Bill Summary
The "Combating Hate Across Campus Act" seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 by enhancing the requirements for institutions of higher education regarding the tracking and reporting of hate crimes. Specifically, it mandates that colleges and universities not only collect data on hate crimes categorized by the type of prejudice but also disaggregate this data into subcategories based on the specific identities of the individuals or groups targeted. This data collection must adhere to the guidelines set forth by the FBI's Hate Crime Data Collection Guidelines and Training Manual. The goal of the legislation is to improve transparency and accountability in addressing hate crimes on campuses, thereby fostering a safer educational environment.
Possible Impacts
The "Combating Hate Across Campus Act" could have several significant effects on individuals and communities within institutions of higher education. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Awareness and Reporting of Hate Crimes**: By requiring institutions to track and record hate crimes with more detailed disaggregation by specific identities or groups, the legislation may lead to increased awareness among students and staff regarding the prevalence of hate crimes on campus. Individuals who belong to targeted groups may feel more validated and supported as the data highlights the issues they face, encouraging a more inclusive campus environment.
2. **Enhanced Support Services and Resources**: With institutions mandated to collect and report detailed hate crime statistics, universities may be compelled to allocate more resources to support services for affected individuals and communities. This could include mental health services, counseling, educational programs, and community-building efforts aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion. Students may benefit from greater access to support structures that address the psychological and social impacts of hate crimes.
3. **Policy and Safety Improvements**: The requirement for detailed reporting may lead to institutions reassessing their campus safety policies and practices. As schools analyze the disaggregated data, they may identify specific trends or patterns in hate crimes related to particular groups. This insight can help administrators develop targeted interventions, such as improved training for staff, enhanced security measures, and community engagement initiatives aimed at preventing hate crimes and promoting a safe environment for all students.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5546 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5546
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of
higher education to track and record additional information on hate
crimes, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 23, 2025
Mr. Espaillat introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of
higher education to track and record additional information on hate
crimes, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Combating Hate Across Campus Act''.
SEC. 2. DISCLOSURE OF CAMPUS SECURITY POLICY AND CAMPUS CRIME
STATISTICS.
Section 485(f)(1)(F)(ii) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1092(f)(1)(F)(ii)) is amended by striking ``which data shall be
collected and reported according to category of prejudice;'' and
inserting ``which data shall--
``(I) be collected and reported according
to category of prejudice; and
``(II) disaggregated by subcategory based
on the identity of the targeted individual or
group, as listed in the most recently available
Hate Crime Data Collection Guidelines and
Training Manual published by the Criminal
Justice Information Services Division of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation;''.
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