Bill > HR2516

This bill, titled the "Accreditation for College Excellence Act of 2025," amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prevent "political litmus tests" from being used in the accreditation of colleges and universities. Accreditation is a process by which an independent agency or association evaluates and verifies that an institution of higher education meets certain quality standards, which is crucial for students to be eligible for federal financial aid. The bill specifically prohibits accrediting bodies from requiring, encouraging, or coercing institutions to support or oppose particular political, ideological, or social viewpoints, or to discriminate against individuals based on protected classes, unless required by federal law or court order. However, it includes an exception allowing religious institutions to maintain their religious missions, adhere to statements of faith, or follow codes of conduct consistent with their religious tenets, and also permits them to require oaths to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that institutions complying with their accreditor's standards related to the core requirements for federal aid eligibility will meet those requirements, regardless of any additional standards the accreditor might impose for other purposes. A rule of construction is included to ensure that this act does not prevent religious accreditors from enforcing their own religious standards on institutions they choose to accredit.

Education

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2516/all-info