1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; regulating travel abroad study programs used for 
1.3 	postsecondary education credit;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota 
1.4 	Statutes, chapter 136A.
1.5 	BE 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 
1.8 	subdivision have the meanings given them.
1.9 	(b) "Postsecondary institution" means an institution that meets the eligibility 
1.10 	requirements 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 
1.12 	postsecondary institution in which program participants travel outside of the United States 
1.13 	in connection with an educational experience.
1.14 		Subd. 2.Report. (a) A postsecondary institution, must file by November 1 of 
1.15 	each year a report on its programs with the office. The report must contain the following 
1.16 	information from the previous academic year, including summer terms:
1.17 	(1) deaths of program participants that occurred during program participation as a 
1.18 	result of program participation; and
1.19 	(2) accidents and illnesses that occurred during program participation as a result of 
1.20 	program participation and that required hospitalization.
1.21 	Information reported under clause (1) may be supplemented by a brief explanatory 
1.22 	statement.
2.1 	(b) A postsecondary institution must report to the office annually by November 
2.2 	1 whether its program complies with health and safety standards set by the Forum on 
2.3 	Education Abroad or similar study abroad program standard setting agency.
2.4 		Subd. 3.Office of Higher Education; publication of program information. (a) 
2.5 	The office must publish the reports required by subdivision 2, on its Web site in a format 
2.6 	that 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 
2.8 	on sexual assaults and other criminal acts affecting study abroad program participants 
2.9 	during program participation. This information shall not be limited to programs subject 
2.10 	to this section.
2.11 		Subd. 4.Program material. A postsecondary institution must include in its written 
2.12 	materials provided to prospective program participants a link to the office Web site stating 
2.13 	that program health and safety information is available at the Web site.

2.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2014, provided that the 
2.15 	initial reports under subdivision 2 are due November 1, 2015.

2.16 	Sec. 2. STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM; ASSESSMENT OF APPROPRIATE 
2.17 	REGULATION.
 2.18 	The Office of Higher Education shall, using existing staff and budget, assess the 
2.19 	appropriate state regulation of postsecondary study abroad programs. The assessment 
2.20 	must be based on a balanced approach of protecting the health and safety of program 
2.21 	participants and maintaining the opportunity of students to study abroad. The office shall 
2.22 	report the results of its assessment with any legislative recommendation by February 1, 
2.23 	2015, to the committees of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher education.