Education

HB 5426 requires all state institutions of higher education to allow students to bring an advisor or support person of their choice to disciplinary meetings starting July 1, 2026. This directly affects students facing disciplinary actions at public colleges and universities, ensuring they can have support during these proceedings. The policy must be adopted by August 1, 2026, with two key conditions: the advisor cannot delay the meeting, and for sexual assault, stalking, or intimate partner violence cases, existing state policies (Section 10a-55m) override this rule if they differ. The bill does not change disciplinary outcomes but mandates institutional policy changes to provide student support.