Bill > HB382

This bill prohibits accrediting agencies, which are organizations that evaluate and approve educational institutions, from taking negative actions against public colleges and universities in Alabama if those institutions are simply following state laws. It also allows these institutions to sue accrediting agencies if they violate this prohibition. The bill clarifies that public higher education institutions can choose to be accredited by any nationally recognized agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education, and they can also pursue accreditation from other agencies, like the Commission for Public Higher Education, as long as they maintain their accreditation from a U.S. Department of Education-approved agency. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to broaden the definition of "nationally recognized accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education" to include a wider range of accrediting bodies, ensuring that institutions have more flexibility in their accreditation choices while still meeting federal standards. This legislation aims to protect public institutions of higher education from undue pressure from accrediting bodies when complying with state mandates and will take effect on October 1, 2026.

Education

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search