S. 163: Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025
A Senate bill (S.) in the 119th U.S. Congress.
Overview
| Congress | 119th U.S. Congress (2025–2026) |
|---|---|
| Type | Senate bill (S.) |
| Originating chamber | Senate |
| Introduced | 2025-01-21 |
| Sponsor | Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] |
| Policy area | Education |
| Cosponsors | 6 |
| Latest action | 2025-04-30 — Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held. |
| Last updated | 2026-01-07 |
Summary
Official summary (Introduced in Senate, 2025-01-21):
Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025
This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) participating in federal student aid programs to distribute information on how to report alleged violations of civil rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs or activities.)
Specifically, the bill requires ED's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to conduct a public awareness campaign regarding the rights of individuals under Title VI. This campaign must be updated annually and distributed to IHEs.
The bill requires an IHE to post a link on its website on how to file a Title VI complaint with OCR. Additionally, the IHE must annually post the materials from OCR's public awareness campaign. The information must be posted in high-traffic public places on campus (e.g., student centers) and high-traffic websites (e.g., the website for student services).
OCR must give monthly congressional briefings on (1) the number of complaints filed with OCR, (2) how OCR plans to address those complaints and the investigations opened in response to those complaints, and (3) how long those complaints remain open. Additionally, the bill prohibits OCR from closing or dismissing a complaint due to resolution via another agency or avenue.
The bill also requires annual reporting by IHEs on discrimination complaints. Further, the bill directs ED's Office of Inspector General to audit and study discrimination complaints.
Cosponsors (6)
| Name | Party / state |
|---|---|
| John Fetterman | D PA (original cosponsor) 2025-01-21 |
| Susan M. Collins | R ME 2025-04-03 |
| Jacky Rosen | D NV 2025-04-29 |
| Kirsten E. Gillibrand | D NY 2025-04-29 |
| Catherine Cortez Masto | D NV 2025-09-17 |
| David McCormick | R PA 2025-12-15 |
Full text & official record
The official bill text, section-by-section summary, amendments, committee reports, and the complete legislative timeline for S. 163 are published by Congress on congress.gov.
Frequently asked questions
What is S. 163?
S. 163 is a Senate bill (S.) introduced in the 119th U.S. Congress, originating in the Senate. Official title: Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025.
Where can I read the full bill text?
The full text, cosponsors, amendments, and legislative status for S. 163 are available on congress.gov.
Bill data: congress.gov API (official congressional records).