Dingell, Hayes Introduce Bill to Hold Schools Accountable for Mishandling Reports of Sexual Assault

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05) introduced the Title IX Take Responsibility Act, legislation that would hold schools accountable for mishandling reports of sexual assault and provide survivors a stronger path towards justice. The legislation amends Title IX, a U.S. federal civil rights law passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972 that bans sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal money. The bill would reform how schools handle sexual assault and harassment by replacing outdated legal loopholes with clear accountability. "For far too long, outdated legal loopholes have allowed educational institutions to turn a blind eye to reports of sexual assault, leaving survivors without justice or support," said Congresswoman Dingell. "Title IX was enacted to protect students, not to shield institutions from accountability when they fail to keep campuses safe. This bill closes these gaps and ensures that every student has access to a safe learning environment free from abuse." "One incident of sexual violence is one too many," said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. "I am committed to protecting students, supporting survivors, and ensuring college campuses are safe learning environments for all. The Title IX Take Responsibility Act will put the responsibility on educational institutions for any mishandling of sexual assault reporting and failure to prevent further assaults. This legislation should be considered immediately, and I thank Congresswoman Dingell for partnering on this effort." Under current Supreme Court precedents, schools can only be held liable if high-level officials had "actual notice" and reacted with "deliberate indifference," creating an incentive for institutions to turn a blind eye. This bill eliminates that defense by holding schools legally responsible if they knew or reasonably should have known about the abuse and failed to take effective action. It also expands access to justice by allowing survivors to hold schools accountable in federal court for monetary damages and legal fees. The legislation is endorsed by Volare, Ujima, End Rape on Campus, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV), Just Solutions, YWCA, and the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA). “Survivors should not have to sacrifice their education because an institution failed to respond meaningfully to sexual harassment or violence. The Title IX Take Responsibility Act strengthens survivors’ ability to enforce their rights and recognizes that students should be able to access meaningful support without being required to pursue an investigation. Survivors deserve options that protect their safety, well-being, and ability to continue their education,” said Volare CEO Bridgette Stumpf. “YWCA USA is unwavering in our pursuit of a world where all women and girls can thrive. To meet that mission, it is essential that every student can learn in an environment free from sexual violence. Sadly, we know that violence does occur. The deeply disturbing reports from Cornell University underscore that passing the Title IX Take Responsibility Act is an essential and overdue step that would hold our educational institutions more responsible for protecting students from the start and accessing swift, meaningful pathways to justice and healing,” said Kate Kasper, VP of Public Policy and Advocacy, YWCA USA. "Schools must take sexual misconduct more seriously. We're abandoning survivors and ignoring the enormous impact of sexual violence on their educational attainment, health, and quality of life. This is unacceptable. The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence applauds Representatives Dingell and Hayes for re-introducing the Title IX Take Responsibility Act. We must have more accountability," said Monika Johnson-Hostler, President & CEO, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. “I’m grateful to Reps. Dingell and Hayes for reintroducing the Title IX Take Responsibility Act. At moment when the Dept of Education is rolling back protections under Title IX and leaving survivors of sexual violence vulnerable, this bill would strengthen protections and where appropriate, hold institutions accountable,” said Lisalyn Jacobs, CEO of Just Solutions. “Survivors should never have to choose between their safety and their education. The Title IX Take Responsibility Act affirms survivors’ rights to support, to make their own choices about reporting, and to seek justice when their access to education is harmed. It also gives schools clear standards that reflect what effective, survivor-centered response looks like. NOVA strongly supports this bill,” said Claire Ponder Selib, Executive Director, National Organization for Victim Advocacy. Bill text can be found HERE .