§ 20-A §12982 — Adoption of policies and related procedures

1.
Adoption of policy required.
No later than July 1, 2023, each institution of higher education shall adopt a policy and related procedures on sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking, referred to in this section as "the policy," in accordance with this section and consistent with applicable state and federal law. The policy must be publicly available on each institution's campus website and in student handbooks. Notices of where the full policy is available and outreach for victims of sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking must be posted at campus locations where students regularly congregate. The institution shall update the policy on the institution's website annually.
2.
Development of policy.
The policy must reflect the diverse needs of all students and employees and be culturally competent. An institution may consider input from various internal and external entities, including, but not limited to, the institution's Title IX coordinator, a local sexual assault support center, a domestic violence resource center, administrators, personnel affiliated with on-campus and off-campus health care centers, confidential resource advisors, residence life staff, students, local law enforcement agencies and the district attorney having jurisdiction in the municipality where the institution of higher education's primary campus is located.
3.
Content of policy.
The policy must include, but is not limited to:
4.
Adoption of and amendments to the policy.
When adopting or amending a policy, an institution shall provide an opportunity for comment and a reasonable length of time in which comments will be accepted. The institution shall provide the draft policy or proposed substantive amendments by electronic or regular mail to internal and external entities, with instructions on how to comment and the reasonable length of time in which comments will be accepted. Once an institution has adopted a policy, the opportunity for review and comment by internal and external entities applies only to substantive amendments in the policy.
5.
Confidentiality.
The identity of a reporting party and a responding party and all information relating to an incident of sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking are confidential and may not be disclosed by the institution except as necessary to carry out a disciplinary process or as otherwise permitted under state or federal law.

Legislative History

PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).