Bill > S826

This bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand protections against discrimination, with a specific focus on antisemitism in educational settings. The bill adds "religion" as a protected category under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and defines antisemitism as a perception of Jews that can include hatred directed towards Jewish individuals, property, community institutions, or religious facilities. It introduces a new standard for harassment in educational programs, defining discrimination to include "deliberate indifference" to severe and pervasive harassment that effectively denies a victim equal access to educational opportunities. For higher education institutions receiving federal funding, the bill establishes a graduated system of sanctions for repeated antisemitic discrimination, including financial penalties ranging from 10% to 33% of federal assistance for second and third violations within a five-year period. The bill requires institutions found in violation to notify students, faculty, and staff and mandates federal monitoring of such cases. Importantly, the bill includes a rule of construction explicitly stating that it does not infringe on First Amendment rights, expand the Secretary of Education's authority, or diminish existing legal protections. The legislation aims to provide more robust enforcement mechanisms against antisemitic discrimination in educational institutions while maintaining constitutional safeguards.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/826/all-info