Federal and state policy and legislative updates

NIRSA’s Government Affairs Committee stays up-to-date on the latest federal and state policy and legislative news through a variety of scanning tools. One particular resource they use is the bi-weekly Policy Pages provided by Active Policy Solutions. (For more on this partnership, along with other SAHEC associations, have with Active Policy Solutions, see below.)

The policy issues included in the Policy Pages document are highlights of a point in time. They are by no means exhaustive and change continually – so matters discussed in the last issue normally will not carry over to the next unless there is some updated action to be discussed.

The Committee encourages NIRSA members to keep themselves informed on federal and state policy issues affecting their work as professionals on campuses. These issues could be specific to higher education, physical activity, or NIRSA’s strategic value areas. If you have an issue that is of concern to your campus, reach out the Government Affairs Committee.

Policy Page documents will be stored, as a resource for NIRSA members, in the NIRSA Connect Community library. You can find them within the “Member Benefits” folder in a subfolder titled “Federal and State Policy Pages.”

In this issue:

Government Updates

Federal Budget

• Budget/stimulus update

Federal Education

• College dorm outbreak response guidance from CDC lacking , according to some experts
• Title IX assistance document released by the U.S. Department of Education
• Title IX sexual harassment rule touted by House Republicans
• Title IX trans student-athletic decision by the U.S. Department of Education implications explored
• University of California – Berkeley fined for Clery violations
• S. Department of Education to implement free speech rules for colleges

Federal Health

• COVID-19 employee leave rule revised by the U.S. Department of Labor after federal court loss
• COVID-19 assistance document for workplace questions released by U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Funding

• S. Department of Education CARES college funding distribution update, from Politico
• S. Department of Education CARES Act college financial aid rule blocked in Massachusetts
• College funding opportunity announced by the U.S. Department of Education

State and Local Government News

• State legislatures act to limit COVID-19-related liability

California

• California college sexual harassment rules and procedures bill passed by state legislature and sent to the governor
• California youth football head injury evaluating and removing by medical professional clarifying bill signed into law
• California college education bill passed by state legislature and sent to the governor

Michigan

• Michigan COVID-19 liability bill introduced

Nebraska

• Nebraska high school student required to complete federal student aid application bill returned by governor without approval

North Carolina

• North Carolina Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 bill signed into law

Ohio

• Ohio COVID-19 civil action immunity bill introduced
• Ohio school athletic activity allowing family to attend bill introduced

Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania school athletic activity allowing family to attend bill introduced
• Pennsylvania school sports during COVID-19 bill passed by state legislature and sent to the governor

Vermont

• Vermont state budget, including state college funding, received initial approval from state house

Virginia

• Virginia COVID-19 civil action immunity bill introduced

Education

• Return to college updates
• Universities cannot use privacy laws to withhold data on COVID-19 outbreaks according to the Washington Post

Other News

• Return to activities updates
• College athletes’ heart condition linked to COVID-19 found in 4 of 26 tested at Ohio State
• No current evidence shows COVID-19 spreads in gyms according to a study
• NCAA to furlough its entire staff
• NCAA creates expanded COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group
• Consistent gains for women coaching women’s sports according to research
• University of Nevada athletes voice concerns over mental health, nutrition, and Title IX
• College mental health needs rise with COVID-19 pandemic
• Olympic athlete loses appeal over restriction of testosterone levels
• NCAA cost sharing rules have disproportionately benefited White students and coaches according to a study

About NIRSA’s partnership with Active Policy Solutions

As an association, NIRSA strives to monitor and track policy and legislative issues with the potential to impact our members or the campus communities they serve. These issues are wide ranging and may pertain to higher education, employment law, physical fitness, or our strategic values areas.

NIRSA has joined with a subset of SAHEC members (ACUHO-I, ACPA, ASCA, NASPA, and NIRSA) in hiring Active Policy Solutions to assist with monitoring, tracking, analyzing, and determining appropriate action on issues relevant to our associations. Through our partnership with SAHEC, NIRSA continues to monitor policy, legislation, and advocacy work that affects both the higher education and physical activity space. Active Policy Solutions provides government relations and advocacy support to NIRSA and the Association’s SAHEC partners.