Bill · S. 826· Senate(119-S-826)
Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/4/2025
- Last activity
- 3/4/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Rick Scott
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act of 2025" seeks to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include religion as a protected ground against discrimination in programs receiving Federal financial assistance. It also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish rigorous enforcement regarding antisemitism in higher education. The bill defines antisemitism as certain perceptions of Jews or hatred toward them, including manifestations directed at individuals or institutions. It introduces specific sanctions and fines for institutions of higher education found in violation of these rules. Additionally, the bill includes provisions regarding the inclusion of "deliberate indifference to harassment" under the definition of discrimination.
Yes
Would students be better off under this?+5
Students gain enhanced protections against religious harassment and deliberate indifference on campus.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+1
The bill focuses specifically on religious discrimination rather than racial disparities.
The opposite
Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one?-1
The increased administrative and punitive burden on institutions may impact how public funds are utilized.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection for Religious Groups: The bill amends Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the ground of religion for any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance (Section 2(a)).
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Addressing Harassment in Education: For students at colleges or universities, the definition of discrimination is expanded to include "deliberate indifference to harassment" that is severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive, which undermines a victim's educational experience (Section 2(c)).
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Enforcement Against Antisemitism: The bill establishes a policy to enforce Title VI against antisemitic discrimination no less vigorously than all other prohibited forms of discrimination (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Accountability for Higher Education Institutions: Institutions found in violation of antisemitic discrimination requirements may face fines, providing a mechanism for accountability (Section 3(b)(1)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Exemption for Religious Organizations: The prohibition of discrimination on the ground of religion does not apply to programs or activities conducted by, controlled by, or affiliated with a religious organization or student religious organization (Section 2(b)).
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Financial Burdens on Institutions: Institutions of higher education could face significant fines—not less than 10 percent of Federal financial assistance for a second violation or not less than 33 percent for a third violation—within a 5-year period (Section 3(b)(1)(B) and (C)).
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Public Notification of Violations: An institution found in violation of antisemitic discrimination requirements must provide notification of that finding to all enrolled students, faculty, and staff (Section 3(d)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves School Choice-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+1
- 3/4/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.