Regular Session 2023-2024 Senate Resolution 0012 P.N. 0134

PRINTER'S NO. 134

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

No.

Session of

2023

INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, SCHWANK, SANTARSIERO, L. WILLIAMS,

FONTANA, COMITTA, HAYWOOD, COLLETT, BARTOLOTTA, COSTA,

KEARNEY, TARTAGLIONE, DILLON AND BREWSTER, JANUARY 19, 2023

REFERRED TO EDUCATION, JANUARY 19, 2023

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a

study on the impact of sexual harassment, sexual assault,

dating violence, domestic violence and stalking on

Commonwealth students enrolled in grades six through twelve

and postsecondary institutions and issue a report of its

findings and recommendations to the Governor and General

Assembly.

WHEREAS, One in five women and one in twenty men experience

sexual violence during their time in college; and

WHEREAS, The United States Department of Justice has found

that nearly 20% of girls between 14 and 17 years of age

experience sexual assault; and

WHEREAS, Research suggests that younger students, lesbian,

gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) students,

students of color and students with disabilities experience

higher rates of sexual violence and relationship violence than

their peers; and

WHEREAS, One in three adolescents experience violent and

abusive dating behaviors, including physical, sexual, emotional,

technological or verbal abuse; and

WHEREAS, The trauma of sexual violence has significant

negative impacts on students, including immediate and long-term

health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, substance

abuse, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, as well as

difficulties with school work or grades and problems with

friends, roommates, other students or family members; and

WHEREAS, Each year, an estimated 61,141 girls between 14 and

17 years of age in this Commonwealth experience sexual assault,

resulting in an estimated $14.8 billion in lifetime costs

resulting from decreased educational attainment and

productivity; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's school districts and postsecondary

institutions must ensure that all learners have access to high-

quality education in environments that are free from

discrimination, harassment and violence; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government

Commission to conduct a study on the impact of sexual

harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence

and stalking on Commonwealth students enrolled in grades six

through twelve and postsecondary institutions and issue a report

of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General

Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission seek

input and information as appropriate from at least the

following:

(1) the Department of Education;

(2) the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and

Delinquency;

(3) the Department of Human Services;

(4) the Department of Health;

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(5) students representing each of the following:

(i) grades six through eight, including private and

public institutions, charter schools and cyber schools;

(ii) grades nine through twelve, including private

and public institutions, charter schools and cyber

schools; and

(iii) institutions of higher education;

(6) teachers and staff members from private and public

institutions, charter schools and cyber schools;

(7) school administrators, including superintendents,

serving in rural, urban and suburban school districts;

(8) faculty and staff members from institutions of

higher education;

(9) presidents of institutions of higher education,

including public and private two-year and four-year

institutions;

(10) deans of students or equivalent positions within

institutions of higher education, including public and

private two-year and four-year institutions;

(11) Title IX coordinators serving in rural, urban and

suburban school districts, as well as in institutions of

higher education, including public and private two-year and

four-year institutions;

(12) campus law enforcement or security personnel

serving at institutions of higher education, including public

and private two-year and four-year institutions;

(13) a police chief of a municipality containing an

institution of higher education, including public and private

two-year and four-year institutions;

(14) a representative of the judiciary with experience

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in matters affecting young adults;

(15) a representative of a hospital or health care

provider;

(16) a medical professional from a campus health care

center of an institution of higher education;

(17) a representative of an organization providing

services to victims of relationship violence or sexual

assault;

(18) a psychiatrist or licensed clinical social worker

licensed and practicing in this Commonwealth with

demonstrated expertise in treatment of victims of

relationship violence or sexual assault; and

(19) a representative of an organization representing

the interests of LGBTQ youths in this Commonwealth;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue

surveys and other information requests to institutions of higher

education and school districts to assist in its study and

recommendations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the report of the Joint State Government

Commission include findings and recommendations regarding

improving responses and establishing consistent responses to

sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic

violence and stalking at secondary and postsecondary

institutions, and that the report:

(1) compare and analyze responses to sexual harassment,

sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and

stalking in different educational settings, including public

and private secondary and postsecondary institutions;

(2) identify and review prevention and response policies

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for both secondary and postsecondary institutions aimed at

reducing sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence,

domestic violence and stalking;

(3) identify and analyze the number, frequency and

benefits or deficiencies of postsecondary institutions,

campus climate surveys, including how the surveys are

conducted and how the surveys are used to construct the

postsecondary institutions' policies, programs and procedures

relating to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating

violence, domestic violence and stalking; and

(4) include other data determined to be necessary or

appropriate;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue

its report to the Governor and General Assembly within one year

of the adoption of this resolution.

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