AB 1155

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law establishes the University of California, the California State University, the California Community Colleges, independent institutions of higher education, and private postsecondary educational institutions as the segments of postsecondary education in this state. Existing law requests the Trustees of the California State University, the Regents of the University of California, and the governing board of each community college district to adopt and publish policies on harassment, intimidation, and bullying to be included within the rules and regulations governing student behavior and, if the institution expends funds to support activities related to campus climate, as defined, to adopt and publish the above-described policies. This bill would establish the Campus-Affiliated Sorority and Fraternity Transparency Act, which would require each institution of higher education to include in the institution's requirements for campus recognition of a campus-affiliated sorority or fraternity, as defined, a requirement that the sorority or fraternity report on or before July 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, specified information to the institution and a requirement that the institution suspend the campus recognition of any sorority or fraternity that does not comply with these reporting requirements. The bill would encourage a sorority or fraternity not affiliated with the institution that has more than 50% of members enrolled at that institution to comply with these reporting requirements. The bill would require each institution with sororities or fraternities to compile the collected information into a publicly accessible report posted, and archived, on each respective campus' internet website on or before August 1, 2022, and annually thereafter. The bill would require the annual report to include outcomes of allegations of misconduct, as defined, by sororities or fraternities or members of the sororities or fraternities and the number of citations, or disciplinary actions taken, relating to sexual assault by members of the sororities or fraternities. To the extent this would impose new duties on community college districts, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.