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119-s-2026119th CongressWALLET
Court Legal Access and Student Support Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced
Summary
Removes arbitration clauses from college enrollment agreements. This bill would bar institutions from forcing students into arbitration or other contractual limits that restrict suing over enrollment disputes.
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- Students: Students could bring claims in court alone or with others. They could not be forced to give up a jury trial or limits on venue or applicable law.
- Institutions: Colleges and universities could no longer enforce arbitration or forum-selection clauses in enrollment contracts. The change becomes effective one year after enactment to allow a transition period.
- Scope: Covers any enrollment agreement where a student makes a financial commitment and uses the Higher Education Act definition of an institution of higher education.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More ability for students to sue colleges
If enacted, this bill would take effect one year after enactment. It would make federal arbitration law (Chapter 1 of Title 9) not apply to enrollment agreements between students and institutions of higher education. An "enrollment agreement" would mean any contract where a student makes a financial commitment in exchange for enrollment. Covered colleges and universities would not be allowed to require or enforce any clause that limits a student's ability to bring a claim in court. That ban would include limits on choice of law, jury trials, or venue. Students could sue alone or join with other students in court.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov