TRENTON, N.J. — The Assembly has passed legislation that could result in New Jersey colleges and universities facing fines up to $50,000 for not properly investigating sexual assault allegations.
Lawmakers passed the measure Monday by a 70-3 vote, with three abstentions. It would authorize the state attorney general to impose fines on institutions of higher education if they don’t adequately investigate the allegations.
Lawmakers say the legislation comes in response to the federal disclosure that 55 colleges and universities are under investigation for their potential mishandling of sexual assault complaints.
“The days of looking the other way when it comes to sexual assault are over,” Democratic Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, who sponsored the bill, said in a statement.
Under the proposed legislation, the attorney general would determine the criteria that colleges and universities would have to meet.
Lawmakers say victims deserve to know that schools are doing what they can to minimize trauma.
“The physical and mental scarring from sexual assault can impact a victim for the rest of their life, especially if the incident is not processed properly through the appropriate legal channels,” Democratic Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle said in a statement.
