LANSING, Mich. — Five of Michigan's members of Congress are leading the way on a plan to force university leaders to be aware of sexual assault allegations against employees.
The ALERT Act forces leaders to submit an annual report to the Secretary of Education saying they have reviewed all investigations of sexual abuse against employees.
It would apply to all colleges and universities that receive federal funding.
"If they had that in place when Larry Nassar was working at MSU, a lot of things could've been stopped or at least people would've been held accountable," said Larissa Boyce, Larry Nassar survivor.
Nassar was investigated for sexual assault at MSU in 2014.
No criminal charges were filed and he was allowed to keep seeing patients.
Nassar abused dozens more before the story broke in 2016.
Former MSU president Lou Anna K Simon claimed she didn't know about the investigation until then.
The university supported a similar bill passed by the state legislature last year.
Trustee Joel Ferguson told us he supports the federal bill, too.
"It makes sense that there's total communication all the time so I think it's quality legislation," said Ferguson.
"It makes the excuse of 'I didn't know' not an excuse anymore because in leadership, if you are the leader, you need to know what's going on and with your employees in particular," said Rachel Swedburg, sexual assault advocacy coordinator with EVE.
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