(a) This section does not apply to an institution of higher education that does not have an athletic program or administer athletic activities.
(b) (1) On or before October 1, 2019, each institution of higher education shall develop and adopt a written policy for receiving and addressing student concerns about the institution’s athletic programs and activities that includes:
(i) A process through which students can share concerns about the institution’s athletic programs and activities with the institution’s administration, including senior officials within the administration who are not directly involved with the management of athletic programs or activities;
(ii) An option for students to submit their concerns confidentially; and
(iii) A prohibition on retaliating or discriminating against students who share their concerns under the policy.
(2) An institution of higher education may make changes to the policy if the changes meet the requirements of this section.
(c) Each institution of higher education shall:
(1) Post the policy and any changes to the policy on the institution’s website; and
(2) Ensure that each student who participates in the institution’s athletic programs or activities has a copy of the policy and any changes to the policy.
(d) Each institution of higher education shall submit to the Commission and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Appropriations Committee:
(1) On or before October 1, 2019, the written policy adopted in accordance with subsection (b)(1) of this section; and
(2) Any changes to the policy.
(e) (1) On or before July 1, 2020, and each July 1 thereafter, each institution of higher education shall report to the Commission on the number of students who shared concerns under the institution’s policy during the immediately preceding fiscal year.
(2) On or before August 1, 2020, and each August 1 thereafter, the Commission shall report, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Appropriations Committee a summary of the submissions under paragraph (1) of this subsection.