The bill requires institutions of higher education receiving federal financial assistance to implement and distribute comprehensive anti-harassment policies. These policies must prohibit harassment of students by other students, faculty, and staff based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), disability, or religion . The prohibition covers harassment occurring across various locations, including on campus, in dormitories, and during institution-sponsored activities. Significantly, it also explicitly addresses harassment conducted through electronic messaging services, commercial mobile services, electronic communications, or other technology . Institutions must detail their prevention programs, student reporting procedures, and institutional response protocols, including informing both the accuser and accused of disciplinary outcomes. The legislation also establishes the Anti-Harassment Competitive Grant Program , authorizing the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible institutions or consortia. These grants are intended to fund initiatives that prevent harassment, provide counseling and redress services to students, and educate the campus community on harassment recognition, prevention, and response. Grantees must evaluate the effectiveness of their programs and report findings to the Secretary. The Secretary is then required to report to Congress annually and publish evidence-based best practices for combating harassment. This program is authorized to receive $50,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, with its obligations being in addition to existing anti-discrimination laws.
Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-5486| House
| Updated: 9/18/2025
The bill requires institutions of higher education receiving federal financial assistance to implement and distribute comprehensive anti-harassment policies. These policies must prohibit harassment of students by other students, faculty, and staff based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), disability, or religion . The prohibition covers harassment occurring across various locations, including on campus, in dormitories, and during institution-sponsored activities. Significantly, it also explicitly addresses harassment conducted through electronic messaging services, commercial mobile services, electronic communications, or other technology . Institutions must detail their prevention programs, student reporting procedures, and institutional response protocols, including informing both the accuser and accused of disciplinary outcomes. The legislation also establishes the Anti-Harassment Competitive Grant Program , authorizing the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible institutions or consortia. These grants are intended to fund initiatives that prevent harassment, provide counseling and redress services to students, and educate the campus community on harassment recognition, prevention, and response. Grantees must evaluate the effectiveness of their programs and report findings to the Secretary. The Secretary is then required to report to Congress annually and publish evidence-based best practices for combating harassment. This program is authorized to receive $50,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, with its obligations being in addition to existing anti-discrimination laws.