Governor Moore Orders Review of Campus Sexual Assault Policies
The Maryland Higher Education Commission must submit policy recommendations within 90 days.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Sex Crimes
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Governor Wes Moore has ordered the Maryland Higher Education Commission to evaluate and improve sexual assault policies across state colleges. This mandate follows a national conversation on campus safety sparked by a high-profile lawsuit involving Cornell University.
Why it matters
The directive aims to establish a consistent framework for handling misconduct claims in Maryland amid shifts in federal Title IX requirements. It follows the recent rescission of previous federal guidelines by the Trump administration.
The Maryland Higher Education Commission reported 476 incidents classified as sexual assault I, with 20 investigations still active as of August 2026. Officials now have 90 days to provide formal policy improvement recommendations.
The players
Wes Moore
Wes Moore is the Governor of Maryland who issued the mandate for a statewide review of campus safety protocols.
Maryland Higher Education Commission
The Maryland Higher Education Commission is the state agency that oversees 49 colleges and private career schools.
Cornell University
Cornell University is the institution where a high-profile sexual assault allegation occurred in October 2024.
The details
The commission, which oversees 202 public and private institutions across the state, will collaborate with the Office of the Attorney General to develop updated standards. This initiative responds to concerns regarding transparency and accountability following a lawsuit where a former Cornell University student alleged she was raped by seven male students in 2024.
Timeline
October 2024: The alleged assault occurred at Cornell University.
August 2026: The Maryland Higher Education Commission issued its misconduct report.
September 2026: The Trump administration rescinded Biden-era Title IX rules.
October 15, 2026: Governor Wes Moore issued the directive for policy review.
Mid-January 2027: Recommendations are expected by the start of the General Assembly session.
Legal Context
The state's move follows the Trump administration's recent rescission of Biden-era Title IX rules, which set previous standards for campus sexual misconduct investigations. This creates a regulatory gap that Maryland is attempting to address through its new statewide policy review.
Students and faculty at the state's 202 higher education institutions can expect potential changes to how campus sexual misconduct is reported and investigated. These reforms are designed to improve safety and clarify the procedures for those impacted by campus violence.
The takeaway
This policy review highlights the critical role state-level oversight plays when federal guidelines for student protection fluctuate. Residents and students should monitor the upcoming legislative session for final policy updates that will reshape campus safety standards.
What happens next
The Maryland Higher Education Commission is required to deliver its formal policy recommendations by mid-January 2027, coinciding with the start of the next General Assembly session.
Further reading
For more information on state safety initiatives, visit the Maryland Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Capital Gazette.
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