Katie Meyer’s Law
Summary
H.R. 5545, also known as Katie Meyer's Law, aims to require institutions of higher education to adopt policies regarding the provision of advisors for students facing code of conduct violations. The bill mandates that institutions receiving federal funds must offer students the option to have an advisor during adjudication processes. This includes the option of selecting an outside advisor or requesting an independent advisor provided by the institution.
Expected Effects
If enacted, Katie Meyer's Law would ensure that students facing allegations of misconduct at institutions of higher education have access to advisory support. This could lead to fairer adjudication processes and better outcomes for students. It also expands reporting requirements for campus security, including incidents of suicide.
Potential Benefits
- Provides students facing code of conduct violations with access to advisors.
- Ensures students are informed of their right to an advisor, either external or institution-provided.
- Requires training for advisors on institutional adjudication procedures.
- Allows advisors to advocate for students during the adjudication process.
- Expands campus security reporting to include suicide incidents.
Potential Disadvantages
- May create additional administrative burden for institutions of higher education.
- Could lead to increased costs for institutions, particularly in providing independent advisors.
- Potential for inconsistent application of the policy across different institutions.
- The effectiveness of the advisory support may vary depending on the quality of training and resources provided.
- Possible challenges in ensuring the independence and impartiality of institution-provided advisors.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's requirement for institutions of higher education to adopt specific policies could be seen as an exercise of Congress's power under the Spending Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) to provide for the general welfare by setting conditions on the receipt of federal funds. The expansion of campus security reporting requirements aligns with the goal of ensuring public safety and well-being, which is a legitimate governmental interest.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).