Release: Khanna, Frankel, Landsman, and Fitzpatrick, Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Sexual Assault on College Campuses, Strengthen Accountability and Transparency for Institutions

October 29, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) reintroduced the bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act after recent incidents of alleged sexual assault at Cornell University and Louisana State University . The legislation would improve the way colleges and universities report incidents of sexual assault that take place on their campuses, and it would protect both survivors and accused students by ensuring that schools have a uniform and fair process for investigating and conducting campus disciplinary proceedings. Additionally, it would create new resources and support services for survivors and set new notification requirements for both survivors and accused students involved in the campus disciplinary process. “After the horrific allegations at Cornell, LSU, and the countless stories we have heard from survivors on campuses across the country, Congress must act to protect survivors and ensure there is accountability. Due to stigma, many survivors don’t report sexual violence, much less pursue justice through their university’s system, and many perpetrators are never held accountable. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill with my colleagues to increase transparency, provide resources for survivors, and reduce barriers in the reporting process," said Rep. Khanna. “Students can’t learn if they are not safe. No student should have to fear sexual harassment, violence, or stalking while pursuing an education. The horrifying allegations recently brought to light at Cornell underscore the urgent need for action. Survivors of sexual abuse deserve confidential support and to be heard and treated with dignity. This legislation strengthens transparency and accountability and makes clear that keeping students safe is a fundamental responsibility of every college and university,” said Rep. Frankel. “Students have to be kept safe on college campuses. The reports of sexual violence at colleges and universities make it clear that changes are needed. Our bipartisan effort will ensure there’s way more transparency, accountability, and support for students,” said Rep. Landsman. “Sexual assault on college campuses continues to be a crisis that demands our immediate action. And, as with all crimes, weak enforcement and insufficient accountability only embolden perpetrators to act with impunity. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is a commitment to our students that we are taking action: action to ensure their safety and action to hold our educational institutions accountable by transforming how sexual assault and violence are handled and addressed. By demanding greater transparency, enforcing stringent accountability measures, and providing essential resources and support to victims, we can eliminate the toxic culture of inaction that has plagued our campuses for too long and create a safer environment for our students," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. Specifically, the Campus Accountability and Safety Act would: Increase transparency and reporting requirements under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act by mandating that the institution’s website include campus safety policies, an annual security report, instructions for filing a complaint, and statistics of sexual misconduct allegations on campus. Create sexual and interpersonal violence specialists at each institution to serve as confidential aides for victims. Ensure that sexual and interpersonal violence specialists are well-trained by requiring training created by the Department of Education. Ensure that individuals who report sexual misconduct in good faith are not punished for acts of self-defense, or alcohol or drug use, that is revealed by that report. Expand the VAWA Campus Grant Program to also address sexual harassment on campuses. Requires the comptroller general to study the effectiveness of VAWA grants and submit a report to Congress within 2 years of enactment. ### Issues : Equality and Social Justice , Prioritizing Public Safety