The California Senate has passed a bill that would allow community colleges to expel or suspend students who are accused of sexual assault even if the attack happened off campus.

Senators on Monday unanimously passed SB186 by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, a Santa Barbara Democrat.

Jackson says she learned that community colleges can't suspend or expel a student unless the sexual assault happened on campus or at campus-related events. The bill expands the definition of good cause to take disciplinary action.

Republican Sen. Jean Fuller from Bakersfield said she was concerned that one accusation could trigger disciplinary proceedings, denying defendants their due process.

Fuller supported the bill after receiving assurances from Jackson, one of the authors of the "Yes Means Yes" law last year.

The bill will make its way to the Assembly.