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OHE policy bill would add campus misconduct grievance process, consolidate reports and broaden program definitions
Summary
The Office of Higher Education presented House File 2312, a policy bill that adds a campus sexual misconduct grievance process, extends several student protections to private colleges, consolidates reporting and clarifies eligible institutions for some grants; the bill was laid over for further consideration.
The Office of Higher Education (OHE) presented House File 2312 to the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee, proposing multiple statutory changes intended to standardize processes across public and private institutions.
Nikki Oliver, OHE director of government relations and community engagement, said the bill adds a campus sexual misconduct grievance resolution process to statute, extends statutory protections for pregnant and parenting students to private colleges, consolidates several competitive grant and student loan repayment programs to streamline reporting, and clarifies that industry‑recognized credential programs should be accredited.
On the Title IX standard of evidence, Melissa Wachke, OHE’s Title IX training administrator, told the committee that “preponderance of evidence is pretty much the standard of practice in sexual misconduct grievance processes” and that the 2020 federal Title IX rules permit institutions to choose either preponderance or clear and convincing evidence but that a majority of Minnesota institutions use preponderance.
The bill also proposes to repeal three reports that OHE staff described as redundant or not changing substantively: the Study Abroad Health and Safety Report, a transfer student report and a dual‑credit/exam‑based credit acceptance report. OHE said it will consolidate reporting to make the data more accessible in a single location.
OHE proposed a technical clarification for its spinal cord and traumatic brain injury research grant program, specifying eligible institutions that may apply. Committee members questioned whether the program’s current practice — which has included non‑academic organizations — would change; OHE staff said the language is intended to reflect existing practice and to keep the program’s advisory council and competitive review intact.
Representative members asked about oversight and the ability of colleges to set different campus misconduct standards. Representative Scott asked why the bill uses a preponderance standard; Wachke said the 2020 Title IX regulations require institutions to publish their evidence standard and that preponderance is the predominant approach.
Ending
Chair and committee members laid House File 2312 over for further consideration; OHE and stakeholders are expected to provide follow‑up materials and amendments prior to omnibus negotiations.
