Death of Stanford goalie Katie Meyer in 2022 leads to new law in California
A California bill spurred by the death of Katie Meyer, who died by suicide when she was a women's soccer goalie at Stanford in February 2022, has become state law.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Saturday he signed into law Assembly Bill 1575, which requires public colleges and universities to allow students to have an adviser when facing an alleged violation of a student code of conduct.
In order to receive state funds for student financial assistance, the schools must "adopt a policy permitting a student to be assisted by an adviser if the student receives a notification of an alleged violation of ... a student code of conduct."
Meyer’s family, which filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Stanford nine months after Katie's death, said the university provided inadequate support when Katie Meyer faced a disciplinary matter at the time of her death.
The bill was an outgrowth of Katie’s Save, a non-profit established by Meyer’s parents, Steve and Gina, who traveled across the country talking about the initiative they hope will become law in all 50 states.
"The Meyer's family has turned the tragedy of their daughter's passing into a law that will provide protections for other college students," Jacqui Irwin, the state assembly member who authorized the legislation, said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Through the Katie's Save account on X, the Meyer's family wrote in part, "Our public college and university students here in California are now protected under Katie Meyer’s Law. We are so grateful to everyone for your love and support."
Katie Meyer helped lead Stanford to the 2019 national championship and was one of the team’s captains as a senior in 2022. She was waiting to hear back from the university’s law school at the time of her death, which the Meyers say stemmed from the disciplinary issue.
The matter surfaced after school officials determined Meyer may have acted in retaliation when she spilled coffee on a Stanford football player in 2021, according to court records.
The unnamed football player, who suffered burns on his back that required medical attention, had kissed one of Meyer’s teammates without consent a week earlier, according to the school’s records filed with the court.
On Feb. 28, 2022, the night before Meyer’s body was found in her dorm room, she received an email from Stanford informing her that she was facing a disciplinary charge stemming from the spilled coffee. According to a court filing, a five-page letter sent by email explained her degree was going to be placed on hold less than four months from graduation and the charge could result in her removal from the university.
On Nov. 23, 2022, Meyer’s parents filed the wrongful death lawsuit. The two sides have spent the past year in the discovery process and no trial date has been set.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call 988 any time day or night, or chat online. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.
Follow Josh Peter on social media @joshlpeter11
(This story was updated to add new information.)