Concerns pastoral care regulations could penalise people for helping students

Changes were proposed after the body of Canterbury student Mason Pendrous lay undiscovered in his room for up to a month.

Institutes could face 100-thousand-dollar fines if a student is seriously harmed or dies.

The Association of Tertiary Education Accommodation Providers have shared their thoughts with MPs.

One executive member says when he refers people to mental health services as a precaution - the bill would define that as a serious harm incident.

And he worries it will wrongly make the hall look unsafe.