Update on the Rulemaking Process
Title IX Update as of 2-18-2024
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) continues its path to changing the current Title IX rules and regulations. The new changes will seriously impact future college students’ rights. Here's a quick summary of potential changes:
Stronger Protections:
Focus on survivors: Enhanced investigation processes, clearer evidence standards, and increased support services for survivors/Complainants of sexual harassment and assault in educational settings.
Fair and impartial investigations: Trained investigators, swifter timelines, and clear communication throughout the process aim to ensure fairness and equity for all involved.
Mandatory training: Increased emphasis on mandatory training for faculty, staff, and students regarding sexual harassment, misconduct, and bystander intervention to create a safer learning environment.
Expanded Scope:
Clearer definitions: The proposal clarifies definitions of sexual harassment, including online behaviors, and expands the scope to encompass discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
Protecting LGBTQ+ students: This proposed inclusion aims to protect LGBTQ+ students from harassment and discrimination based on their identity.
Workplace protection: The definition of harassment extends to include school employees, aiming to create safer and more equitable working environments.
Current Stage:
The proposed rules are under public review and comment.
The final rules may differ from the initial proposals, and the timeline for implementation is uncertain.
We should see the new Rules be finalized between March and Summer of 2024.
Stay Informed:
Visit the OCR blog for updates: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/blog/index.html
Follow the Department of Education and OCR on social media for announcements.
Stay engaged in the discussion and voice your opinions through the public comment process
