Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 20 attorneys general, filed a comment letter in support of the federal government’s proposed rule aimed at strengthening protections against sex discrimination — including sexual violence and harassment — under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (Title IX). Title IX requires schools to provide educational programs and activities free from sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence. In the comment letter, Raoul and the coalition applaud the federal government’s efforts to reverse many of the critical missteps of the 2020 rulemaking that imposed a harmful new process for Title IX sexual violence school proceedings. The comment letter also highlights additional areas for regulatory action under Title IX to help combat sex discrimination in all its forms. In the comment letter, Raoul and the coalition address how the proposed rule:

• Better effectuates Title IX and aligns with congressional intent and longstanding practices.

• Standardizes and codifies definitions and procedures across Title IX enforcement.

• Improves the sexual violence and harassment complaint process for students in colleges and K-12 schools.

• Realigns Title IX’s sexual harassment standards and higher education proceedings to ensure a prompt and equitable resolution process for all students.

• Reinforces critical protection against discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy and parenting status.

• May be further strengthened to help combat sex discrimination in all its forms.