HB 1439-S2.E - DIGEST
(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Protects students from unfair business practices by regulating the institutions of higher education, including for-profit institutions and private vocational schools.

Provides information on unfair practices for certain schools and institutions, including providing misleading endorsements, using the United States military logo on advertising, and selling consumer student loan products that financially benefit the school or institution.

Requires the student achievement council to: (1) Continue administering the two-part study of for-profit degree-granting institutions and private vocational schools, including findings and recommendations regarding the creation of an ombuds to serve students of degree-granting institutions and private vocational schools, and recommendations on strengthening agencies' abilities to respond to, and protect student consumers from, school closures;

(2) Deny, revoke, or suspend the authorization of a degree-granting institution found to be in violation of chapter 28B.85 RCW;

(3) Establish, maintain, and administer a student achievement council tuition recovery trust fund, to provide relief to students impacted by the voluntary or involuntary closure of schools; and

(4) Along with the workforce training and education coordinating board and the department of licensing, create a single portal for student complaints regarding consumer protection, disclosure, school or program closures, or other violations.

Creates the department of licensing tuition recovery trust fund and requires the director of licensing to maintain and administer the fund to provide relief to students impacted by the voluntary or involuntary closure of schools.