H.R. 1033: College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability Act of 2025

The bill titled the "College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability Act of 2025," or the "COLUMBIA Act of 2025," establishes a program to monitor and address antisemitism at institutions of higher education in the United States.

Key Provisions

1. **Appointment of Antisemitism Monitors**: Within 180 days after the bill is enacted, the Secretary of Education is required to appoint independent, third-party antisemitism monitors. These monitors will be assigned to colleges and universities identified as having a high incidence of antisemitic activity based on data from the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.

2. **Monitoring Agreement**: The Secretary will create a formal agreement that outlines the responsibilities of the antisemitism monitors and the obligations of the educational institutions. This agreement will specify that institutions are responsible for covering the reasonable expenses incurred by the antisemitism monitors.

3. **Duties of the Antisemitism Monitors**: The appointed monitors will have several responsibilities, including:

• Operating under the monitoring agreement: They must adhere to the terms of the agreement established with the institution.
• Quarterly Reporting: They are required to provide quarterly reports assessing how effectively the institution is addressing antisemitism on campus. These reports will be made publicly available and posted on both the institution's and the Department of Education's websites.
• Annual Reporting: They must submit an annual report to Congress, the Secretary of Education, and relevant local and state governments that will include recommendations for actions, policies, and potential sanctions to reduce antisemitism at the institution.

Definition of Institutions of Higher Education

The bill refers to institutions of higher education as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, ensuring that the monitoring applies within the established legal framework for educational institutions.

Implementation Timeline

The implementation of this monitoring program is set to occur within a specified time frame set by the enactment of the legislation, aiming for expediency in addressing concerns related to antisemitism in higher education environments.

Accountability and Transparency

The requirement for both quarterly and annual reporting aims to promote transparency and accountability for educational institutions in their efforts to combat antisemitism.

Relevant Companies

None found