HR5545-119

What This Bill Does

Katie Meyer's Law creates a federal funding condition for campus conduct proceedings. To remain eligible for funds under an applicable higher-education program, an institution must adopt a policy giving a student who receives notice of an alleged code-of-conduct violation the option to be assisted by an adviser. The notice must tell the student that they may select an outside adviser or request an independent adviser from the institution. Institutions may provide an independent adviser through a confidential respondent services coordinator, a student-based peer support program, or an alumni-based support program. Advisers must be trained on the institution's adjudication procedures, may receive biweekly updates during the process with the student's written permission, and may participate in adjudication meetings as an adviser. The bill also requires confidentiality for adviser communications and preserves the student's right to be assisted by another person where existing law or institutional policy already provides that right.

Who Benefits and How

Students in campus conduct proceedings benefit because they can choose outside or independent adviser support after receiving an allegation notice. Student peer support programs benefit because colleges may use them to provide independent advisers. Alumni support programs benefit because institutions may contract with them for respondent-adviser services. Confidential respondent services coordinators benefit from a defined role in helping accused students navigate adjudication.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Institutions of higher education must adopt adviser policies to keep federal higher-education funding eligibility. Campus conduct offices must revise allegation notices, train advisers, share updates with permission, and accommodate adviser participation. Independent advisers must complete institution-specific adjudication training and preserve confidentiality. Education Department program staff must monitor funding-condition compliance.

Key Provisions

• Requires federally funded colleges to adopt student-adviser policies for code-of-conduct proceedings.
• Provides students the option to choose an outside adviser or request an independent institutional adviser.
• Allows institutions to use respondent services coordinators, student peer support, or alumni support programs.
• Requires adviser training, biweekly updates with written permission, adjudication participation, and confidentiality.