Rep. Haley Stevens Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Antisemitism on College Campuses

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI), Don Bacon (R-NE), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Lois Frankel (D-FL) introduced the Protecting Students on Campus Act, bipartisan legislation to address rising antisemitism and other forms of discrimination on college campuses.

At a time when hate is surging domestically and globally—resulting in horrific antisemitic violence, including Sunday’s deadly shooting in Bondi Beach, Australia—this legislation provides meaningful protections to ensure students can learn in safe, inclusive environments.

“Acts of blatant antisemitism are unacceptable in Michigan and everywhere else. We must ensure our campuses are free of harassment and violence targeting the Jewish community,” said Rep. Haley Stevens. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to put student safety first, and make sure our classrooms are places of learning, not fear.”

“Antisemitism and hate are surging on college campuses and around the world, and the consequences are deadly—as we saw in the vile attack in Bondi Beach,” said Rep. Frankel. “Students cannot learn if they do not feel safe. The Protecting Students on Campus Act gives students clear pathways to report antisemitism and discrimination, strengthens accountability for colleges, and helps ensure campuses are places where hate is not tolerated.”

The bill increases transparency, oversight, and accountability by enhancing the role of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), helping schools identify discrimination early and take action to protect students.

The urgency is unmistakable. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), 83 percent of Jewish students report witnessing or experiencing antisemitism on campus since October 7. Nationwide, antisemitic incidents have increased nearly ninefold over the past decade.

"Jewish students deserve better than empty promises when antisemitism erupts on campus. The Protecting Students on Campus Act transforms rhetoric into action by requiring real transparency and giving students the tools to hold their universities accountable,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). “In this climate of rising antisemitic incidents on campus and in Jewish communities around the world, as we’ve seen with the recent, horrific attack at Bondi Beach, this legislation couldn't come at a more urgent time. We thank Reps. Frankel, Bacon, McBath, Ciscomani, and Stevens for their leadership and urge the swift passage of this legislation so that our campuses remain places of learning, not fear."

"American Jewish Committee's (AJC) State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report found that 35% of Jewish college students experienced antisemitism during their time on campus and 48% felt unsafe or avoided expressing their views or Jewish identity. These numbers reflect an alarming reality: Jewish students are being targeted and marginalized in unprecedented ways," said Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee. "AJC applauds Representatives Frankel (D-FL), Bacon (R-NJ), McBath (D-GA), Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Stevens (D-MI) for taking action by introducing the Protecting Students on Campus Act, legislation that empowers students to report discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, while providing critical accountability to ensure the U.S. Department of Education responds appropriately to federal complaints."

The Protecting Students on Campus Act:

• Requires colleges and universities to post clear, accessible information and conduct public awareness campaigns on how to file a Title VI discrimination complaint with OCR;
• Requires colleges and universities to report the number of civil rights complaints they receive and the actions taken to address them;
• Requires the Department of Education’s Inspector General to audit institutions that report disproportionately high numbers of discrimination complaints relative to their student population; and

• Requires the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights to regularly brief Congress on complaints received by OCR and the number pending review.

The Protecting Students on Campus Act is endorsed by the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and the Jewish Federations of North America.

For the full text of the bill, click here.