HB406: Higher education; students and student organizations, remedies for certain violations.

HOUSE BILL NO. 406

Offered January 12, 2022
Prefiled January 11, 2022
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 23.1-401.3, relating to higher education; students and student organizations; remedies for certain violations.
Patron-- Freitas

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 23.1-401.3 as follows:

§ 23.1-401.3. Students and student organizations; remedies for certain violations.

Any student or student organization aggrieved by a violation of § 23.1-400, 23.1-401, 23.1-401.1, or 23.1-401.2 by a public institution of higher education or any employee of such institution acting in his official capacity may (i) bring a cause of action against such institution or employee for appropriate relief, including injunctive relief, monetary damages, reasonable attorney fees, and court costs; (ii) assert such violation as a defense or counterclaim in any disciplinary action or civil or administrative proceeding brought against such student or student organization; and (iii) pursue any other remedy available to such student or student organization.