Student Protection and University Accountability Act
Bill NumberH.R. 9203
IntroducedJune 8, 2026
CommitteeHouse Education & the Workforce
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Background
This bipartisan bill addresses the alarming rise in antisemitism and campus discrimination following the October 7, 2023, attacks. It strengthens enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, including shared ancestry and ethnicity — by drawing from proven Title IX models to impose clear procedural standards on institutions receiving federal funds.
The legislation increases transparency in how universities handle civil rights complaints, prevents premature dismissal of cases, and ensures accountability through the potential loss of federal funding.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Elise Stefanik
Republican · NY-21
Original Cosponsor
Rep. Laura Gillen
Democrat · NY-4
Cosponsor
Rep. Josh Gottheimer
Democrat · NJ-5 · Added June 24, 2026
✦ Bipartisan bill with broad pro-Israel and Jewish community support
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What the Bill Does — Key Provisions
The bill amends the Higher Education Act to require institutions of higher education to:
1
Designate a Title VI Coordinator
At least one employee responsible for compliance and investigating civil rights complaints.
Including how complaints are evaluated, factors for opening investigations, and how outcomes are determined — posted on the institution's website and distributed at orientation.
3
Provide Timely Notifications to Complainants (within 30 days)
Required within 30 days
✓ Acknowledgment of complaint receipt
✓ Decision on whether an investigation is opened, with explanation if not
✓ Outcome of any investigation, including reasoning and any remedial actions taken
4
Maintain Detailed Records
Of all complaints, decisions, investigations, communications, and resolutions.
5
Display Dept. of Education / OCR Title VI Guidance
Prominently on campus and on institutional websites for at least one year.
6
Include Complaint Reporting Information
Clear steps and contact information for filing complaints both with the institution and with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Enforcement Mechanism
Institutions must annually attest to compliance. Failure to comply for two consecutive years results in loss of eligibility for federal student aid and other federal programs — recoverable upon demonstrating compliance.
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Additional Reforms
Requires bimonthly congressional briefings from the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights on Title VI complaints, with data disaggregated by basis — including shared ancestry.
Prohibits OCR from prematurely dismissing complaints simply because parallel complaints were filed elsewhere, with limited exceptions.
Prevents delays in investigations caused by parallel filings at other agencies or institutions.
H.R. 9203 · Student Protection and University Accountability Act · 119th Congress (2025–2026)
