I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1490 
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of 
higher education to have an independent advocate for campus sexual 
assault prevention and response. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 19, 2015 
Mrs. DAVIS of California (for herself, Ms. MATSUI, Ms. CHU of California, Ms. 
NORTON, Ms. KAPTUR, Ms. ADAMS, Ms. BROWN of Florida, and Mr. 
HUFFMAN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Education and the Workforce 
A BILL 
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require 
institutions of higher education to have an independent 
advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and re-
sponse. 
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 ‘‘Survivor Outreach and 
Support Campus Act’’ or the ‘‘SOS Campus Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:40 Mar 25, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1490.IH
H1490
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. INDEPENDENT ADVOCATE FOR CAMPUS SEXUAL AS-
SAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Part G of title IV of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1088 et seq.) 
is amended by inserting after section 485E the following 
new section: 
‘‘SEC. 485F. INDEPENDENT ADVOCATE FOR CAMPUS SEX-
UAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE. 
‘‘(a) DESIGNATION.—Each eligible institution partici-
pating in any program under this title shall designate an 
independent advocate for campus sexual assault preven-
tion and response (in this section referred to as the ‘Advo-
cate’) who shall be appointed based on certifications, expe-
rience, and a demonstrated ability of the individual to ef-
fectively provide sexual assault victim services. 
‘‘(b) NOTIFICATION OF EXISTENCE OF AND INFOR-
MATION FOR THE ADVOCATE.—Each employee of an eligi-
ble institution who receives a report of sexual assault shall 
notify the victim of the existence of, contact information 
for, and services provided by the Advocate of the institu-
tion. 
‘‘(c) ADVOCATE OVERSIGHT.—Each Advocate shall— 
‘‘(1) report to an individual outside the body re-
sponsible for investigating and adjudicating sexual 
assault complaints at the institution; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:40 Mar 25, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1490.IH
H1490
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(i) on the website of such institution; 
‘‘(ii) in student orientation materials; 
and 
‘‘(iii) on posters displayed in dor-
mitories, cafeterias, sports arenas, locker 
rooms, entertainment facilities, and class-
rooms; and 
‘‘(B) training coaches, faculty, school ad-
ministrators, resident advisors, and other staff 
to provide information on the existence of, con-
tact information for, and services provided by 
the Advocate. 
‘‘(f) AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES.—The services de-
scribed in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (e) shall 
be provided— 
‘‘(1) pursuant to a memorandum of under-
standing (that includes transportation services), at a 
rape crisis center, legal organization, or other com-
munity-based organization located within a reason-
able distance from an institution; or 
‘‘(2) on the campus of an institution in con-
sultation with a rape crisis center, legal organiza-
tion, or other community-based organization. 
‘‘(g) PROHIBITION ON RETALIATION TOWARDS VIC-
TIMS.—A victim of sexual assault may not be disciplined, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:40 Mar 25, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1490.IH
H1490
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
penalized, or otherwise retaliated against for reporting 
such assault to the Advocate. 
‘‘(h) NO EFFECT ON CLERY ACT AND TITLE IX.— 
Nothing in this section shall alter or amend the rights, 
duties, and responsibilities under section 485(f) or title IX 
of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 
et seq.) (also known as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal 
Opportunity in Education Act). 
‘‘(i) SEXUAL ASSAULT DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘sexual assault’ means penetration, no matter 
how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or 
object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another per-
son, without the consent of the victim, including when the 
victim is incapable of giving consent.’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Education shall issue regulations to carry out section 
485F of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by 
subsection (a) of this section. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:40 Mar 25, 2015
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H1490.IH
H1490
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS