Colleges in N.J. could be fined for failing to act after campus assaults

Failing to report allegations of sexual assault on campus could be costly for New Jersey colleges.

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora would fine higher-education institutions $10,000 for not taking appropriate action in response to a sexual assault complaint.

“We need to send the college a strong message that when they hear such allegations they should immediately report them to the police so that they are properly investigated,” said Gusciora, D-Mercer.

The bill advanced by an Assembly committee could be amended to increase the penalty to $50,000.

Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin questioned how effective — and costly — that approach might be. She said assessing such fines might increase the college tuition.

“One thing I would wonder is where’s the money going to go and is that penalizing the students who already can’t afford to go to college?” said Pinkin, D-Middlesex.

Gusciora suggested the fines could be directed to a sexual assault-prevention program.