HB 2242 Summary

• Allows accused students, accused student organizations, and alleged victims to have legal representatives (attorneys or nonattorney advocates) at their own expense during disciplinary proceedings at community colleges and universities.

• Requires legal representatives to have full participation rights in disciplinary proceedings, including the ability to provide support and advice, make opening and closing statements, and present and question witnesses.

• Mandates community college districts and universities provide written notice of legal representation rights at least 7 days before disciplinary proceedings and establish policies requiring good faith exchange of evidence between parties.

• Prohibits individuals who previously served as investigators, advocates, presenters of evidence, or advisors in a case from acting as adjudicators, hearing officers, or appellate hearing officers in that same case to prevent conflicts of interest.

• Allows the state attorney general to direct the state treasurer to withhold up to 10 percent of state funding to institutions that violate these requirements until the violation is resolved.