Raised Bill No. 19 - Sexual Misconduct on College Campuses

• Defines "affirmative consent" as an active, clear and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity, establishing it as the standard for determining consent in institutional sexual assault policies effective July 1, 2020.

• Requires each institution of higher education to adopt and disclose policies on sexual assault, stalking and intimate partner violence that include specific provisions on affirmative consent, reporting procedures, support services, disciplinary processes using preponderance of evidence standard, and protection of reporter confidentiality.

• Establishes a 16-member Council on Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey to develop and update a standardized survey assessing campus climate related to sexual assault, stalking and intimate partner violence, with initial appointments due within 60 days of July 1, 2020 and council terminating June 30, 2022.

• Requires all Connecticut institutions of higher education to distribute the council-developed sexual misconduct survey to students by October 1, 2021 and biennially thereafter, with survey responses protected from use in investigations or disciplinary proceedings.

• Protects students who report sexual assault, stalking or intimate partner violence from disciplinary action if the report was made in good faith and did not place others' health or safety at risk, including violations involving alcohol or drugs.