SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2285

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

              Higher Education, February 15, 1996

Title:  An act relating to student consumer protection.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions for degree granting institutions.

Sponsors:  Representatives Mastin and Carlson; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/15/96 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Bauer, Chair; Kohl, Vice Chair; Hale, McAuliffe, Prince, Wood and Zarelli.

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

Background:  All degree-granting institutions must have authorization from the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) to operate and to grant degrees.  Over time exemptions have been allowed for such things as branch campuses, long-time established independent institutions in Washington, and institutions accredited by an accrediting association.  With the guidance of the Attorney General, the HECB established a number of criteria in addition to the accrediting association recognition.  However, the Attorney General ruled that the additional criteria are not valid without a change in statute.

Summary of Bill:  The HECB may adopt additional criteria and is not required to grant a waiver from the degree-granting process based solely on its recognition by an accrediting association.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  None requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill allows the HECB to protect students from "degree mill" type institutions.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Susan Patrick, HECB; Linda Broderick, WA Federation of Private Career Schools and Colleges.