Bill
Bill > S3538
NJ S3538
NJ S3538Prohibits institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions from withholding transcript due to outstanding student account balance; establishes penalties for noncompliance.
summary
Introduced
01/30/2023
01/30/2023
In Committee
01/30/2023
01/30/2023
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2024
01/08/2024
Introduced Session
2022-2023 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill prohibits institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions licensed to offer academic degrees from withholding a student's transcript due to an outstanding balance on the student's account and establishes penalties for noncompliance. This bill prohibits an institution, due to an outstanding balance on a current or former student's account, from: · refusing to provide a transcript for a current or former student on the grounds that the student owes a debt;· conditioning the provision of a transcript on the payment of a debt, other than a fee charged to provide the transcript;· charging a higher fee for obtaining a transcript, or providing less favorable treatment of a transcript request because a current or former student owes a debt; or· using transcript issuance as a tool for debt collection. The bill further provides that failure by an institution to provide a transcript within 10 business days of the student's request will subject the institution to a penalty of $500 per day for each day of noncompliance.
AI Summary
This bill prohibits institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions from withholding a student's transcript due to an outstanding balance on their account. It also establishes penalties of $500 per day for each day an institution fails to provide a transcript within 10 business days of a student's request. The bill defines "debt" as any money, obligation, or claim owed by a current or former student, excluding the fee charged for providing the transcript. This legislation aims to prevent institutions from using transcript issuance as a debt collection tool and ensure students have timely access to their academic records, even if they have an outstanding balance.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee (on 01/30/2023)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/S3538 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2022/S4000/3538_I1.HTM |
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