California 2015 2015-2016 Regular Session

California Senate Bill SB1192 Introduced / Bill

Filed 02/18/2016

 BILL NUMBER: SB 1192INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Hill FEBRUARY 18, 2016 An act to amend Section 94885 of the Education Code, relating to private postsecondary education. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1192, as introduced, Hill. Private postsecondary education: California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009. Existing law, the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009, provides, among other things, for student protections and regulatory oversight of private postsecondary institutions in the state. The act is enforced by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education within the Department of Consumer Affairs. The act requires, except as provided, institutions covered by the act that offer a degree to receive accreditation by an accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or have an accreditation plan, approved by the bureau, for the institution to become fully accredited within 5 years of the bureau's issuance of a provisional approval to operate to the institution, as specified. This bill would correct an inaccurate cross-reference in that provision relating to accreditation and would make other technical nonsubstantive changes. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 94885 of the Education Code is amended to read: 94885. (a) The bureau shall adopt by regulation minimum operating standards for an institution that shall reasonably ensure that all of the following occur: (1) The content of each educational program can achieve its stated objective. (2) The institution maintains specific written standards for student admissions for each educational program and those standards are related to the particular educational program. (3) The facilities, instructional equipment, and materials are sufficient to enable students to achieve the educational program's goals. (4) The institution maintains a withdrawal policy and provides refunds. (5) The directors, administrators, and faculty are properly qualified. (6) The institution is financially sound and capable of fulfilling its commitments to students. (7) That, upon satisfactory completion of an educational program, the institution gives students a document signifying the degree or diploma awarded. (8) Adequate records and standard transcripts are maintained and are available to students. (9) The institution is maintained and operated in compliance with this chapter and all other applicable ordinances and laws. (b) Except as provided in Section  94855.1,   94885.1,  an institution offering a degree must satisfy one of the following requirements:  (i)   (1)  Accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, with the scope of that accreditation covering the offering of at least one degree program by the institution.  (ii)   (2)  An accreditation plan, approved by the bureau, for the institution to become fully accredited within five years of the bureau's issuance of a provisional approval to operate to the institution. The provisional approval to operate to an unaccredited degree-offering institution shall be in compliance with Section 94885.5.