Katie Meyer's Law Proposed for Nationwide Passage; Provides greater safety and protection for college students
Yesterday, California Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced the introduction of the Katie Meyer’s Law for nationwide expansion to all universities and colleges that receive federal funding.
Passed in September 2024 in the state of California, Katie Meyer’s Law ensures that students at public institutions of higher learning have access to and the right to select an independent advisor to assist them in navigating disciplinary proceedings. Congresswoman Brownley, with support from Katie’s Save and endorsements from The Trevor Project and SEAT (Students Engaged in Advancing Texas), also expanded the proposed legislation to create new reporting requirements for campus suicide incidents.
The introduction of this federal legislation comes during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, during which dedicated efforts are made to raise awareness, normalize seeking out help and support, to recognize warning signs, and encourage open and honest conversation about mental health and wellness. Suicide affects millions of people each year, yet too many individuals continue to struggle in silence.
Katie Meyer, after whom the Katie Meyer’s Law was named, was a beautiful soul, an incredible athlete and student, and a high achiever in all her life’s pursuits. She was a standout goalkeeper who led Stanford University to the 2019 NCAA women’s soccer championship. While completing her senior year at Stanford University and preparing to begin studies at Stanford Law, Katie was faced with disciplinary action that placed the entirety of her life’s efforts in jeopardy. The action taken would result in withholding her degree with the possibility of expulsion from Stanford University. Distressed by the potential repercussions, Katie suffered an acute crisis stress reaction. The immense pressure, fear, and overwhelm that followed was so intense, that she took her own life in the darkness and solitude of her dorm room on March 1, 2022.
In the wake of this devastating loss, Katie’s family has worked tirelessly to honor her memory and save others from a similar heartbreaking tragedy. Their advocacy led to the passage of the original Katie Meyer’s Law in California, which guarantees students attending public colleges and universities the right to an adviser during disciplinary proceedings – a policy they believe could have saved Katie’s life.
“We truly believe this law could have saved Katie’s life,” shared Gina Meyer. “We miss her endlessly, and while it will not bring her back, it will save lives and protect students and their campus communities going forward.”
How will the proposed federal legislation make an impact?
Katie Meyer’s Law underscores the urgent need for greater protections and support for students. The proposed legislation, to federalize the existing California state law, provides a supportive framework for students facing allegations of violations of a university policy which is frequently absent from administrative proceedings. Currently, federal law does not require higher education institutions to allow students to have an adviser during disciplinary hearings for academic or athletic code of conduct violations. Even on campuses where advisers are permitted, those advisers often lack training in the institution’s procedures, leaving students isolated and unprepared in stressful proceedings.
Congresswoman Brownley’s proposed revision to Katie Meyer’s Law would federalize the existing California state law to benefit and further protect college and university students across the country. The legislation would serve as a ‘front end safety net’ for students, whereby the adviser of the student’s choice would be informed on day one of an administrative allegations, have time to get educated on the resources and processes the student must endure, and receive biweekly updates on status and/or resolution of the matter.
“By ensuring students have a trusted advisor by their side and by requiring greater transparency about suicide on our campuses, my bill seeks to put student well-being and mental health front and center,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “We owe it to Katie, her family, and countless other young people to make sure no student feels alone in their greatest moments of need.”
As outlined, the proposed bill would require higher education institutions that receive federal funding to:
Provide or allow an adviser if a student receives notification of an alleged violation of the school’s code of conduct;
Notify students of their ability to select their own advisor or have the institution provide an independent advisor, either through a confidential respondent services coordinator or through an agreement with student-based or alumni-based peer support programs.
The bill also sets forth requirements for the adviser leading up to and throughout the disciplinary proceedings, including:
Training on the adjudication procedures of the institution;
Authority, with written permission from the student, to receive bi-weekly updates throughout the process; and
Ability to actively participate in the proceedings as an advocate for the student.
Additionally, the legislation would strengthen campus transparency requirements related to suicide incidents. Current law requires colleges and universities that receive federal funding to publish an Annual Security Report (ASR) with crime statistics and safety measures. Katie Meyer’s Law would require incidents of death by suicide to be included in the ASR, ensuring that students and faculty gain full transparency related to this mental health concern.
Kim Dougherty, co-founder of Justice Law Collaborative and the Meyer family’s attorney said, “I am incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Brownley for taking up this cause with passion and perseverance. Through Katie’s Save, the Meyer family is transforming their personal pain into purpose. I am honored to walk alongside the Meyers, who are tireless in their efforts to create real change and a lasting legacy for Katie across the entirety of our nation, adding greater protections for our young people during the particularly challenging transition from teenager to adult.”
Read the text of the proposed bill here.