Summary#
This bill, called the "Recouping Educational Contributions Linked to Antisemitic Institutional Misconduct Act" or "RECLAIM Act," changes parts of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It makes three main changes:
- It says that when a recipient is found not to follow civil-rights rules for a program or activity, the enforcement can apply to the entire program or activity (not just a part of it).
- It allows agencies to require a recipient to repay any Federal financial assistance given for a program or activity for a fiscal year during which the recipient was found noncompliant. The repayment must be collected as a government claim under existing federal claims procedures (chapter 37 of title 31, U.S. Code).
- It stops agencies from providing Federal financial assistance to a recipient when a court issues an injunction in a case alleging the recipient violated the Civil Rights Act. Agencies must withhold assistance until the court certifies compliance or until one year after the injunction. Agencies must also notify other covered agencies so they also withhold assistance under the same rules.
The bill text names antisemitic institutional misconduct in its short title, but the operative changes amend Title VI enforcement and financial-assistance rules generally as described above.
What it means for you#
- Recipients of Federal financial assistance (for example, educational institutions or other program recipients) could be required to repay funds for years when they are found not to comply with civil-rights requirements.
- A finding of noncompliance can affect an entire program or activity, not just a specific part of it.
- If a court issues an injunction alleging a civil-rights violation, the recipient may lose Federal funding from covered agencies until the court says the recipient complies or until one year passes.
- Students, staff, or program participants at affected institutions could see program-level funding changes or interruptions while repayment or suspension actions occur.
Expenses#
No publicly available information on estimated costs or savings. The bill directs agencies to collect repaid funds following chapter 37 of title 31, U.S. Code, but it does not include a fiscal estimate or detail on administrative costs.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.