Bill > S2026

This bill, known as the Court Legal Access and Student Support (CLASS) Act of 2025, aims to protect students' legal rights when dealing with higher education institutions. The bill prevents colleges from using arbitration agreements in enrollment contracts, which means students would no longer be forced to resolve disputes through private arbitration and would instead have the right to sue institutions in court. Specifically, the bill prohibits the application of Chapter 1 of Title 9 of the United States Code (which governs arbitration agreements) to enrollment agreements between students and higher education institutions. The legislation defines an enrollment agreement as any contract where a student makes a financial commitment to an institution in exchange for enrollment. Additionally, the bill amends the Higher Education Act to explicitly prohibit institutions from requiring students to waive their right to pursue legal claims in court, including restrictions on choosing applicable law, demanding a jury trial, or selecting a venue for legal proceedings. These provisions would take effect one year after the bill's enactment, providing institutions time to adjust their practices to comply with the new requirements.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2026/all-info