Committee Passes Sen. Dodd’s Campus Harassment Bill

SACRAMENTO – Legislation advanced today from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would build on efforts to safeguard students from sexual misconduct and violence on college campuses by adopting new requirements recommended in a California State Auditor report and by extending those rules to the University of California, California State University and community college systems.

“Providing safer college campuses is a top priority,” Sen. Dodd said. “It starts by improving the way we prevent and monitor these disturbing incidents. Because right now, have deficient standards and transparency in the investigation and reporting process, and there’s a serious lack of consistency and accountability from those in charge. My bill will incorporate key recommendations from the auditor’s report to create meaningful systemic and cultural change.”

Sen. Dodd’s Senate Bill 1166 follows his 2023 legislation that increased transparency and reporting requirements when handling campus harassment cases. That bill, SB 808, required detailed reporting to the Legislature on the investigations and outcomes of sexual harassment reports and formal sexual harassment complaints and requires the California State University to post these annual reports on its internet website for public awareness. It was co-sponsored by the California Faculty Association and the CSU Employees Union.

Under provisions of Sen. Dodd’s latest bill, investigations on UC, CSU and community colleges would be subject to additional oversight, building on reforms to Title IX requirements. SB 1166 is co-sponsored by the CSU Employees Union and the student organization, GENup. It was approved by the Senate Education committee by a 7-0 vote.

Sen. Dodd’s measures are in response to numerous cases of sexual harassment and violence on CSU campuses in recent years including at Sonoma State University and the California Maritime Academy, both in Senate District 3.

Link to State Auditor’s report: https://www.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2022-109/index.html

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties. More information on Senator Bill Dodd can be found at www.senate.ca.gov/dodd.