TEXAS SENATE PASSES COLLEGE SEX ASSAULT BILL

  

The Texas Senate approved a bill on Tuesday that aims to prevent cover-ups of campus sexual assaults at public and private universities in the state.

Senate Bill 576 would require all college and university employees to report any accusations of sexual assault, harassment, and dating violence on campus.

The bill’s author, Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston), said the goal of the bill is to prevent “cover-ups” of sexual assaults, referencing the incidents at Baylor University.

"With studies showing 1 in 5 female college students experiencing some kind of assault during their time at college, it is imperative that victims and witnesses have a safe and reliable reporting structure," said Huffman.

Under the bill, violators would be fired and would face up to 180 days in jail. Employees that are found to have intentionally concealed sexual assault could spend up to a year in jail.

In addition, the bill would require leaders of student organizations to report rape accusations or face expulsion.

"We cannot afford for victims to withhold information because they feel that they might be ridiculed or ostracized for reporting an allegation of a criminal act” said Huffman. “The days when an outcry went unheard, unreported, or covered up are over in the State of Texas."

The bill was sent to the House in a 30-1 vote.