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Congress·In Committee·5 months ago

Congress targets college discipline cases by requiring adviser options for accused students to keep federal funds

Also known as: Katie Meyer’s Law

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(4)
Child Tax Credit
Neutral
Mental Health
Neutral
Disability Benefits
Neutral
Chronic Illness
Neutral
Positive Impacts(1)
Student
Helps

Key Points

  • Congress would tie federal education funding to colleges adopting a rule that students accused of breaking the school conduct code can have an adviser.
  • Schools would have to tell accused students they can either pick an outside adviser or ask the school to provide an independent adviser.
  • Any adviser involved would need training on the school’s process, could get bi-weekly updates (with the student’s written okay), and could take part as the student’s advocate.
  • The bill says schools could provide advisers through staff support roles, student peer-support programs, or alumni-based support programs.
  • It would also add “reported suicides” to the campus safety statistics schools must disclose when campus security or local police were notified.
EducationCivil Rights

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Sep 23, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sep 23, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill becomes law and the Education Department/colleges implement it

Colleges update their student conduct notices to include the adviser options

If you get a code-of-conduct allegation notice, it should clearly tell you that you can pick an outside adviser or ask the school for an independent adviser.

First school term after implementation starts

Colleges set up (or expand) an independent adviser program

Students who want help but don’t have their own adviser may be matched with an independent adviser through a coordinator, peer program, or alumni program.

As schools roll out the new adviser policy

Training requirement starts for outside and independent advisers

Advisers who participate will be trained on the school’s hearing rules, which may make support more consistent across cases.

Once adviser programs are operational

Bi-weekly case updates become standard (with the student’s written permission)

If you authorize it, your adviser should receive regular updates every two weeks during the conduct process, helping you keep track of what’s next.

Related News

2 articles
Stanford Report·about 1 month ago

Joint statement from Stanford and Katie Meyer’s family

Stanford and the Meyer family announce a lawsuit resolution; Stanford says it will adopt the principles of Katie Meyer’s Law in its disciplinary process.

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The Stanford Daily·5 months ago

Representative Julia Brownley introduces ‘Katie Meyer’s Law’ as federal legislation

Covers introduction of Katie Meyer’s Law in the House: adviser option in discipline cases plus suicide reporting in annual campus security reports.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Katie Meyer’s Law

Bill NumberHR 5545
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(7)
D: 7

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.