Texas House Bill HB2918

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to requiring a public institution of higher education to post on its Internet website a status report regarding certain disciplinary processes involving an incident of campus sexual assault.

Note

The bill specifies that information regarding a disciplinary process must remain accessible on the institution's website for at least 90 days post-conclusion and must be preserved indefinitely after removal. This provision reflects an effort to ensure ongoing accountability well after a case has been resolved, which adds a layer of permanence to the accountability measures provided in HB2918.

Impact

The implementation of HB2918 is expected to significantly influence state laws related to campus safety and institutional responsibility. By compelling schools to disclose details surrounding sexual assault disciplinary processes, the bill serves to empower students and parents with greater awareness of how accusations are addressed. Moreover, it encourages institutions to handle cases more diligently, knowing that their processes are under public scrutiny.

Summary

House Bill 2918 mandates that public institutions of higher education in Texas are required to publish a status report on their websites concerning disciplinary processes tied to incidents of campus sexual assault. This legislation aims to enhance accountability and transparency within educational institutions regarding how they handle such sensitive cases. The bill stipulates that each institution must update this report at least once a month, ensuring the information is readily accessible to the public.

Contention

There are potential points of contention linked to this bill, particularly concerning privacy and confidentiality. While the legislation emphasizes transparency by requiring the publication of certain details around disciplinary processes, it explicitly prohibits the identification of alleged perpetrators or victims. This measure, however, has raised discussions about the balance between transparency and the rights of individuals involved in such serious allegations. Furthermore, some may argue that these requirements could deter victims from reporting incidents out of fear of how the process is publicized.