Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Higher Education Committee |
SB 5141
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning the regulation of programs of yoga practice or instruction as private vocational schools.
Sponsors: Senators Palumbo and Wilson.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/7/18
Staff: Megan Mulvihill (786-7304).
Background:
The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Board) oversees, licenses, and regulates the state's private vocational schools. A private vocational school that wants to operate in the state needs to obtain a license from the Board. To obtain a license, the private vocational school needs to file an application with the Board, pay a licensure fee, and meet certain requirements, such as:
disclose ownership and financial information;
follow a uniform statewide cancellation and refund policy;
disclose required information to students, including prerequisite requirements;
use an enrollment contract and the Board's required enrollment form;
comply with requirements of the Tuition Recovery Trust Fund;
discuss obligations with potential students; and
comply with requirements related to administrator and instructor qualifications.
Certain entities are exempt from private vocational school licensing requirements, such as those that offer workshops or seminars lasting no more than three days, education that does not require payment if it is not advertised as leading towards an educational credential, and education that is considered avocational or recreational. Avocational or recreational are defined as instruction that is primarily intended for leisure and not to provide a student with employable skills or competencies. Instruction offered as a prerequisite for a vocational program does not qualify for this exemption.
The Board regulates 17 yoga schools who advertise training for a career in yoga instruction. These yoga schools award an endorsement to students based on the number of hours of training and programs taken.
Summary of Bill:
Entities related to the instruction or practice of yoga are exempt from regulation as a private vocational school.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.