Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman HEATHER SIMMONS
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
Assemblywoman ELLEN J. PARK
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman CODY D. MILLER
District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Rowan
SYNOPSIS
Requires Campus Sexual Assault Commission to host certain educational events; requires Office of Secretary of Higher Education to build capacity for coordinated community response to campus sexual assault.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning campus sexual assault, amending P.L.2019, c.299 and supplementing Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 4 of P.L.2019, c.299 (C.18A:61E-10) is amended to read as follows:
4. It shall be the responsibility of the commission to further the work of the Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault established pursuant to P.L.2015, c.165. In particular, the commission shall:
a. study and evaluate emerging issues, policies, and practices concerning campus sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking on college campuses;
b. monitor the response to, and implementation of, the recommendations put forth in the report issued by the task force established pursuant to P.L.2015, c.165 and the Working Group on Safe and Inclusive Learning Environments established pursuant to Executive Order No. 61 of 2019;
c. supplement the findings and recommendations, as necessary, of the report issued by the task force established pursuant to P.L.2015, c.165;
d. monitor the progress of, and offer technical assistance to, institutions of higher education in implementing a campus climate survey. An institution of higher education shall conduct a campus climate survey at intervals no longer than four years and submit the de-identified survey data to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education shall share the findings with the commission; [and]
e. develop an action plan that includes policies, programs, or procedures responsive to the issues and needs identified by institutions of higher education from their campus climate survey; and
f. host a variety of in-person and virtual educational opportunities, including an annual Statewide conference on campus sexual assault that convenes stakeholders to share the latest research, strategies, and practices in addressing sexual assault and relationship violence on campuses.
(cf: P.L.2020, c.104, s.3)
2. (New section) The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education shall assume a lead role in building capacity for a coordinated community response to campus sexual assault. The office shall identify and foster opportunities to strengthen cross-sector collaboration among institutions of higher education, State and local agencies, and community-based organizations that enhance the reach and effectiveness of campus safety initiatives. In conducting this work, the office shall:
a. review the data and findings available from the most recent campus climate survey administered by institutions of higher education pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2019, c.299 (C.18A:61E-10);
b. leverage State communication systems to aid in the development of partnerships that will enhance campus climate and improve resource sharing among institutions of higher education and other entities in their work to address campus sexual assault;
c. profile and promote relevant resources and programs available from institutions of higher education, State and local agencies, and community-based organizations;
d. identify best practices in improving campus climate, campus sexual assault prevention and response strategies, and meeting survivor needs; and
e. establish an online resource center on campus sexual assault prevention and responses that include, but are not limited to:
(1) best practices identified pursuant to subsection d. of this section;
(2) the Internet websites of each institution of higher education’s policies, resources, and programs relating to campus sexual assault;
(3) the Internet websites of the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault and other entities with relevant expertise; and
(4) a report prepared by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education summarizing the data and findings from the most recent campus climate surveys administered by institutions of higher education pursuant to subsection d. of section 4 of P.L.2019, c.299 (C.18A:61E-10).
3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill implements certain recommendations contained in the Campus Sexual Assault Commission April 2026 action plan report concerning measures to build capacity for a coordinated community response to campus sexual assault.
Under the bill, the mandate and responsibilities of the Campus Sexual Assault Commission would be expanded to require the commission to host a variety of in-person and virtual educational opportunities, including an annual Statewide conference on campus sexual assault that convenes stakeholders to share the latest research, strategies, and practices in addressing sexual assault and relationship violence on campuses.
Under the bill, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education would be required to assume a lead role in building capacity for a coordinated community response to campus sexual assault. The office would be required to identify and foster opportunities to strengthen cross-sector collaboration among institutions of higher education, State and local agencies, and community-based organizations that enhance the reach and effectiveness of campus safety initiatives. In conducting this work, the office would: (1) review the data and findings available from the most recent campus climate surveys administered by institutions of higher education; (2) leverage State communication systems to aid in the development of partnerships that will enhance campus climate and improve resource sharing among institutions of higher education and other entities; (3) profile and promote relevant resources and programs available from institutions of higher education, State and local agencies, and community-based organizations; (4) identify best practices in improving campus climate, campus sexual assault prevention and response strategies, and meeting survivor needs; and (5) establish an online resource center on campus sexual assault prevention and responses.