Bill Text: CA SB967 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Student safety: sexual assault.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-1)
Status: (Passed) 2014-09-28 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 748, Statutes of 2014. [SB967 Detail]
Download: California-2013-SB967-Amended.html
Bill Title: Student safety: sexual assault.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-1)
Status: (Passed) 2014-09-28 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 748, Statutes of 2014. [SB967 Detail]
Download: California-2013-SB967-Amended.html
BILL NUMBER: SB 967 AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 27, 2014 INTRODUCED BY Senators De León and Jackson (Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Lowenthal) (Coauthors: Senators Beall, Cannella, Evans, Galgiani, Monning, Pavley,and TorresTorres, Wolk, and Yee ) (Coauthors: Assembly MembersGonzalezAmmiano, Fong, Gonzalez, Quirk-Silva, Skinner, Ting, and Williams) FEBRUARY 10, 2014 An act to add Section 67386 to the Education Code, relating to student safety. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 967, as amended, De León. Student safety: sexual assault. Existinglaw, the Kristin Smart Campus Safety Act of 1998,law requires the governing boards of each community college district, the Trustees of the California State University, the Regents of the University of California, and the governing boards of independent postsecondary institutionsto adopt rules requiring each of their respective campuses to enter into a written agreement with local law enforcement agencies relating to certain violent crimes. Existing law also requires those governing boardsto adopt and implement written procedures or protocols to ensure that students, faculty, and staff who are victims of sexual assault on the grounds or facilities of their institutions receive treatment and information, including a description of on-campus and off-campus resources. This bill would requirethesethe governing boards of each community college district, the Trustees of the California State University, the Regents of the University of California, and the governing boards of independent postsecondary institutions that receive public funds for student financial assistance to adopt policies concerning campus sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking that include certain elements, including an affirmative consent standard in the determination of whether consent was given by a complainant. The bill would require these governing boards to adopt certain sexual assault policies and protocols, as specified, and would require the governing boards, to the extent feasible, to enter into memoranda of understanding or other agreements or less formal partnerships with on-campus and community-based organizations to refer victims for assistance or make services available to victims. The bill would also require the governing boards to implement comprehensive prevention programs addressing sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. By requiring community college districts to adopt or modify certain policies and protocols, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 67386 is added to the Education Code, to read: 67386. (a) The governing board of each community college district, the Trustees of the California State University, the Regents of the University of California, and the governingboardboards of independent postsecondaryinstitutions, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (i) of Section 67381,institutions that receive pu blic funds for student financial assistance shall adopt a policy concerning campus sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking that includes all of the following: (1) An affirmative consent standard in the determination of whether consent was given by a complainant. "Affirmative consent" is a freely and affirmatively communicated willingness to participate in particular sexual activity or behavior, expressed either by words or clear, unambiguous actions. It is the responsibility of the person who wants to engage in the sexual activity to ensure that he or she has the consent of the other person to engage in the sexual activity. Lack of protest or resistance does not mean consent, nor does silence mean consent. For that reason, relying solely on nonverbal communication can lead to misunderstanding. The existence of a dating relationship between the persons involved, or the fact of a past sexual relationship, shall not provide the basis for an assumption of consent. Consent must be present throughout sexual activity, and at any time, a participant can communicate that he or she no longer consents to continuing the sexual activity. If there is confusion as to whether a person has consented or continues to consent to sexual activity, it is essential that the participants stop the activity until the confusion can be clearly resolved. (2)In the evaluation of complaints in the disciplinary process, it shall not be a defense that the accusedA provision specifying that a claim by the accused that he or she believed that the complainant consented to the sexual activity shall not be considered under either of the following circumstances: (A) The accused's belief in consent arose from the self-induced intoxication or recklessness of the accused. (B) The accused did not take reasonable steps, in the circumstances known to the accused at the time, to ascertain that the complainant was consenting. (3) A preponderance of the evidence standard in the determination of disciplinary action. (4) In the evaluation of complaints in the disciplinary process, an individual under any of the following conditions is unable to consent to the sexual activity: (A) Asleep or unconscious. (B) Incapacitated due to the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication. (C) Unable to communicate due to a mental or physical condition. (b) The governing board of each community college district, the Trustees of the California State University, the Regents of the University of California, and the governingboardboards of independent postsecondaryinstitutions, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (i) of Section 67381,institutions that receive public funds for student financial assistance shall adopt detailed and victim-centered sexual assault policies and protocols that comport with best practices and current professional standards. At a minimum, the policies and protocols shall cover all of the following: (1) A policy statement on how the institution will protect the confidentiality ofvictims.individuals involved in the incident. (2) Initialofficerresponse by the institution's personnel to a report of sexual assault, including requirements specific to assisting the victim,evidence collection,providing information in writing about the importance of preserving evidence, and the identification and location of witnesses. (3) Response to stranger and nonstranger sexual assault. (4) The preliminary victim interview, including the development of a victim interview protocol, and a comprehensive followup victim interview. (5) Contacting and interviewing the accused.(6) Medical forensic examinations and coordination with the forensic examiner.(6) Providing written notification to the victim about the availability of, and contact information for, on- and off-campus resources and services, and coordination with law enforcement, as appropriate. (7) Participation of victim advocates.(8) Investigative considerations regarding alcohol- and drug-facilitated sexual assault, including requirements specific to evidence collection and forensic examination of victims.(8) Investigating allegations that alcohol or drugs were involved in the incident. (9) The role of the institutional staff supervision. (10) Procedures for anonymous reporting of sexual assault. (c) To the extent feasible, the governing board of each community college district, the Trustees of the California State University, the Regents of the University of California, and the governingboardboards of independent postsecondaryinstitutions, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (i) of Section 67381,institutions that receive public funds for student financial assistance shall enter into memoranda of understanding, agreements, orsimilarless formal partnerships with existing on-campus and community-based organizations, including rape crisis centers, to refer victims for assistance or make services available to victims, including counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, and legal assistance. (d) The governing board of each community college district, the Trustees of the California State University, the Regents of the University of California, and the governingboardboards of independent postsecondaryinstitutions, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (i) of Section 67381,institutions that receive public funds for student financial assistance, shall implement comprehensive prevention programs addressing sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. A comprehensive prevention program shall include a range of prevention strategies, including, but not limited to, women's empowerment programming, awareness raising campaigns, primary prevention, bystander intervention, and risk reduction. SEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.