Higher Education Accreditation Accountability Act
Sponsored By: Representative Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would tighten federal rules to ensure stricter oversight of accrediting agencies and create a formal, public process for colleges that want to change their primary accrediting agency. It raises the bar for who can seek recognition and adds time limits and documentation requirements to keep oversight active.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New rules for changing accreditors
If enacted, a school would have to apply to the Secretary before changing its main accreditor. The application would have to include current and proposed accreditors, the accreditation end date, reasons for the change, recent accreditation determination letters, visiting-team reports from the last three years, and any pending student complaints or state or local investigations. The Secretary would publish a Federal Register notice and allow at least 30 days for public comment. The Secretary would deny changes if the school lost accreditation or was on probation, show-cause, or suspension in the prior 24 months. The Secretary would decide within 90 days after the comment period or within 180 days if extended. If a school changed accreditors without approval, the Secretary would not recognize that accreditation. These rules would take effect after the law is enacted.
Stricter rules for accreditors
If enacted, accrediting agencies would need to have accredited at least one school or program for the two years before applying. They would have to be legally established where they seek recognition and have enforceable standards. The Secretary could give initial recognition for up to 3 years and later recognitions for up to 5 years. During initial recognition, agencies would have to give the Department all documents about any new program or school they accredit. NACIQI could not consider an application until the Secretary found the agency met the rules. These rules would take effect after the law is enacted.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
CA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov