate grievance procedures for student sexual harassment complaints. The school may use student disciplinary procedures or other separate procedures to resolve sexual harassment complaints. Any procedures used to investigate complaints of sexual harassment, including disciplinary procedures, shall afford a complainant and a respondent a prompt and equitable resolution. If the school relies on existing procedures for compliance with the requirements of this section, the Title IX officer or designated employee designated pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) shall review the schools procedures to ensure that they comply with the requirements of this section.
(d)(1)Either of the following persons may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin a violation of this section or to recover compensatory damages, court costs, and reasonable attorneys fees, or any combination thereof, as specified:
(A)The Attorney General, consistent with the Attorney Generals existing authority under Section 13 of Article V of the California Constitution and Article 2 (commencing with Section 11180) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to investigate, and, as necessary, prosecute any violation of the law. The Attorney General may also conduct an investigation or bring an action under this section.
(B)A postsecondary institution student or former student who alleges to have suffered injury in fact. The violation shall allegedly be the proximate cause of the injury in fact.
(2)A violation of this section is established by the Attorney General or a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) by demonstrating in an action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction any of the following:
(A)That a recipient institutions written policy does not conform to the requirements of this section.
(B)That a recipient institution engages in a nonconforming process that does not substantially and materially comply with its written policy.
(C)That a recipient institution, by an act or actions of one of its employees, knowingly violated the requirements of this section.
(3)(A)Notwithstanding any other law, prior to filing a civil action, a person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section shall give written notice by certified mail to the postsecondary institution and to the Attorney General, of the specific provisions of this section alleged to have been violated, including the facts and theories to support the alleged violation and injury.
(B)A person alleging injury may commence a civil action seeking damages 90 days after the date of the postsecondary institutions receipt of the notice.
(C)A person alleging injury caused by a violation of this section may commence a civil action exclusively seeking injunctive relief at any time following written notice pursuant to subparagraph (A).
(4)A court may grant compensatory damages as relief in any action filed pursuant to this section by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) provided all of the following are demonstrated:
(A)The person suffered an injury in fact.
(B)The defendant institution was in violation of this section, as described in paragraph (2), at the time of the alleged injury.
(C)The violation of this section by the defendant institution was a proximate cause of the alleged injury.
(5)In civil actions brought by a person described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), the court, in its discretion, may award to the prevailing party reasonable attorneys fees and costs, including expert witness fees, except that, notwithstanding Section 998 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a prevailing defendant shall not be awarded fees and costs unless the court finds the action was frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless when brought, or the plaintiff continued to litigate after it clearly became so.
(6)A person shall bring an action alleging a violation of this section no later than the statute of limitations applicable to a personal injury claim in California at the time the cause of action accrues.
(7)In addition to compensatory damages, injunctive relief or other remedies appropriate to the circumstances may also be available to injured parties who file a civil action under this section.
(8)If an action brought by the Attorney General establishes a postsecondary institution violated this section pursuant to subdivision (B), the court may assess a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per day the postsecondary institution remains in violation, and not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) total per violation. In determining the amount of the penalty, the court shall consider all of the following:
(A)The extent and seriousness of the violation.
(B)Any failure to address previously identified violations.
(C)Any demonstrated harm imposed by the violation.
(9)An action for damages pursuant to this subdivision shall not be subject to the claims presentation requirements of the Government Claims Act (Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1 of the Government Code).
(d) A violation of this section may constitute discrimination and shall be subject to a civil action brought pursuant to Sections 66292.3 and 66292.4.
(e) The requirements of this section shall be implemented at each postsecondary institution by no later than January 1, 2021. 2022.
(f) If on or after the date of implementation, any provision of the act that adds this section conflicts with federal law, that provision shall be rendered inoperative for the duration of the conflict and without affecting the whole.
(g) (1) Any case law interpreting procedural requirements or process that is due to student complainants or respondents when adjudicating complaints of sexual or gender-based violence, including dating or domestic violence, at postsecondary educational institutions in the State of California shall have no retroactive effect.
(2) Any case law that conflicts with the provisions of the act that adds this section shall be superseded as of this statutes effective date.
SEC. 4. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 4. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
SEC. 4. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
### SEC. 4.