Findings

Congress finds the following:(1)Campus sexual assault remains a pervasive issue on the campuses of institutions of higher education across the United States and negatively impacts student survivors’ academic outcomes.(2)Sexual assault is one of the biggest risk factors for developing post-traumatic stress disorder, which is associated with decreased neurocognitive functioning that makes learning and retaining information difficult.(3)Individuals impacted by trauma can often experience residual effects such as substance use disorders, suicidal ideation, personality disorders, depression, and anxiety, as well as other possible mental health challenges that can significantly impact academic performance or success and overall well-being. (4)Studies have shown that student survivors are more likely to have lower grade point averages, have difficulty with self-regulated learning, and are ultimately more likely to drop out of their institution of higher education.(5)Considering the relationship between sexual assault and negative academic outcomes, institutions of higher education should provide these students not only with mental health services, but also with targeted academic support to counter their increased risk for negative academic outcomes.(6)Patient-centered academic counseling and tutoring programs can be powerful tools to better support student survivors, improve their higher education retention rates, and ultimately support their educational success.

Grant program for patient-centered academic counseling services for student survivors of sexual assault and other violence

Part B of title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1011 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

124.

Grant program for patient-centered academic counseling services for student survivors of sexual assault and other violence

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Eligible institution

The term eligible institution means an institution of higher education as defined in section 101(a). (2)

Patient-centered

The term patient-centered, when used with respect to services provided to student survivors of sexual assault or other violence, means—(A)recognizing the widespread emotional, behavioral, developmental, and legal impact of trauma and understanding potential paths for recovery;(B)recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma in individuals, families, and staff;(C)integrating the knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices; and(D)actively resisting re-traumatizing by avoiding creating environments that inadvertently remind survivors of their traumatic experiences and cause them to experience psychological and biological stress. (3)

Sexual assault

The term sexual assault has the meaning given the term in section 485(f)(6)(A).(b)

Grants authorized

(1)

In general

From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to enable the eligible institutions to implement patient-centered academic counseling services and other services for student survivors of sexual assault and other violence.(2)

Duration

A grant awarded under this section shall be for a term of 5 years.(c)

Application

(1)

In general

An eligible institution desiring a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2)

Contents

Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—(A)a description of how the eligible institution will inform students enrolled in the institution of the patient-centered academic counseling services for student survivors of sexual assault and other violence;(B)a description of how the eligible institution will provide training for faculty and staff to support and connect student survivors of sexual assault and other violence with patient-centered care; and(C)a description of the protocols the eligible institution will follow for coordinating patient-centered academic counseling and tutoring programs for survivors.(d)

Award basis

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to—(1)institutions of higher education with a history of violations of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972;(2)community colleges (defined as junior or community colleges under section 502(a)(6));(3)historically Black colleges and universities (defined as part B institutions under section 322);(4)Tribal Colleges or Universities (as defined under section 316(b)); and(5)other minority-serving institutions (defined as institutions eligible under section 371(a)).(e)

Use of funds

An eligible institution receiving a grant under this section shall use grant funds to carry out 1 or more of the following: (1)Providing higher education re-entry assistance for student survivors of sexual assault and other violence who had to take leaves of absence or withdraw from the eligible institution.(2)Increasing training for faculty and administrators on patient-centered care, on recognizing signs of trauma, and on connecting survivors of sexual assault and other violence to appropriate support services.(3)Providing professional development focused on patient-centered practices for academic advisors and academic counselors.(4)Providing academic accommodation for students experiencing trauma, such as patient-centered training for tutors or the establishment of a confidential tutoring program specifically designed to assist student survivors of sexual assault and other violence.(5)Increasing mental health services for student survivors of sexual assault and other violence.(6)Creating or enhancing a fund for survivors of sexual assault and other violence to be used for wrap-around services.(f)

Reports

(1)

Eligible institution reports

(A)

In general

At the end of the grant period, each eligible institution receiving a grant under this section shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a report on the program carried out under the grant.(B)

Contents

The report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include—(i)(I)the kinds of accommodations the student survivors who reported sexual assault or instances of other violence during the period described in subparagraph (A) requested; and(II)the accommodations that such students were given; (ii)the graduation and re-enrollment rates of student survivors of sexual assault and other violence who were enrolled in the eligible institution during the grant period; and(iii)such other information as the Secretary may require.(2)

Secretary reports

(A)

In general

Not later than one year after the grant program has concluded, the Secretary shall submit a report to the authorizing committees regarding the grant program carried out under this section.(B)

Contents

The report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include the graduation and re-enrollment rates of student survivors of sexual assault and other violence who were enrolled in the eligible institutions during the grant period, in order to determine the effectiveness of the grant program. (g)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for 2024 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.