District of ColumbiaB26-0029Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Institution of Higher Education Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Resource Accessibility Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Christina Henderson (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Campus training for students and staff

Beginning June 30, 2026, schools give yearly, trauma‑informed training to staff who handle sexual misconduct cases, including Title IX and public safety staff. Training covers consent, trauma effects, fair interviewing, avoiding bias, evidence, and sensitive communication. Undergraduates complete prevention training before year two and again before year four; two‑year programs require one training before year two. Confidential advisors must meet experience rules, complete yearly training, and avoid conflicts; they cannot be Title IX coordinators or give therapy to someone they advise.

Free, confidential campus advisors and support

Beginning June 30, 2026, every DC college keeps at least two confidential resource advisors, and their help is free for students and employees. Advisors give written or electronic info on reporting, legal help, medical and forensic exams, counseling, housing, insurance, and student loan counseling. They can help you contact campus safety or police and can attend school hearings with you. Schools tell the campus how to reach advisors and may partner with advocacy groups to provide services. Advisors also keep regular contact with DC sexual assault and domestic violence coalitions.

Stronger privacy for talks with advisors

Beginning June 30, 2026, talks with a confidential resource advisor are private and usually cannot be disclosed. Limited exceptions apply for required campus safety reporting, certain violent or dangerous crimes, to prevent imminent serious harm, with your written consent, or when a law or court order requires it. If disclosure is required, the advisor gives you at least 7 days’ notice and waits for the court’s ruling if you file to protect it. Telling an advisor does not count as telling the school. Police and schools cannot punish advisors for lawful work, and the law adds this role into DC code.

Amnesty when students report assault

Beginning June 30, 2026, students who report sexual misconduct are not disciplined for voluntary drug or alcohol use, or for consensual sex near the incident. This protection does not apply if the report is not in good faith or the behavior put others at immediate risk. It does not apply when it conflicts with a school’s sincerely held religious beliefs.

Clear campus policies, hotlines, and aid

Beginning June 30, 2026, schools must keep clear sexual misconduct policies. Policies list emergency care and forensic exam sites, on‑ and off‑campus resource providers, hotlines, and how to reach confidential advisors. They explain Title IX roles and point to programs that can help pay emergency medical costs or travel. Schools send this info to students and staff or post it on their website.

Public campus safety reports every 3 years

Starting June 30, 2029, and every three years, schools post and submit a report covering the prior three calendar years. Reports include Title IX and confidential advisor data on reports, outcomes, supportive measures, trainings, people served, and referrals. Schools remove personal details and hide any count under 10. After the District’s first campus safety survey, schools also publish their survey results.

Fines for schools that break this law

Beginning June 30, 2026, after notice and a hearing, the Higher Education Licensure Commission can fine a school that materially violates this law. The fine is up to $59,000 per violation or 1% of the school’s annual operating budget, whichever is lower. Fine money goes to the Office of Victims Services and Justice Grants to support victim services.

UDC start date depends on funding

The law applies on June 30, 2026. For the University of the District of Columbia, it starts on the later of June 30, 2026, or when its costs are in an approved budget and certified by the CFO. The CFO certifies the date to the Budget Director, who publishes it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Christina Henderson
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 24 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2025

Final Reading, CC

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2025

First Reading, CC