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HD 5604

A communication from the Department of Higher Education (see Section 168E(q) of Chapter 6 of the General Laws) on campus sexual misconduct incident data annual report for calendar years 2024 and 2025

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Massachusetts requires annual campus sexual misconduct data from all colleges and publishes a statewide aggregate report to enhance transparency and accountability.

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Bill Summary · HD 5604

Summary of Bill HD 5604 (Session 194th) — Massachusetts

Purpose and scope

  • This bill concerns the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s (DHE) annual reporting on campus sexual misconduct data, covering calendar years 2024 and 2025 in the related annual report.
  • The reporting requirements stem from the 2021 Campus Sexual Assault Law (Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2020), which established standardized incident data collection and annual aggregate reporting across all institutions of higher education (public and private) in the Commonwealth.

Key provisions and changes

  • The bill references and relies on M.G.L. c. 6, § 168E(q) to require annual submission of campus sexual misconduct incident data by each institution.
  • Institutions must report, for a given calendar year:
    • (i) The total number of reports of sexual misconduct reported to the institution’s Title IX coordinator by a student or employee against another student or employee.
    • (ii) The number of reports made by a student or employee against another student or employee that were investigated by a local or state law enforcement agency (LEA), if known.
    • (iii) The number of students and employees found responsible for violating the institution’s sexual misconduct policies.
    • (iv) The number of students and employees found not responsible.
    • (v) The number of disciplinary actions imposed by the institution as a result of a finding of responsibility.
  • Data must be reported in a form and manner established by DHE, in consultation with the Attorney General, and in compliance with privacy laws.
  • DHE must analyze the data and publish an annual statewide aggregate report on the frequency and nature of sexual misconduct across institutions, and file the report with the Attorney General, the clerks of the Senate and House, and the Joint Committee on Higher Education.
  • The report presents data for the prior calendar year, aligned with Clery Act reporting cadence.
  • The bill specifies data collection and submission window details (EDvera portal open dates and submission deadlines) for the 2024 and 2025 CSVP annual reports, with data periods:
    • 2024 CSVP Annual Report: incidents from January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023; portal opened Nov 1, 2024; due Dec 1, 2024; 110 IHEs submitted.
    • 2025 CSVP Annual Report: incidents from January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024; portal opened Nov 1, 2025; due Dec 1, 2025; 109 IHEs submitted (Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary did not submit in 2025).
  • Data tables required in the reports include:
    • Table 1: Total reports by reporting/responding party (students vs. employees vs. unknown).
    • Table 2: Reports investigated by LEA (by reporting/responding party).
    • Table 3: Found responsible (students vs. employees).
    • Table 4: Disciplinary actions imposed (students vs. employees).
    • Tables 5–8 (for the 2024 calendar year data) provide corresponding breakdowns analogous to Tables 1–4 for the 2024 data, including LEA investigations, findings, and disciplinary actions.
  • The report includes an analysis of the data collection process and a conclusion emphasizing continued implementation improvements, transparency, and coordination among institutions and stakeholders.
  • The bill notes that the annual reporting process has established a baseline and that institutions will continue to submit data for the next cycle (the 2026 CSVP Annual Report), opening November 1, 2026 and due December 1, 2026.

Who is affected

  • All public and private institutions of higher education in Massachusetts authorized to grant degrees (IHEs) are subject to these reporting requirements.
  • The DHE is responsible for collecting, validating, analyzing, and publishing the statewide aggregate data, and for coordinating with institutions, the Attorney General, and the General Court.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Data collection window aligns with the academic/Clery Act cadence: annual reports reflecting the prior calendar year.
  • EDvera reporting portal deadlines: typically open November 1st with a December 1st deadline each year.
  • The 2024 report included data for 2023; the 2025 report included data for 2024.
  • The bill requires the DHE to publish an annual statewide aggregate report and to file the report with designated state officials and committees.
  • A note on submissions: most institutions complied in the reported cycles, with one seminary not submitting in 2025.

Bottom line

  • HD 5604 codifies and clarifies the Massachusetts DHE’s ongoing statutory obligation to collect, analyze, and publish statewide aggregate data on campus sexual misconduct, drawing from annual submissions by all eligible colleges and universities. The bill reinforces transparency, accountability, and consistency in reporting while outlining the procedural steps and timelines for each annual CSVP (Campus Safety & Violence Prevention) report.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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