Bill > HB2474

This bill strengthens consumer protections for students attending postsecondary education institutions in Washington state by expanding the scope of the student achievement council tuition recovery trust fund and establishing new requirements for institutions that discontinue operations or programs. The tuition recovery trust fund, which is funded by fees from licensed schools, will now be used to provide relief to students not only in cases of school closures but also for any violations of consumer protection requirements outlined in the chapter, ensuring students can receive refunds for tuition and fees paid. Furthermore, if an institution discontinues a program, it must either provide a comparable "teach-out" opportunity for students to complete their studies under the same conditions or arrange a transfer to another accredited institution that meets specific criteria, including not having recent consumer protection law violations; failure to do so will result in a refund of tuition and fees, and any institutional debt owed by affected students will be voided, though these provisions do not apply to certain established degree-granting institutions.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2474&Year=2025&Initiative=false