Bill Text: MN SF1975 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: Travel abroad study programs reporting requirements
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-24 - Second reading [SF1975 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-SF1975-Engrossed.html
1.2relating to higher education; regulating travel abroad study programs used for
1.3postsecondary education credit;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
1.4Statutes, chapter 136A.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. [136A.89] STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS.
1.7 Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this
1.8subdivision have the meanings given them.
1.9(b) "Postsecondary institution" means an institution that meets the eligibility
1.10requirements under section 136A.103 to participate in state financial aid programs.
1.11(c) "Program" means a study abroad program offered or approved for credit by a
1.12postsecondary institution in which program participants travel outside of the United States
1.13in connection with an educational experience.
1.14 Subd. 2. Report. (a) A postsecondary institution, must file by November 1 of
1.15each year a report on its programs with the office. The report must contain the following
1.16information from the previous academic year, including summer terms:
1.17(1) deaths of program participants that occurred during program participation as a
1.18result of program participation; and
1.19(2) accidents and illnesses that occurred during program participation as a result of
1.20program participation and that required hospitalization.
1.21Information reported under clause (1) may be supplemented by a brief explanatory
1.22statement.
2.1(b) A postsecondary institution must report to the office annually by November
2.21 whether its program complies with health and safety standards set by the Forum on
2.3Education Abroad or similar study abroad program standard setting agency.
2.4 Subd. 3. Office of Higher Education; publication of program information. (a)
2.5The office must publish the reports required by subdivision 2, on its Web site in a format
2.6that facilitates identifying information related to a particular postsecondary institution.
2.7(b) The office shall publish on its Web site the best available information by country
2.8on sexual assaults and other criminal acts affecting study abroad program participants
2.9during program participation. This information shall not be limited to programs subject
2.10to this section.
2.11 Subd. 4. Program material. A postsecondary institution must include in its written
2.12materials provided to prospective program participants a link to the office Web site stating
2.13that program health and safety information is available at the Web site.
2.14EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective August 1, 2014, provided that the
2.15initial reports under subdivision 2 are due November 1, 2015.
2.16 Sec. 2. STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM; ASSESSMENT OF APPROPRIATE
2.17REGULATION.
2.18The Office of Higher Education shall, using existing staff and budget, assess the
2.19appropriate state regulation of postsecondary study abroad programs. The assessment
2.20must be based on a balanced approach of protecting the health and safety of program
2.21participants and maintaining the opportunity of students to study abroad. The office shall
2.22report the results of its assessment with any legislative recommendation by February 1,
2.232015, to the committees of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher education.
1.3postsecondary education credit;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
1.4Statutes, chapter 136A.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. [136A.89] STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS.
1.7 Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this
1.8subdivision have the meanings given them.
1.9(b) "Postsecondary institution" means an institution that meets the eligibility
1.10requirements under section 136A.103 to participate in state financial aid programs.
1.11(c) "Program" means a study abroad program offered or approved for credit by a
1.12postsecondary institution in which program participants travel outside of the United States
1.13in connection with an educational experience.
1.14 Subd. 2. Report. (a) A postsecondary institution, must file by November 1 of
1.15each year a report on its programs with the office. The report must contain the following
1.16information from the previous academic year, including summer terms:
1.17(1) deaths of program participants that occurred during program participation as a
1.18result of program participation; and
1.19(2) accidents and illnesses that occurred during program participation as a result of
1.20program participation and that required hospitalization.
1.21Information reported under clause (1) may be supplemented by a brief explanatory
1.22statement.
2.1(b) A postsecondary institution must report to the office annually by November
2.21 whether its program complies with health and safety standards set by the Forum on
2.3Education Abroad or similar study abroad program standard setting agency.
2.4 Subd. 3. Office of Higher Education; publication of program information. (a)
2.5The office must publish the reports required by subdivision 2, on its Web site in a format
2.6that facilitates identifying information related to a particular postsecondary institution.
2.7(b) The office shall publish on its Web site the best available information by country
2.8on sexual assaults and other criminal acts affecting study abroad program participants
2.9during program participation. This information shall not be limited to programs subject
2.10to this section.
2.11 Subd. 4. Program material. A postsecondary institution must include in its written
2.12materials provided to prospective program participants a link to the office Web site stating
2.13that program health and safety information is available at the Web site.
2.14EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective August 1, 2014, provided that the
2.15initial reports under subdivision 2 are due November 1, 2015.
2.16 Sec. 2. STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM; ASSESSMENT OF APPROPRIATE
2.17REGULATION.
2.18The Office of Higher Education shall, using existing staff and budget, assess the
2.19appropriate state regulation of postsecondary study abroad programs. The assessment
2.20must be based on a balanced approach of protecting the health and safety of program
2.21participants and maintaining the opportunity of students to study abroad. The office shall
2.22report the results of its assessment with any legislative recommendation by February 1,
2.232015, to the committees of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher education.
