Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act of 2025
The Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act of 2025 would expand protections against discrimination on the basis of religion in any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance, and it would strengthen enforcement of anti-antisemitism provisions in higher education. The bill adds a formal commitment to vigorously enforce Title VI protections against antisemitic discrimination, defines antisemitism for enforcement purposes, and includes a new harassment standard (deliberate indifference to severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive harassment that undermines a student’s educational experience). It also creates a new sanctions framework under the Higher Education Act for institutions of higher education that receive federal funds, with escalating penalties for repeated violations, plus monitoring, notification to students and staff, and mandatory reporting to Congress. A carve-out allows religious organizations and activities affiliated with them to be exempt from the prohibition, and the bill includes rules intended to protect First Amendment rights and not expand agency authority beyond existing law. In short, the bill aims to (1) protect against religious discrimination more broadly, (2) formalize antisemitism as a target of Title VI enforcement, (3) impose penalties on colleges and universities that tolerate or propagate antisemitic discrimination, and (4) increase oversight, transparency, and accountability in how campuses respond to antisemitism and related harassment.
Key Points
- 1Expands Title VI protections to prohibit discrimination on the ground of religion in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, and adds a defined harassment standard based on deliberate indifference to severe, pervasive, and offensive harassment that undermines educational access.
- 2Adds a codified policy and definition of antisemitism to guide enforcement, aiming to treat antisemitic discrimination as a form of prohibited discrimination with the same rigor as other protected bases.
- 3Creates sanctions for institutions of higher education that receive federal funds if found in violation of Title VI due to antisemitic discrimination, including:
- 4- On a second violation within five years, a minimum fine of 10% of the federal financial assistance for the relevant program, plus ongoing penalties for as long as the violation persists (at least 90 days).
- 5- On a third violation within five years, a minimum fine of 33% of the federal financial assistance for the relevant program, plus ongoing penalties for as long as the violation persists (at least 90 days).
- 6- Hearings must be provided prior to sanctions, with OCR findings used as the basis for action.
- 7Establishes monitoring and reporting requirements, including:
- 8- OCR monitoring of private lawsuits related to antisemitic discrimination to independently assess compliance.
- 9- Institutions must notify all enrolled students, faculty, and staff if found in violation.
- 10- The Secretary must submit a full written report to Congress detailing the actions and grounds for imposing fines.
- 11Adds factors for determining noncompliance and monitoring (Sec. 608), including consideration of prevention/remediation efforts and disciplinary actions, and permits courts to appoint a monitor to oversee remedies.
- 12Contains a carve-out stating that the prohibition on discrimination based on religion does not apply to programs conducted by or affiliated with a religious organization (including student religious organizations).
- 13Includes general guardrails on construction, clarifying that the Act does not expand agency authority, infringe First Amendment rights, or otherwise conflict with existing protections.