To provide for the consideration of a definition of antisemitism set forth by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for the enforcement of Federal antidiscrimination laws concerning education programs or activities, and for other purposes.
Analysis under review: This bill has generated analysis that may be too generic or incomplete. Clause-level evidence remains available below.
Summary
What This Bill Does
This bill requires the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating discrimination complaints against Jewish students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It standardizes how antisemitic incidents are identified and evaluated in federally-funded educational institutions.
Who Benefits and How
- Jewish students in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities gain clearer protections as the bill ensures a consistent definition is used to evaluate discrimination claims.
- The Department of Education receives clearer guidance on how to assess antisemitic intent in civil rights investigations.
- Civil rights enforcement efforts benefit from a uniform standard that eliminates confusion from multiple competing definitions.
Who Bears the Burden and How
- Educational institutions receiving federal funds face clearer enforcement standards and may need to adjust policies to ensure compliance with the IHRA definition.
- Free speech advocacy groups express concern that the IHRA definition, which includes certain criticisms of Israel as examples of antisemitism, could chill protected political speech on campuses.
Key Provisions
- Requires the Department of Education to consider the IHRA definition of antisemitism when investigating Title VI violations
- Affirms that discrimination against Jews based on actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics violates Title VI
- Explicitly states the bill does not expand the Secretary of Education's authority or alter existing harassment standards
- Includes First Amendment protections, stating nothing in the Act diminishes rights protected under free speech
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Requires the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating and enforcing Title VI civil rights violations related to discrimination against Jewish individuals in educational settings.
Key Policy Areas
Civil Rights, Education, Religion
Primary Purpose
Requires the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating and enforcing Title VI civil rights violations related to discrimination against Jewish individuals in educational settings.
Policy Domains
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedReceived
Mr. Lawler (for himself, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Miller of Ohio, …
Impact analysis is available but no clear stakeholder effects identified. View clause-level analysis →
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Education
- "the_department"
- → Department of Education
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
The definition adopted on May 26, 2016, by the IHRA, which has been adopted by the Department of State, including the contemporary examples of antisemitism identified in the IHRA definition
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