Promotes accountability and provides consumer protection to students and the public by regulating certain degree-granting institutions, private vocational schools, schools under chapter 18.16 RCW (cosmetologists, hair designers, barbers, manicurists, and estheticians), and other for-profit schools.

Recognizes that gainful employment requirements will keep for-profit degree-granting institutions, formerly for-profit degree-granting institutions, and private vocational schools accountable.

Prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

Places duties on the following with regard to this act: The student achievement council, degree-granting institutions, the workforce training and education coordinating board, and the director of the department of licensing.

Creates an ombuds office, which will be housed within the student achievement council, to provide advocacy, support, and assistance to students of for-profit degree-granting institutions, formerly for-profit degree-granting institutions, private vocational schools, and other for-profit schools.

Allows tuition recovery trust funds and surety bonds to be used to address harm created by program closures and violations of the law governing the for-profit degree-granting institutions and private career schools.