Bill
Bill > S4205
NJ S4205
NJ S4205Requires reporting and investigation of alleged incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence at institutions of higher education and requires institutions to provide employee training on such reports.
summary
Introduced
03/03/2025
03/03/2025
In Committee
03/03/2025
03/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires an institution of higher education that receives State operating aid to provide annual training to employees designated by the institution as "responsible employees." Under the bill, the training will address how to respond to and report an allegation of sexual harassment or sexual violence made by a student enrolled in the institution. Under the bill, responsible employees include: designated faculty and other instructional staff of the institution; all employees of the campus police and campus security units; all administrators of the institution; all employees of the office of the general counsel of the institution; designated health personnel; all resident advisors; and any other institution personnel designated as being likely to witness or receive a report of an act of sexual harassment or sexual violence made by a student enrolled in the institution. Under the bill, the required training will provide responsible employees with information on:· the duty of the responsible employees to promptly disclose the limits of their confidentiality to a victim who initiates a report of an act of sexual harassment or sexual violence; · how to respond appropriately to a report of an act of sexual harassment or sexual violence; and· the duty to report an act of sexual harassment or sexual violence to the appropriate institution authorities. The bill requires a responsible employee to report an alleged act of sexual harassment or sexual violence to the appropriate institution authorities. Under the bill, a responsible employee is required to report an alleged act that occurred on campus, off campus, or via electronic communication. The bill further requires that, in the event that an institution of higher education that receives State operating aid receives a report of an act of sexual harassment or sexual violence made by a student, the institution must investigate to determine what occurred and take appropriate steps to resolve the situation.
AI Summary
This bill requires institutions of higher education receiving state operating aid to provide annual training to "responsible employees" on how to handle and report sexual harassment and sexual violence allegations made by students. Responsible employees include faculty, campus police, administrators, legal counsel staff, health personnel, resident advisors, and other personnel likely to receive such reports. The training must cover the employee's duty to disclose confidentiality limits, how to appropriately respond to reports, and the obligation to report incidents to institutional authorities. The bill mandates reporting of sexual harassment or sexual violence incidents that occur on campus, at off-campus institutional activities, or via electronic communication. The bill defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual conduct and sexual violence as physical sexual acts committed without consent, including cases where the victim cannot consent due to age, intoxication, or disability. Institutions are required to investigate and take appropriate steps to resolve any reported incidents, while ensuring that the bill does not restrict students' existing rights under the Campus Sexual Assault Victim's Bill of Rights. The act will take effect immediately and apply to the first full academic year following its enactment.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 03/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4205 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4500/4205_I1.HTM |
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