S4829: Authorizes Secretary of Higher Education to impose a fine against an institution of higher…

SENATE, No. 4829 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 222nd LEGISLATURE INTRODUCED OCTOBER 15, 2026 Sponsored by: Senator JOSEPH P. CRYAN District 20 (Union) SYNOPSIS Authorizes Secretary of Higher Education to impose a fine against an institution of higher education that fails to appropriately respond to a student's allegation of sexual assault by another student. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As introduced. An Act concerning sexual assault at institutions of higher education and supplementing chapter 61E of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. a. The Secretary of Higher Education shall impose a penalty of $10,000 against an institution of higher education in the event that the secretary determines that the institution failed to appropriately respond to and investigate an allegation of sexual assault made by a student enrolled in the institution against another such student, and to impose appropriate disciplinary action against the perpetrator if the allegation is substantiated. b. The civil penalty prescribed by subsection a. of this section shall be collected and enforced by summary proceedings pursuant to the provisions of the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). 2. This act shall take effect immediately. STATEMENT This bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education to impose a penalty of $10,000 against an institution of higher education in the event that the secretary determines that the institution failed to appropriately respond to and investigate an allegation of sexual assault made by a student enrolled in the institution against another student, and to impose appropriate disciplinary action against the perpetrator if the allegation is substantiated.