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Bill

S 2881

An Act protecting students abroad

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sal DiDomenico

States that Massachusetts study abroad programs must publish annual safety reports and implement risk plans to protect participants.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · S 2881

Summary of Bill: S.2881 (Session 194th) – An Act protecting students abroad (Massachusetts)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a framework to enhance health, safety, and security for Massachusetts students participating in study abroad programs sponsored by institutions with a physical presence in Massachusetts.
  • Requires institutions to adopt risk-based planning, transparency, and reporting related to study abroad experiences; creates a mechanism for public accountability and information sharing.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions

    • “Institutions”: Secondary and postsecondary institutions with a Massachusetts location that host or sponsor study abroad programs and require waivers for participants.
    • “Primary program host”: The institution or organization that controls the majority of decisions for a study abroad program (e.g., housing, transportation, trips, emergency response).

  • Health, safety, and security requirements

    • Institutions must prioritize student and faculty health, safety, and security in program development, implementation, and management.
    • Regular risk assessments: At least once every five years, institutions must:
    • Conduct risk assessments for program sites and activities (including lodging).
    • Maintain written emergency plans and destination-specific protocols.
    • Identify authorities and resources to establish statistical reporting of injuries, assaults, or criminal acts involving participants.
    • Availability: Assessments, plans, protocols, and statistics must be available for review by participants or guardians prior to travel.

  • Staff training and student preparation

    • Staff on study abroad trips must be trained to respond to health, safety, and security issues (e.g., first aid, emergency actions).
    • Prior to trips, students must receive training to mitigate risks and be updated on potential health, safety, and security issues at the destination.

  • Reporting obligations (annual)

    • By November 1 each year, institutions must publish a study abroad report on their public website and file it with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
    • The report (electronic form provided by the Department) shall cover the previous academic year (including summer terms) and include:
    • Deaths of participants during program participation.
    • Accidents or illnesses requiring hospitalization.
    • Sexual assaults and crimes against participants (with details; indicate if occurring during participation).
    • Destination country, primary host, and program type.
    • Privacy safeguards: No personal identifying information; any identifying details must be deidentified or aggregated. A disclaimer notes possible underreporting or misrepresentation due to self-reporting.

  • Information dissemination and access

    • The Secretary of the Commonwealth must annually publish on its website:
    • The required reports (from subsection c).
    • Links to U.S. Department of State Consular Information Program and other safety resources; content not limited to programs covered by this section.
    • The Department must receive the posted information in electronic format from the Secretary and then post and distribute it.
    • Institutions must include in prospective participant materials:
    • A link to the institution’s report.
    • A statement that additional program health and safety information is available on the Secretary’s website, with the relevant link.

Who is affected

  • Primary impact: Institutions (secondary and postsecondary) with a physical Massachusetts presence that host or sponsor study abroad programs requiring waivers.
  • Students and families participating in those programs.
  • University/college staff involved in study abroad program development, safety, and emergency response.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Risk assessments, emergency plans, and related protocols must be reviewed at least every five years.
  • Annual reporting cycle:
    • Reports due by November 1 each year.
    • Reports cover the prior academic year and summer terms.
  • Information sharing flow:
    • Institutions report to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
    • The Secretary publishes aggregated safety information and links on its website.
    • The Department (likely the Department of Higher Education) posts related information and distributes it.
  • Public-facing transparency:
    • Institutions must post annual reports on their public websites.
    • Prospective students must be directed to the institution’s report and the Secretary’s safety resources.

Notes

  • The bill emphasizes privacy, with deidentification of personal data and explicit acknowledgment that reports may be underreported due to self-reporting.
  • The measure aims to standardize safety practices across study abroad programs and improve access to safety information for students, families, and the public.

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

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