High School Student, Tyler Hill, Died on a People to People Student Ambassador Program to Japan.

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The U.S. Department of State is requesting public comments on proposed changes and clarifications to rules governing secondary school exchange programs. These changes would apply only to foreign students visiting this country. We believe they serve the best interests of students and host families alike. We also believe the State Department should move quickly to initiate similar and even stronger protections for U.S. students and young people participating in 'ambassador' and other similar programs abroad. Please use these links to read the proposed changes and submit your own comments by the end of the day on Wednesday, June 2, 2010.

There are many ways you can step up to support the Traveling Youth's Standards of Safety bill (TY's S.O.S.) and help ensure the safety of students traveling abroad:

Proposed Bill

Tyler’s family has proposed the T-Hill Safety Standards Bill to ensure safety protocols will be put in place to protect the thousands of children who participate in People to People student ambassador programs – and other similar travel programs – each year.

PURPOSE
To protect ‘all’ students (U S citizens and foreigners) and children who are entrusted to third parties, especially during travel within the United States and Internationally.

PEOPLE
Students of any age, preschool through college entrusted to the care of 3rd parties, especially during remote travel.

PROBLEM
No safety standards exist to protect children’s health and safety rights while entrusted to third parties, especially during travel programs. Children have been denied health care, died, hurt, abandoned, sick and killed.

There are no criteria for the selection of Leaders entrusted to the care for children.
There is no mandated protocol for communication between the parents and the child, or the parents and the leaders; or a safety net for the child to call for help if a situation demands it.
There is no protocol for reporting abuse, accidents, injuries and deaths.

PAYOFF
Our most valuable assets, our children, will be able to travel safely, work towards international understanding, religious and racial tolerance and create peace, SAFELY.