The proposed bill, General Assembly Committee Bill No. 980, aims to enhance safety on the campuses of institutions of higher education by addressing hate incidents and discrimination. Effective July 1, 2025, the bill defines "hate incident" as any speech or conduct motivated by hatred or bias against individuals based on their race, religious identity, or ethnicity. It mandates that each institution appoint a Title VI coordinator by September 1, 2025, responsible for handling complaints related to hate incidents, providing training for staff, and collecting data on campus climate regarding discrimination. Additionally, institutions are required to adopt policies by January 1, 2026, that include training for staff on responding to hate incidents, procedures for investigating complaints, and the establishment of a campus task force to combat various forms of hatred.

The bill also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between campus safety personnel and local law enforcement to ensure security for student groups at risk of hate crimes or violent acts. The proposed legal language includes new sections that outline these responsibilities and requirements, while no deletions from current law are specified. The overall purpose of the bill is to ensure that higher education institutions are equipped to effectively respond to and prevent incidents of hate, harassment, and bias based on race, religion, or ethnicity.