Bill > S2979

This bill aims to address sexual violence on higher education campuses in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring institutions of higher education to conduct a sexual misconduct climate survey of all students at least once every 4 years to gather data on reported and unreported incidents, student awareness of policies, and perceptions of campus safety. 2. Establishing a task force to develop model survey questions and recommendations for the content, timing, and application of the surveys. 3. Requiring institutions to adopt policies on sexual misconduct that align with best practices and include procedures for reporting, accessing resources and support services, and the investigation and adjudication process. 4. Mandating that institutions enter into memorandums of understanding with local law enforcement agencies to establish roles and responsibilities related to sexual misconduct. 5. Appointing a campus safety advisor within the Department of Higher Education to coordinate and disseminate best practices and resources to enhance campus safety. 6. Requiring institutions to provide mandatory sexual misconduct prevention and awareness programming for new students and employees. 7. Mandating that individuals involved in the disciplinary process for sexual misconduct complaints receive specialized training. 8. Requiring annual reporting by institutions to the Department of Higher Education on the number of sexual misconduct allegations, findings of responsibility, and disciplinary actions.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Higher Education (J), Senate Committee on Ways and Means (S)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2979