U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) on Feb. 28 introduced a bipartisan bill to bolster better reporting of on-campus sexual violence at America’s universities and colleges.
“As a father and former law enforcement officer, safety on college campuses remains a top priority of mine,” Rep. Stauber said on March 2.
The congressman is the lead original cosponsor of the Clery Compliance Officer Designation Act of 2020, H.R. 6031, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH), which would require eligible institutions under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to designate a Clery Compliance Officer to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics (Clery) Act, according to the congressional record summary.
If enacted, H.R. 6031 would update the Clery Act by requiring institutions of higher education to designate a specific person or group of people to compile and report Clery Act crimes in an accurate and timely manner, according to Rep. Stauber’s office.
“For decades, the Clery Act has played a critical role in protecting students from sexual violence by requiring colleges and universities across the country to disclose campus crime statistics,” said Rep. Stauber, who noted that H.R. 6031 “builds on this vital effort by ensuring that this information is released in a timely manner, so students and their families can make more informed decisions about where to enroll in school.”
Dolores Stafford, executive director of the National Association of Clery Compliance Officers and Professionals, applauded the introduction of the bill, calling it “important legislation.”
The measure has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee.