10-10-2026 10:29pm

Landsman Reintroduces Bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act

Beth Callahan Editor

WARREN COUNTY, OH -- U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman is joining lawmakers from both parties in an effort to change how colleges and universities respond to sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence on campus.

Landsman, D-Ohio, along with Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.; Lois Frankel, D-Fla.; and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., has reintroduced the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, legislation aimed at increasing transparency, improving support for survivors and establishing more consistent procedures for handling reports of sexual misconduct.

Landsman represents Ohio's 1st Congressional District and maintains a district office in downtown Lebanon.

Sexual violence remains a concern on college campuses nationwide, where students may face challenges reporting an assault, finding confidential assistance and navigating university disciplinary procedures. The proposed legislation would require colleges and universities to make more campus safety information readily available to students and the public.

Under the bill, institutions would be required to post campus safety policies, annual security reports, instructions for filing complaints and statistics involving allegations of sexual misconduct on their websites as part of expanded reporting requirements under the federal Clery Act.

The legislation would also create sexual and interpersonal violence specialists who would serve as confidential resources for victims and help coordinate support services.

Colleges would be required to establish standard procedures for handling sexual assault cases and make sure employees involved in those cases receive appropriate training.

Another provision would protect people who report sexual misconduct in good faith from being disciplined for certain conduct disclosed as part of the report, including alcohol or drug use or acts of self-defense.

The bill would also establish a campus grant program focused on preventing and responding to sexual assault, sexual harassment and domestic violence.

“Students have to be kept safe on college campuses,” Landsman said in announcing the legislation. “The reports of sexual violence at colleges and universities make it clear that changes are needed.”

Landsman said the bipartisan legislation is intended to provide greater transparency and accountability while giving students more support when they come forward.

Khanna said stigma and concerns about the reporting process can discourage survivors from reporting sexual violence or pursuing complaints through university systems.

Frankel said students should be able to pursue an education without fearing sexual harassment, violence or stalking and emphasized the importance of confidential assistance for survivors.

Fitzpatrick said colleges and universities must also be held accountable for how allegations of sexual assault and violence are handled.

The lawmakers described the proposal as a bipartisan effort to establish more uniform expectations for colleges and universities while reducing barriers for students seeking help or reporting sexual misconduct.

The legislation will now have to move through Congress before it could become federal law.