Senator Patty Murray's office issued the following earlier this week:
Senator Murray Introduces Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act to Reduce Bullying and Harassment at Colleges and Universities Across the Country
One in five college
students are victims of cyberbullying, and LGBTQ students are nearly
twice as likely to be harassed than their peers
Legislation would
require colleges and universities to establish policies to prohibit
harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual
orientation and gender identity), disability, or religion
Bill is named after
Tyler Clementi, a freshman college student who died by suicide after
experiencing harassment and cyberbullying
Senator Murray: “…I’m calling on colleges and universities to step up and start taking responsibility for students’ safety…”
Washington, D.C. – Today,
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate health and
education committee, re-introduced legislation aimed at reducing
bullying and harassment, including cyberbullying, at colleges and
universities around the country. The Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2019
would require institutions of higher education to establish policies to
prohibit harassment based on actual or perceived race, color, national
origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity),
disability, or religion. The bill also establishes a grant program to
support campus anti-harassment activities and programs. A companion bill
was introduced in the House by Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI-05).
The legislation is named after Tyler
Clementi, a freshman at Rutgers University, who died by suicide after
his roommate and another student invaded his privacy and harassed him
over the internet. One in five college students are victims of
cyberbullying, and LGBTQ students are nearly twice as likely to
experience harassment as their peers.
“No student should have to put their
wellbeing, their safety, or their life in jeopardy just to access an
education, but sadly we’re seeing students around the country take
drastic measures because of bullying and harassment,” said Senator Murray. “In
introducing this legislation, I’m calling on colleges and universities
to step up and start taking responsibility for students’ safety, and I’m
so thankful for the support and partnership of advocates like Jane
Clementi—who is fighting to ensure every student—no matter who they are,
what they believe, or who they love—can pursue higher education free
from discrimination, harassment, or bullying.”
“We are grateful to Congressman
Pocan and Senator Murray for reintroducing the Tyler Clementi Higher
Education Anti-Harassment Act, and fully support this legislation. We
believe all institutions of higher education should have policies to
keep all their students safe. Because every student deserves a positive
educational experience in a safe environment free of harassment,
bullying or humiliation, where they can learn, study and thrive
regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity
or whatever else makes them special and precious; and every parent
should have peace of mind that their children will be protected and free
of harm while in the school’s care," said Jane Clementi, CEO and Founder of the Tyler Clementi Foundation and Tyler’s mother.
In addition to Senator Murray, the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act
is also cosponsored by Senators Baldwin (D-WI), Blumenthal (D-CT),
Booker (D-NJ), Cardin (D-MD), Casey (D-PA), Duckworth (IL), Feinstein
(D-CA), Gillibrand (D-NY), Harris (D-CA), Hassan (D-NH), Hirono (D-HI),
Klobuchar (D-MN), Markey (D-MA), Menendez (D-NJ), Merkley (D-OR), Rosen
(D-NV), Sanders (D-VT), Schatz (D-HI), Shaheen (D-NH), Smith (D-MN), Van
Hollen (D-MD), Warren (D-MA), Whitehouse (D-RI), and Wyden (D-OR).
The Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act has
been endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Tyler Clementi
Foundation, National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), National LGBTQ Task
Force Action Fund, American Association of University Women (AAUW),
GLSEN, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and the American Foundation for
Suicide Prevention.
To read the fact sheet of the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, click HERE.
