HB 5603 Summary

• Creates the Office of the Higher Education Ombudsman within the Department of Education, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Governor.

• Ombudsman may investigate complaints from legislators, students, faculty, and staff regarding administrative acts, civil rights violations, sexual misconduct, or other legal violations by public universities or their employees, agents, or officials.

• Ombudsman has authority to access university records and documents, inspect university premises, interview individuals, and hold informal hearings without requiring releases or advance notice.

• Universities are prohibited from penalizing complainants or those cooperating with the ombudsman, and must not hinder the ombudsman's lawful actions or refuse compliance with office demands.

• Ombudsman must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing complaint statistics, investigation categories, findings, and results; must also compile anonymous campus climate surveys every 3 years covering at least 20% of students, staff, and faculty at each public university.