Bill > S1225

This bill aims to protect the rights of students to freely associate with and participate in single-sex social organizations (like fraternities and sororities) at institutions of higher education. The bill prohibits colleges and universities from taking adverse actions against students solely because they are members of single-sex organizations, such as expulsion, suspension, denial of financial aid, housing restrictions, or withholding recommendations. Specifically, the legislation prevents educational institutions that receive federal funding from coercing students to waive their association rights or imposing recruitment restrictions on single-sex organizations that are not applied to other student groups. While the bill does not require colleges to officially recognize such organizations, it prevents institutions from penalizing students simply for membership, though institutions can still take action for legitimate misconduct or if an organization poses a clear harm to students. The bill defines "adverse actions" broadly, including disciplinary measures, denial of opportunities, and restrictions on campus activities. Importantly, the legislation protects both students' right to join these organizations and the organizations' ability to regulate their own membership, while maintaining institutions' academic freedom to express opinions about such groups.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1225/all-info