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 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 NRISA 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.”

Full SAHEC Policy Pages

In this issue:

Government Updates

Federal Education

Title IX proposed changes now expected to be released by US Dept. of Education in May according to K-12 Dive
College athletic scholarships may be offered by US military in exchange for service according to Sportico

Federal Health

Federal abortion rights US Supreme Court draft decision released by POLITICO
FDA proposes ban on menthol in cigarettes and cigars according to The Hill
Substance Use National Prevention Week (May 8-14) recognized

Federal Legislation

Colleges that provide abortions federal funding ban bill, “Protecting Life on College Campus Act” (S 2408), adds 3 new cosponsors

State and Local Government

California

California college student health insurance as individual health insurance coverage bill awaiting committee action

Connecticut

Connecticut name, image, and likeness (NIL) college marks and logos usage permitting bill passes the state legislature

Florida

Florida college access for homeless and foster students bill signed into law

Maine

Maine prohibition of discrimination based on hairstyle bill signed into law

Massachusetts

Massachusetts higher education review commission bill passes committee
Massachusetts creating higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities bill created by merging with other bills passes out of committee
Massachusetts college athlete compensation bill created by merging with other bills passes out of committee
Massachusetts hunger-free campus initiative bill, the “Massachusetts Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program,” created by merging with other bills passes out of committee

Michigan

Michigan unsolicited sexual messages misdemeanor establishment bill introduced

Ohio

Ohio college free speech and reform bill signed into law

South Carolina

South Carolina school and college sports participation by sex assigned at birth bill, the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” passes the state house and passes committee in the state senate

Vermont

Vermont telehealth licensure and registration system establishing bill passes the state legislature

Funding

College students who are veterans assistance programs funding available

Education

Colleges’ budget impacts from inflation and labor shortages explored by Higher Ed Dive
College student dropout rates and reasons during COVID-19 pandemic subject of article from NPR affiliate
College and universities reinstating mask mandates amid rising COVID-19 cases according to Study International
College student COVID-19 vaccine mandate ended by University of Cincinnati

Activities

NCAA president Mark Emmert to step down by June 2023 according to ESPN
Transgender college athlete Lia Thomas’ impact on NCAA regulations subject of article by The Chronicle of Higher Education

Health & Wellbeing

College student mental health trends and help-seeking by race/ethnicity findings subject of Healthy Minds study

Full SAHEC Policy Pages

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.