Improving safety at institutions of higher education while supporting student survivors of sexual assault.

The act title was amended to remove the specific phrase 'student' before 'survivors' and to explicitly include amendments to RCW 70.125.110, broadening the bill's focus from just campus safety to broader survivor rights.

New requirements were added to RCW 70.125.110, ensuring sexual assault survivors have the right to receive medical forensic exams at no cost, access to advocates, timely updates on case status, and the ability to request preservation of their sexual assault kits.

A new enforcement mechanism was added allowing survivors to file a petition in superior court to compel compliance with their statutory rights if those rights are denied.

The definition of 'sexual assault survivor' was expanded to explicitly include lawful representatives (such as parents or guardians) for incapacitated, deceased, or minor victims.

Applicability was broadened from specific named universities to all campuses of institutions of higher education serving 8,000 or more students.

The requirement for education regarding social fraternities and sororities changed from being required before pledging to being required within the quarter or semester the student becomes a member.

Mental health service requirements were adjusted to ensure access to a provider via telehealth or in-person, removing the specific mandate for eight visits with the same provider.

The Title IX investigation timeline was modified to allow for delays based on 'good cause' in addition to extenuating circumstances.

The bill's internal section numbering was reorganized, and the list of amended RCWs was updated to reflect new statutory changes.

The bill's applicability was restricted from all postsecondary institutions serving 8,000+ students to only state universities and regional universities serving 8,000+ students, removing requirements for community colleges and the state college.

All detailed provisions regarding survivor rights, including access to trauma-informed care, specific investigation timelines, supportive measures, and no-fee attorneys, were deleted.

The requirement to establish a new 'student health and safety committee' to evaluate barriers for survivors was removed.

Mandatory training requirements for employees and education requirements for students regarding sexual assault prevention and affirmative consent were deleted.

The ban on institutions pressuring students to sign nondisclosure agreements was removed.

The requirement for institutions to provide online reporting options and tracking tools for Title IX violations was removed.

Specific deadlines for Title IX investigations (e.g., 120 business days) and reporting timelines were removed.

The bill was renumbered from S-0903.4 to S-1941.1 and changed from 'Substitute Bill' to 'Second Substitute Bill'.

The reading date was updated from 02/18/25 to 02/28/25.

The committee sponsorship was changed from 'Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development' to 'Senate Ways & Means'.

The 'AN ACT' description was shortened, removing references to amending RCW 28B.112.040 and 28B.10.147 and creating new sections.

New definitions for terms like 'sex-based and gender-based violence and harassment' and 'sexual misconduct' were removed.