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WashingtonHB 12792025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Providing postsecondary education consumer protections.

Sponsored By: Gerry Pollet (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Clear marketing and student disclosure rules

Schools and their agents may not use testimonials that mislead about jobs, earnings, aid, or loan repayment. They cannot use official U.S. military logos in ads or push certain loan products that break state law. For‑profit online schools that serve Washington students must clearly show student rights and how to contact the council to file a complaint. “Prospective student” includes Washington residents who applied (even partly) or were solicited, so more people get these protections. The council also publishes warnings and tips to spot and avoid diploma mills.

Tougher state oversight of colleges

The Student Achievement Council sets minimum standards for schools on accreditation, quality, business practices, and finances. You can file a complaint if you lost tuition or were harmed by misrepresentation; the council investigates, may settle, and can hold hearings. If the council wins a case, the school pays hearing costs. The council can deny, suspend, or revoke a school’s authorization for violations. If you are a Washington resident student, the council handles your complaint and keeps enforcement in Washington; it cannot hand these duties to another state.

Protecting online students across states

Beginning July 1, 2028, interstate reciprocity deals cannot weaken Washington student protections or lower bond rules, and they must let the council investigate WA student complaints, including online. These deals must also disclose investigations, suspensions, or provisional statuses to the council and to Washington students. If national rules are not equivalent, the council sets up a state‑run process and manages the transition by July 1, 2028, and it reviews whether to stay in national agreements. The council can sign agreements with otherwise‑exempt WA schools to keep protections consistent across states. It can waive some state rules for schools in reciprocity only if waivers follow federal authorization rules, keep WA able to run federal aid, and still protect Washington students.

Stronger financial backstops if schools fail

The council can require schools to post a surety bond or other security for students. Bonds must be from a WA‑licensed surety, give at least 35 days’ cancellation notice, and cover obligations for one year after cancellation. If a bond is canceled, the council notifies the school and suspends authorization on the cancellation date unless a replacement is filed; it can act sooner to protect student money. If you have a loss, you must file a verified claim within 30 days after notice; the council can demand payment, settle, or sue the surety, and the school must restore security within 10 days after a recovery. Out‑of‑state schools must meet the same bond rules as Washington schools. Recoveries from a surety are capped at the bond’s face amount.

Joint oversight of private vocational schools

The Student Achievement Council must create an agreement with the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to oversee degree‑granting private vocational schools, for both degree and nondegree programs. This coordination improves oversight and student protections.

Some vocational school financials stay private

Certain financial records that private vocational schools give the council can be kept confidential when federal law allows and they are not used for decisions. Records used to decide student aid eligibility, bond levels, or to resolve investigations still must be disclosed.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Mari Leavitt

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 142 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/7/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 94 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/21/2025House

  2. Chapter 82, 2025 Laws.

    4/21/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    4/21/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/15/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/14/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/11/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/11/2025House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/11/2025House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/9/2025House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/8/2025House

  11. WM - Majority; do pass.

    4/7/2025House

  12. Referred to Ways & Means.

    3/24/2025House

  13. And refer to Ways & Means.

    3/20/2025House

  14. HEWD - Majority; do pass.

    3/20/2025House

  15. First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development.

    3/11/2025House

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    3/7/2025House

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/7/2025House

  18. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/7/2025House

  19. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/4/2025House

  20. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/20/2025House

  21. Committee relieved of further consideration.

    2/20/2025House

  22. Referred to Appropriations.

    2/7/2025House

  23. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/4/2025House

  24. PEW - Majority; do pass.

    2/4/2025House

  25. PEW - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/4/2025House

Bill Text

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