Inside Higher Ed: Who Will Stand With All Jane Does?

October 8. 2026

Inside Higher Ed quoted ERA in an editorial about the Cornell Seven case, citing ERA-sponsored California bill AB 1928, signed into law earlier this month.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed the Campus Counsel and Care Act, a law that will allow both parties in a complaint to have a support person—such as a family member or a friend—as well as an adviser, typically a lawyer, accompany them through all stages of the grievance process. Previous state law required colleges to allow either a support person or an adviser to accompany the students. Under current federal regulations, students are guaranteed only an adviser.

“Although California campuses could allow survivors to be accompanied by both a support person and an advisor, too many permit only one,” Equal Rights Advocates, a co-sponsor of the bill, said. “This unnecessarily puts victims of sexual violence in the impossible position of having to choose between someone who can help them navigate the process and someone who can bring them comfort as they relive the trauma they have experienced.”

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