| Chapter 431 |
| 2016 -- H 7865 Enacted 07/12/2016 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO EDUCATION - ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUG USE AMNESTY FOR REPORTERS OF VIOLENCE AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION |
| Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, Fogarty, Naughton, Blazejewski, and Costa |
| Date Introduced: March 04, 2016 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended |
| by adding thereto the following chapter: |
| CHAPTER 76.2 |
| ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUG USE AMNESTY FOR REPORTERS OF INCIDENTS OF |
| VIOLENCE AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION |
| 16-76.2-1. "Incident of violence" defined. -- As used in this chapter, the term "incident |
| of violence" shall include any event or occurrence where any person abuses or causes physical |
| injury to another person, or threatens to abuse or to cause physical injury to another person. |
| Incidents of violence shall include, but not be limited to, domestic violence, dating violence, |
| stalking, and sexual assault. |
| 16-76.2-2. Policies for drug/alcohol amnesty for individuals reporting incidents of |
| violence. -- (a) Every institution of higher education in the state shall adopt and implement the |
| following policy as part of its code of conduct: |
| "The health and safety of every student at the (name of institution) is of utmost |
| importance. (Name of institution) recognizes that students who have been drinking and/or using |
| drugs (whether such use is voluntary or involuntary) at the time that an incident of violence |
| occurs, including, but not limited to, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual |
| assault may be hesitant to report such incidents due to fear of potential consequences for their |
| own conduct. (Name of institution) strongly encourages students to report incidents of violence to |
| institution officials. A bystander acting in good faith, or a reporting individual acting in good |
| faith, who discloses any incident of violence to (name of institution)'s officials or law |
| enforcement will not be subject to (name of institution)'s code of conduct action for violations of |
| alcohol- and/or drug-use policies occurring at or near the time of the commission of the incident |
| of violence." |
| (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit an institution's ability to provide |
| amnesty in additional circumstances. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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| LC004744 |
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