Campus Transparency and Accountability Act

Campus Transparency and Accountability Act

Section 1: Short Title

This Act may be cited as the "Campus Transparency and Accountability Act."

Section 2: Definitions

1. Secret Society: Any organization, group, or association that operates with a membership structure, rituals, or practices not fully disclosed to the public or outside observers, and which requires members to take oaths or make commitments under conditions of secrecy or duress.

2. Campus: Any property or facility owned, operated, or controlled by a college or university, including but not limited to dormitories, classrooms, and administrative buildings.

3. Off-Campus: Any location not owned, operated, or controlled by a college or university.

Section 3: Prohibition of Secret Societies on Campus

1. General Prohibition: Secret societies shall be prohibited from operating on any college or university campus. This prohibition includes but is not limited to the recruitment of members, the holding of meetings, and the conduct of any activities related to the society.

2. Existing Organizations: Any existing secret society operating on a college or university campus must cease all operations and activities on-campus within 90 days of the enactment of this Act. These organizations must relocate all operations to off-campus locations.

Section 4: Off-Campus Operation

1. Permitted Activities: Secret societies may operate off-campus, provided that all activities comply with local, state, and federal laws, and that all members are consenting adults.

2. Disclosure Requirements: Off-campus secret societies must disclose their existence, membership criteria, and operational structure to the relevant local authorities and ensure that no secret oaths or commitments are made under duress.

Section 5: Coercion and Oaths

1. Prohibition of Coercion: Secret societies must not require members to take life-long oaths or make commitments under conditions of duress or coercion.

2. Consent and Transparency: All membership agreements must be voluntary, with clear and informed consent. Members must be able to withdraw from the organization at any time without facing coercion or undue pressure.

Section 6: Enforcement and Penalties

1. Compliance: Colleges and universities shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with this Act. They must implement policies and procedures to monitor and prevent secret societies from operating on their campuses.

2. Penalties: Violations of this Act by secret societies or educational institutions may result in penalties, including fines or sanctions imposed by relevant educational authorities or government agencies.

3. Reporting: Any individual or entity that believes a violation of this Act has occurred may report it to the appropriate college or university administration or local authorities for investigation.

Section 7: Effective Date

This Act shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment.

Section 8: Severability

If any provision of this Act is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

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This draft law aims to balance the protection of students and institutions from potentially harmful secret societies with the rights of individuals to associate freely outside the academic environment. It emphasizes transparency, consent, and adherence to legal standards.