H.R. 8476: No Antisemitism in Education Act of 2026

This bill, titled the No Antisemitism in Education Act of 2026, aims to address and combat antisemitism within educational institutions that receive federal funding. The primary provisions of the bill are as follows:

Purpose

The bill requires that local educational agencies and institutions of higher education treat any form of discrimination motivated by antisemitism with the same seriousness and rigor as they treat other forms of discrimination that are banned under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This includes discrimination perpetrated by students, employees, or institutional policies.

Findings

The bill outlines several findings concerning antisemitism in the United States:

• Antisemitism is reported to be a significant issue, especially in educational settings, with a large portion of religiously motivated hate crimes targeting Jewish individuals.
• A considerable number of Jewish college students have reported experiencing antisemitic incidents or feelings of exclusion on campuses.
• Previous reports indicate failures by universities to effectively enforce their policies against antisemitism, and evidence of double standards in how discrimination is handled.

Requirements for Educational Institutions

General Requirement

In order to receive federal financial assistance, educational institutions must:

• Commit to treating antisemitic discrimination as vigorously as they treat other forms of discrimination outlined in Title VI.
• Utilize a specified definition of antisemitism when investigating and addressing complaints of discrimination.

Enforcement

The enforcement of these provisions will rely on any mechanism available under Section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ensuring that institutions comply with the new requirements.

Protection of Rights

The bill clarifies that its provisions will not infringe upon rights protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or preempt state antidiscrimination laws.

Definitions

Key definitions provided in the bill include:

• Antisemitism: Defined as in Executive Order 13899, including various contemporary examples of antisemitism.
• Institution of higher education: Defined according to the Higher Education Act of 1965.
• Local educational agency: Defined as per the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

Relevant Companies

• None found