Bipartisan Effort Seeks Stricter Protections for School Assault Victims

In Illinois, state Sen. Steven McClure has introduced Senate Bill 98, aiming to implement mandatory one-year expulsions for students found guilty of sexual assault or harassment in schools. The bill stems from a case where a young girl continued to face her assailant at school despite obtaining an emergency protection order. Meanwhile, in Nebraska, state Sen. Danielle Conrad is advocating for Legislative Bill 156, which would allow families to sue school systems for child sexual assaults occurring on school property. This bill is a response to a previous measure vetoed by Gov. Jim Pillen, who argued it would unfairly burden taxpayers and erode sovereign immunity protections. Both Illinois and Nebraska efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need to enhance protections for sexual assault victims within educational environments. As these legislative changes are debated, advocates emphasize the importance of holding institutions accountable for protecting vulnerable students from harm.