I 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6464 
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase transparency and 
reporting on campus sexual violence, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 23, 2018 
Ms. SPEIER (for herself, Mr. POE of Texas, Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire, 
and Mr. FITZPATRICK) introduced the following bill; which was referred 
to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to 
the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently deter-
mined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase 
transparency and reporting on campus sexual violence, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Hold Accountable and 
Lend Transparency on Campus Sexual Violence Act’’ or 
the ‘‘HALT Campus Sexual Violence Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. DISCLOSURE OF ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS. 
(a) DISCLOSURE OF PROGRAM REVIEWS AND OPEN 
INVESTIGATIONS.—The Department of Education Organi-
zation Act is amended— 
(1) in section 203(b) (20 U.S.C. 3413(b)), by 
adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(3) The Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights shall 
make publicly available on the Department’s website a list 
of institutions under investigation, the sanctions (if any) 
or findings issued pursuant to such investigations, and a 
copy of program reviews and resolution agreements, in-
cluding voluntary resolution agreements, entered into with 
the Secretary or Attorney General under title IX of the 
Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) 
or title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 
2000c et seq.). 
‘‘(4) Not later than 30 days after the termination of 
the resolution agreements described in paragraph (3), the 
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights shall transmit to the 
Secretary, the President, and the Congress, and make 
publicly available on the Department’s website, the letter 
terminating the Department of Education’s monitoring of 
such agreements.’’; and 
(2) in section 205 (20 U.S.C. 3415), by adding 
at the end the following new subsection: 
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‘‘(c) The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Edu-
cation shall make publicly available on the Department’s 
website a list of institutions under investigation, the sanc-
tions (if any) or findings issued pursuant to such inves-
tigations, and a copy of program reviews and resolution 
agreements entered into with the Secretary or Attorney 
General under subsection 485(f) of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)).’’. 
(b) INSPECTOR GENERAL.—Not later than January 
1, 2019, the Inspector General of the Department of Edu-
cation shall submit to Congress and make publicly avail-
able a report reviewing compliance with paragraphs (3) 
and (4) of section 203(b) of the Department of Education 
Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3413(b)) and section 205(c) 
of such Act (20 U.S.C. 3415), as added by subsection (a). 
SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO LEVY FINES. 
Section 203(c) of the Department of Education Orga-
nization Act (20 U.S.C. 3413) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph 
(3); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (4) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
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‘‘(5) to impose a civil penalty to be paid by an 
institution of higher education that has violated a 
law under the jurisdiction of the Office for Civil 
Rights, the amount of which shall be determined by 
the gravity of the violation, and the imposition of 
which shall not preclude other remedies available 
under Federal law.’’. 
SEC. 4. CLIMATE SURVEYS. 
Paragraph (1) of section 485(f) of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(K) Beginning October 1, 2020, statistics 
based upon a sexual violence climate survey con-
ducted not later than April 1, 2019, and every 2 
years thereafter— 
‘‘(i) which is developed and approved by 
the Secretary, in consultation with the Director 
of the Centers for Disease Control of the De-
partment of Health and Human Services and 
the Attorney General, except that the National 
Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey 
developed by the National Center for Injury 
Prevention and Control of the Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Prevention may be used for 
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purposes of this subparagraph until the sexual 
violence climate survey has been developed; 
‘‘(ii) which assesses the occurrence on cam-
pus or in a noncampus building or property 
during the preceding calendar year for which 
data is available of— 
‘‘(I) instances of domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, sexual vio-
lence, sexual harassment, and stalking; 
‘‘(II) whether the instances described 
in subclause (I) were experienced in-person 
or through electronic means; 
‘‘(III) indicators of discrimination, 
and positive and negative trends for inti-
mate relationships that incorporates infor-
mation about gender identity and sexual 
orientation; 
‘‘(IV) the effectiveness of campus sex-
ual violence awareness and prevention pro-
grams and policies for the overall student 
body and different student populations, 
such as students of color, students in the 
LGBTQ communities, and students with 
disabilities; 
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‘‘(V) the effectiveness of current proc-
esses for complaints on and investigations 
into sex-based, race-based, national origin- 
based, sexual orientation-based, gender 
identity-based, and disability-based harass-
ment, assault, discrimination, domestic vio-
lence, dating violence, and stalking; 
‘‘(VI) student’s awareness of campus 
policies and procedures, including the loca-
tion and process for accessing campus re-
sources such as the title IX coordinator 
designated by the institution pursuant to 
title IX of the Education Amendments of 
1972; 
‘‘(VII) whether individuals impacted 
by sexual violence, discrimination, domestic 
violence, dating violence, and stalking have 
experienced negative effects on their edu-
cation, 
including 
diminished 
grades, 
dropped classes, leaves of absence; 
‘‘(VIII) whether individuals impacted 
by sexual violence, discrimination, domestic 
violence, dating violence, and stalking have 
experienced 
negative 
financial 
con-
sequences, including costs associated with 
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counseling, medical services, or housing 
changes; and 
‘‘(IX) any other issues relating to sex- 
based, race-based, national origin-based, 
sexual orientation-based, gender identity- 
based, and disability-based discrimination, 
harassment, assault, domestic violence, 
dating violence, and stalking, as appro-
priate; and 
‘‘(iii) which shall be made publicly avail-
able and easily accessible on the institution’s 
website, including on webpages directed at pro-
spective and current students.’’. 
SEC. 5. CREATION OF A PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION. 
Section 485(f)(14) of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(14)) is amended to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(14)(A) Subject to subparagraph (C), an aggrieved 
individual may allege a violation of this subsection in a 
judicial proceeding. A court may award an aggrieved indi-
vidual all appropriate relief, including equitable relief, 
compensatory damages, cost of the action, and remedial 
action. 
‘‘(B) This paragraph shall not be construed to pre-
clude an aggrieved individual from obtaining other rem-
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edies under any other provision of law or to require such 
individual to exhaust any administrative complaint process 
or notice-of-claim requirement before seeking redress 
under this paragraph. 
‘‘(C) For actions brought pursuant to this paragraph, 
the statute of limitations period shall be determined in ac-
cordance with section 1658(a) of title 28, United States 
Code. The tolling of any such limitations period shall be 
determined in accordance with section 1979 of the Revised 
Statutes of the United States (42 U.S.C. 1983) in the 
forum State.’’. 
SEC. 6. INCREASE OF CLERY ACT PENALTIES. 
Section 485(f)(13) of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(13)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘in the same amount and’’; and 
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the 
following: ‘‘, expect that such section shall be applied 
by substituting ‘$100,000’ for ‘$25,000’ ’’. 
SEC. 7. NOTIFICATION OF POLICIES AIMED AT PREVEN-
TION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (8) of section 485(f) 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
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‘‘(D) The statement of policy described in subpara-
graph (A) shall be— 
‘‘(i) written using simple and understandable 
language and clear formatting; and 
‘‘(ii) made widely available and posted on the 
institution’s public website, and in conspicuous 
places, including places in and around student hous-
ing, residence halls, student health centers, student 
recreation centers, the main student center on cam-
pus, academic buildings, and athletic facilities, where 
students congregate and are likely to see it. 
‘‘(E) The statement of policy described in subpara-
graph (A) shall be provided, on an annual basis, to each 
student group, student team, or student organization 
which is part of such institution, is recognized by the insti-
tution, or permitted by the institution to use its name or 
facilities or is known by the institution to act as an unaf-
filiated student group, student team, or student organiza-
tion, and each institution of higher education described in 
subparagraph (A) shall ensure that each such group, 
team, or organization distributes a copy of such policy to 
each of its members as well as each of its applicants for 
membership, including plebes, pledges, or similar appli-
cants. 
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‘‘(F) An institution’s compliance with subparagraph 
(E) with respect to an unaffiliated student group, student 
team, or student organization shall not constitute evidence 
of the institution’s recognition or endorsement of such un-
affiliated group, team, or organization.’’. 
(b) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW.—Not later 
than August 1, 2020, the Comptroller General shall report 
to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate on— 
(1) the implementation of section 485(f)(8) of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1092(f)(8)), as amended by subsection (a), includ-
ing— 
(A) the extent to which institutions of 
higher education have developed the statement 
of policy required under subparagraph (A) of 
such section; 
(B) how institutions of higher education 
are— 
(i) distributing such statement of pol-
icy; and 
(ii) determining whether the policy is 
received and understood by students; and 
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(C) the Secretary of Education’s oversight 
of the compliance of institutions of higher edu-
cation with respect to the statement of policy 
requirements under such section, including ef-
forts, in consultation with the Attorney General, 
to provide technical assistance to institutions of 
higher education in complying with such re-
quirements; and 
(2) any changes in the numbers of dating vio-
lence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking 
incidents reported to campus security authorities or 
local police agencies as indicated by the annual secu-
rity reports distributed under of section 485(f)(1) of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1092(f)(1)) or the climate survey established in Sec-
tion 4 of this Act. 
SEC. 8. CAMPUS SEXUAL VIOLENCE TASK FORCE. 
(a) CAMPUS SEXUAL VIOLENCE TASK FORCE.—Not 
later than September 1, 2020, the Secretary of Education, 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the At-
torney General shall establish a joint interagency task 
force to be known as the ‘‘Campus Sexual Violence Task 
Force’’ that shall— 
(1) provide pertinent information to the Sec-
retary of Education, Attorney General, Congress, 
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and the public with respect to campus sexual vio-
lence prevention, investigations, and responses, in-
cluding the creation of a consistent, public complaint 
processes for violations of title IX of the Education 
Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) and 
section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1092(f)); 
(2) provide recommendations to institutions of 
higher education for establishing sexual assault pre-
vention and response teams; 
(3) develop recommendations for institutions of 
higher education on providing survivor resources, in-
cluding healthcare, rape kits, sexual assault nurse 
examiners, culturally responsive and inclusive stand-
ards of care, and access to confidential advocacy and 
support services; 
(4) develop recommendations for best practices 
for responses and prevention with respect to sexual 
violence for educational institutions, taking into con-
sideration an institution’s size and resources; 
(5) develop recommendations on intersectional 
approaches to supporting survivors and the response 
to and prevention of sexual violence that consider 
the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender identity, 
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sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, ex-
posure to trauma, and other compounding factors; 
(6) solicit input from a diverse group of sur-
vivors, advocates from national, State, and local 
anti-sexual violence advocacy organizations, institu-
tions of higher education, and other public stake-
holders; 
(7) assess the Department of Education’s abil-
ity under section 902 of the Education Amendments 
of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1682) to levy intermediate fines 
for noncompliance with title IX of the Education 
Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) and 
the advisability of additional remedies for such non-
compliance, in addition to the remedies already 
available under Federal law; and 
(8) create a plan described in subsection (c). 
(b) PERSONNEL DETAILS.— 
(1) AUTHORITY TO DETAIL.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, the head of an element 
of any Federal agency is that is funded under the 
Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 
13925 et seq.) may detail an officer or employee of 
such element to the Campus Sexual Violence Task 
Force or to the Secretary of Education to assist the 
Task Force with the duties described in subsection 
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(a), as jointly agreed to by the head of such element 
and the Task Force. 
(2) BASIS
FOR
DETAIL.—A personnel detail 
made under paragraph (1) may be made— 
(A) for a period of not more than 3 years; 
and 
(B) on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable 
basis. 
(c) ADDITIONAL PLAN.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date on which the Campus Sexual Violence Task Force 
is established under subsection (a), the Task Force shall 
submit to Congress a plan for recruiting, retaining, and 
training a highly-qualified workforce employed by the De-
partment of Education to carry out investigation of com-
plaints alleging a violation of title IX of the Education 
Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) or section 
485(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1092(f)), and enforcement of such title IX (20 U.S.C. 
1681 et seq.) or such section 485(f) (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)), 
with respect to campus sexual violence. Such plan shall 
include— 
(1) an assessment of the capabilities of the cur-
rent workforce carrying out such investigation and 
enforcement; 
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