Relates to the accurate reporting of crimes on college and university campuses

BILL NUMBER:S1316

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to accurate reporting of crimes on college and university campuses

Purpose or general idea of bill

To provide guidance to colleges and universities regarding the Campus Safety Act of 2014.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1. Amends Paragraph a of subdivision 17 of section 355 of the education law to add that each institution shall inform each victim of a sexual assault of their option to notify proper law enforcement authorities, shall give the victim the option whether or not to report the offense to local law enforcement agencies, and shall offer the option to be assisted by campus authorities in notifying local law enforcement agencies if the victim chooses to do so in compliance with applicable federal law, including the federal Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights under Title 20 U.S. Code Section 1092(f).

Section 2. Amends paragraph a of subdivision 15 of section 2606 of the education law to add that each institution shall inform each victim of a sexual assault of their option to notify proper law enforcement authorities, shall give the victim the option whether or not to report the offense to local law enforcement agencies, and shall offer the option to be assisted by campus authorities in notifying local law enforcement agencies if the victim chooses to do so in compliance with applicable federal law, including the federal Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights under Title 20 U.S. Code Section 1092(f).

Section 3. Amends paragraph a of subdivision 8-a of section 6306 of the education law to add that each institution shall inform each victim of a sexual assault of their option to notify proper law enforcement authorities, shall give the victim the option whether or not to report the offense to local law enforcement agencies, and shall offer the option to be assisted by campus authorities in notifying local law enforcement agencies if the victim chooses to do so in compliance with applicable federal law, including the federal Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights under Title 20 U.S. Code Section 1092(f).

Section 4. Amends subdivision 1 of section 6434 of the education law to add that each institution shall inform each victim of a sexual assault of their option to notify proper law enforcement authorities, shall give the victim the option whether or not to report the offense to local law enforcement agencies, and shall offer the option to be assisted by campus authorities in notifying local law enforcement agencies if the victim chooses to do so in compliance with applicable federal law, including the federal Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights under Title 20 U.S. Code Section 1092(f).

Section 5. Contains the effective date.

Justification

This bill sets forth greater specificity in regards to a victim of a campus sexual assault having the option whether or not to report the offense to local law enforcement agencies. It will also clarify that the victim has the option to be assisted by campus authorities in notifying local law enforcement agencies if the victim chooses to do so. This will provide guidance to colleges and universities regarding the Campus Safety Act of 2014.

Prior legislative history

None.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as Chapter 486 of the laws of 2014, amending the education law relating to accurate reporting of crimes on college and university campuses.