The proposed General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5426 mandates that by August 1, 2026, all institutions of higher education in the state must implement a policy allowing students to be accompanied by an advisor or support person of their choice during disciplinary proceedings. This provision is designed to ensure that students have support during such proceedings, provided that the presence of the advisor does not cause any delays in the scheduled meetings. Additionally, for cases involving serious offenses such as sexual assault, stalking, and intimate partner violence, existing policies that allow for an advisor's presence will take precedence over this new policy if there are any discrepancies.

The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and introduces new legal language to current law, specifically establishing the requirement for advisor availability during disciplinary proceedings. The statement of purpose emphasizes the importance of student support in these situations, reflecting a commitment to fair and equitable treatment within the disciplinary process at higher education institutions.