Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2015

To prevent harassment at institutions of higher education, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2015 2. Institutional and financial assistance information for students Section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1092(f) (1) by striking the subsection heading and inserting Disclosure of campus security and harassment policy and campus crime statistics. (2) in paragraph (6)(A)— (A) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (vi) and (vii), respectively; and (B) by inserting after clause (i) the following: (ii) The term commercial mobile service 47 U.S.C. 332(d) (iii) The term electronic communication (iv) The term electronic messaging services 47 U.S.C. 1001 (v) The term harassment (I) is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive so as to limit a student's ability to participate in or benefit from a program or activity at an institution of higher education, or to create a hostile or abusive educational environment at an institution of higher education; and (II) is based on a student's actual or perceived— (aa) race; (bb) color; (cc) national origin; (dd) sex; (ee) disability; (ff) sexual orientation; (gg) gender identity; or (hh) religion. ; (3) by redesignating paragraphs (9) through (18) as paragraphs (10) through (19), respectively; and (4) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following: (9) (A) Each institution of higher education participating in any program under this title, other than a foreign institution of higher education, shall develop and distribute as part of the report described in paragraph (1) a statement of policy regarding harassment, which shall include— (i) a prohibition of harassment of enrolled students by other students, faculty, and staff— (I) on campus; (II) in noncampus buildings or on noncampus property; (III) on public property; (IV) through the use of electronic mail addresses issued by the institution of higher education; (V) through the use of computers and communication networks, including any telecommunications service, owned, operated, or contracted for use by the institution of higher education or its agents; or (VI) during an activity sponsored by the institution of higher education or carried out with the use of resources provided by the institution of higher education; (ii) a description of the institution's programs to combat harassment, which shall be aimed at the prevention of harassment; (iii) a description of the procedures that a student should follow if an incident of harassment occurs; and (iv) a description of the procedures that the institution will follow once an incident of harassment has been reported. (B) The statement of policy described in subparagraph (A) shall address the following areas: (i) Procedures for timely institutional action in cases of alleged harassment, which procedures shall include a clear statement that the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary proceedings in response to an allegation of harassment. (ii) Possible sanctions to be imposed following the final determination of an institutional disciplinary procedure regarding harassment. (iii) Notification of existing counseling, mental health, or student services for victims or perpetrators of harassment, both on campus and in the community. (iv) Identification of a designated employee or office at the institution that will be responsible for receiving and tracking each report of harassment by a student, faculty, or staff member. . 3. Anti-harassment Competitive Grant program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible Entity The term eligible entity (A) an institution of higher education, including an institution of higher education in a collaborative partnership with a nonprofit organization; or (B) a consortium of institutions of higher education located in the same State. (2) Harassment The term harassment 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A) (3) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Program Authorized The Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable eligible entities to carry out the authorized activities described in subsection (d). (c) Amount of Grant Awards The Secretary shall ensure that each grant awarded under this section is of sufficient amount to enable the grantee to meet the purpose of this section. (d) Authorized Activities An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the funds made available through the grant to address one or more of the types of harassment listed in section 485(f)(6)(A)(v)(II) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v)(II) (1) to prevent the harassment of students at institutions of higher education; (2) at institutions of higher education that provide counseling or redress services to students who have suffered such harassment or students who have been accused of subjecting other students to such harassment; or (3) that educate or train students, faculty, or staff of institutions of higher education about ways to prevent harassment or ways to address such harassment if it occurs. (e) Application To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information, as the Secretary may require. (f) Duration; Renewal A grant under this section shall be awarded for a period of not more than 3 years. The Secretary may renew a grant under this section for one additional period of not more than 2 years. (g) Award Considerations In awarding a grant under this section, the Secretary shall select eligible entities that demonstrate the greatest need for a grant and the greatest potential benefit from receipt of a grant. (h) Report and Evaluation (1) Evaluation and Report to the Secretary Not later than 6 months after the end of the eligible entity's grant period, the eligible entity shall— (A) evaluate the effectiveness of the activities carried out with the use of funds awarded pursuant to this section in decreasing harassment and improving tolerance; and (B) prepare and submit to the Secretary a report on the results of the evaluation conducted by the entity. (2) Evaluation and Report to Congress Not later than 12 months after the date of receipt of the first report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall provide to Congress a report that includes the following: (A) The number and types of eligible entities receiving assistance under this section. (B) The anti-harassment programs being implemented with assistance under this section and the costs of such programs. (C) Any other information determined by the Secretary to be useful in evaluating the overall effectiveness of the program established under this section in decreasing incidents of harassment at institutions of higher education. (3) Best Practices Report The Secretary shall use the information provided under paragraph (1) to publish a report of best practices for combating harassment at institutions of higher education. The report shall be made available to all institutions of higher education and other interested parties. (i) Authorization of Appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021. 4. Effect on other laws Nothing in this Act shall be construed to invalidate or limit rights, remedies, procedures, or legal standards available to victims of discrimination under any other Federal law or law of a State or political subdivision of a State, including title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq. 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. 29 U.S.C. 794 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq. 42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq. 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. 29 U.S.C. 794 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.

Summary: Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2015 Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each institution of higher education (IHE) participating in a title IV program (except a foreign school) to include in its annual security report a statement of policy regarding harassment that includes: (1) a prohibition of harassment of students by other students, faculty, and staff; (2) a description of its programs to prevent harassment; (3) a description of the procedures that students should follow if harassment occurs; and (4) a description of the procedures it will follow once an incident of harassment has been reported. Defines "harassment" to include certain conduct undertaken through technological means that limits a student's ability to benefit from the IHE's programs, or creates a hostile or abusive educational environment at the school. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to IHEs to initiate, expand, or improve programs to: (1) prevent the harassment of students; (2) provide counseling or redress services to students who have been harassed or accused of subjecting other students to harassment; and (3) train students, faculty, or staff to prevent harassment or address harassment if it occurs. Directs the Secretary to publish a report of best practices for combating harassment at IHEs.