Maryland Governor Wes Moore has directed the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to develop recommendations for strengthening sexual assault policies at colleges and universities across the state.
In an October 14 directive to Maryland Secretary of Higher Education Elena Quiroz-Livanis, Moore ordered the commission to issue comprehensive, actionable recommendations within 90 days. The recommendations must address sexual misconduct policies, reporting procedures, and disciplinary standards at Maryland’s institutions of higher education.
The directive follows recent reports of students outside Maryland coming forward with allegations of sexual assault and concerns about how their institutions responded. Moore also cited a recent U.S. Department of Education Title IX rule that he said rolled back protections for sexual assault victims.
“Our administration’s guiding principle is ensuring the safety and dignity of every Marylander,” Moore said. “We protect our people, and nowhere is that mission more imperative than on our State’s college campuses.”
Under existing Maryland requirements, colleges and universities must adopt written sexual assault policies and submit them to MHEC, which is responsible for periodically reviewing those policies and recommending improvements.
Moore directed the commission to coordinate with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General in developing its recommendations.
The directive took effect October 14, 2026, with recommendations due within 90 days.
The full directive is available here.
