Bill > SB6082

This bill mandates that the joint legislative audit and review committee, using existing resources, conduct a comprehensive performance audit to assess the extent of fraud within the state's financial aid programs at higher education institutions. The audit will aim to identify the number of fake students enrolled or disenrolled, any patterns in fraudulent enrollments, the total amount of federal, state, and local financial aid provided to these fictitious students and any amounts recovered, and systemic weaknesses that could be exploited, including the use of artificial intelligence. It will also examine any unintended consequences to institutional funding and other relevant issues. The committee is required to report its findings and recommendations, including an analysis of fraud prevention gaps, an evaluation of cybersecurity funding and current anti-fraud efforts by institutions, and suggestions for legislative and regulatory changes, to the legislature by December 1, 2027, with this section of the bill expiring on July 1, 2028.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6082&Year=2025&Initiative=false