SECTION 3.9. Victim Request Not to Investigate

(a) If an alleged victim of an incident of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking reported to a postsecondary educational institution requests the institution not to investigate the alleged incident, the institution may investigate the alleged incident in a manner that complies with the confidentiality requirements under Texas Education Code Section 51.291 and Section 3.17 of this Subchapter. In determining whether to investigate the alleged incident, the institution shall consider:

(1) the seriousness of the alleged incident;

(2) whether the institution has received other reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking committed by the alleged perpetrator or perpetrators;

(3) whether the alleged incident poses a risk of harm to others; and

(4) any other factors the institution determines relevant.

(b) If a postsecondary educational institution decides not to investigate an alleged incident of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking based on the alleged victim's request not to investigate, the institution shall take any reasonable steps the institution determines necessary and consistent with the institution's policy and applicable law to protect the health and safety of the institution's community in relation to the alleged incident.

(c) A postsecondary educational institution shall inform an alleged victim of an incident of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking who requests the institution not to investigate the alleged incident of the institution's decision whether to investigate the alleged incident.

Source Note: The provisions of this §3.9 adopted to be effective January 1, 2020, 45 TexReg 150