TITLE: Relating to requiring certain public and private institutions of higher education to provide students and employees an option to electronically report certain offenses to the institution.

SUMMARY: Relating to requiring certain public and private institutions of higher education to provide students and employees an option to electronically report certain offenses to the institution.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to requiring certain public and private institutions of higher education to provide students and employees an option to electronically report certain offenses to the institution. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.9365 to read as follows: Sec. 51.9365. ELECTRONIC REPORTING OPTION FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES. (a) In this section: (1) "Family violence" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.004, Family Code. (2) "Postsecondary educational institution" means an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. (b) Each postsecondary educational institution shall provide an option for a student enrolled at or an employee of the institution to electronically report to the institution an allegation of sexual assault, family violence, or stalking committed against or witnessed by the student or employee, regardless of the location at which the alleged offense occurred. (c) The electronic reporting option provided under Subsection (b) must enable a student or employee to report the alleged offense anonymously. (d) A protocol for reporting sexual assault adopted under Section 51.9363 must comply with this section. (e) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt rules as necessary to administer this section. SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2018, each public or private postsecondary educational institution shall provide the electronic reporting option required under Section 51.9365, Education Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.