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H.R. 4447 118th Congress House

HARVARD Act

Official title: To direct institutions of higher education to improve transparency with respect to the use of personality traits in admissions, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 30, 2023 See on congress.gov
Education
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This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 30, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Jun 30, 2023
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 30, 2023

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Helping Applicants Receive Valid and Reasonable Decisions Act or the HARVARD Act

This bill requires an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student-aid programs and considers personality traits of applicants in making admission determinations to publicly disclose specified information related to personality traits. Personality traits refer to the patterns of an individual with respect to behaviors, thoughts, and emotions and may include patterns relating to humor, sensitivity, grit, leadership, integrity, helpfulness, courage, and kindness.

Specifically, the IHE must make available on its public website and application materials (1) a statement informing applicants of the use of personality traits in making admission determinations, (2) the rationale for such use of personality traits, (3) a description of the process under which personality traits are considered, and (4) the standards and criteria used for rating personality traits.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 7607 Reintroduction of HARVARD Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4447: HARVARD Act. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-4447/
MLA
"H.R. 4447: HARVARD Act." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-4447/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4447, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-4447/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4447: HARVARD Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-4447/)
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