Madison Kwiecinski 

News Editor

Mvk5945@psu.edu 

Governor Wolf announced Monday, October 18th, 2021 that he will be building on his previously successful “It’s On Us” PA initiative, with a series of bills that will combat against campus sexual assaults and create added protections for students. Wolf unveiled the four-bill package, which, if enacted, will create a “yes means yes” law. 

“I commend the legislators joining me in this fight and urge the leadership in the General Assembly to quickly take this legislation up for a vote and send it to my desk,” said Governor Wolf after the legislation was unveiled. 

One portion of the new legislation that would be enacted if it passes would be the “yes means yes” law which essentially requires postsecondary institutions to have clear policies that define what is, and is not, consent. Laws of this nature are meant to protect both parties involved by setting up clear and defined terms for what can be considered consent, and are laws several states have already enacted on their own.

Under this bill schools would also be required to have sexual violence awareness programs, as well as agreements in place with local crisis centers to provide the necessary help victims of sexual assault may face. 

“It is imperative that we take steps to prevent sexual violence on campuses and more fully support the victims when it does happen,” said State Senator Amanda Cappelletti, one of the sponsors of the bill that would enact this legislation.  “The bill that I am introducing with Senators Muth and Collett provides clear standards of what consent is, and is not, and would ensure students know where they can access resources in the event of an assault by requiring agreements with local rape crisis centers and domestic violence programs. I’m glad we are working together to comprehensively support the students of Pennsylvania.”

Another portion of the proposed four bills would educate middle school and highschool students on dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking. Although there are already laws in place for the required expelling of a student after an assault on school grounds occurs, this bill would expand on the protection already offered through higher levels of education on the subject. The bill requires preventative education be in place for students in grades 7-12. 

Additionally, for grades 6-12 and postsecondary institutions, a task force will be created to study study sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. The study would be conducted by the Joint State Government Commission in order to better understand the experience students go through and increase and improve response efforts. 

The fourth major prong of the proposed bills is designed to strengthen protections for on-campus crime. This section of the legislation would require schools to inform victims on campus of their rights and the services available to them. The schools would also be required to provide protective measures or accommodations if they were requested. 

“Sexual assault and domestic violence remain a problem on college campuses,” said State Senator Steve Santarsiero, the sponsor of this bill. “Our institutions of higher education have both the opportunity and responsibility to provide support and reasonable accommodations to students who have been the victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. My legislation, Senate Bill 909, will require colleges and universities to inform students of the rights, accommodations, and protective measures available to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.”  

According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, NISVS, produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, there are more than 418,000 victims of sexual violence under age 18 in Pennsylvania. According to statistics provided by Governor Wolf at the unveiling of the legislation, it is estimated one in five college women are assaulted. These are the increasingly concerning statistics Wolf is trying to address through this legislation. 

“We have made a lot of progress in combatting sexual violence and harassment in schools, but we need to do more to ensure all of our students are safe,” said Governor Wolf. “These four legislative proposals are the next step to preventing assaults and violence and ensuring victims get the help they deserve.