This section defines key terms and requires the secretary of state, the Office of Higher Education, and postsecondary institutions to publish or include study abroad safety information and links.
§ Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them. (b) "Postsecondary institution" means an institution that meets the eligibility requirements under section 136A.103 to participate in state financial aid programs. (c) "Program" means a study abroad program offered or approved for credit by a postsecondary institution in which program participants travel outside of the United States in connection with an educational experience. § Subd. 2. MS 2024 [Repealed, 1Sp2025 c 5 art 2 s 63] § Subd. 3.Secretary of state; publication of program information. (a) The secretary of state must publish the reports required by subdivision 2 on its website in a format that facilitates identifying information related to a particular postsecondary institution. (b) The secretary of state shall publish on its website links to the United States Department of State's Consular Information Program which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. The secretary of state shall also publish links to the publicly available reports on sexual assaults and other criminal acts affecting study abroad program participants during program participation. This information shall not be limited to programs subject to this section. § Subd. 4.Office of Higher Education. The secretary of state shall provide the information it posts on its website under subdivision 3 to the Office of Higher Education, in electronic format, at the time it posts the information. The Office of Higher Education shall post the information on its website and may otherwise distribute the information. In materials distributed or posted, the Office of Higher Education must reference this section. § Subd. 5.Program material. A postsecondary institution must include in its written materials provided to prospective program participants a link to the secretary of state website stating that program health and safety information is available at the website.