California Assembly Bill AB1344

California 2019-2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/22/19
• Refer: 3/14/19
• Report Pass: 4/2/19
• Refer: 4/3/19
• Report Pass: 4/10/19
• Refer: 4/10/19
• Report Pass: 4/11/19
• Refer: 4/22/19
• Report Pass: 4/24/19
• Refer: 4/24/19
• Refer: 5/15/19
• Report Pass: 5/16/19
• Engrossed: 5/22/19
• Refer: 5/23/19
• Refer: 5/29/19
• Report Pass: 6/25/19
• Refer: 6/25/19
• Report Pass: 7/1/19
• Refer: 7/1/19
• Report Pass: 7/10/19
• Refer: 7/10/19
• Refer: 8/12/19
• Report Pass: 8/30/19
• Enrolled: 9/10/19
• Chaptered: 10/4/19
• Passed: 10/4/19

Caption

Private postsecondary education: California Private Postsecondary Act of 2009.

Impact

The bill mandates that all registered institutions report any adverse state or federal actions against them or controlling entities within the past five years, thereby increasing transparency in their operations. In turn, this provides greater accountability to students, as institutions are required to notify regulatory bodies of any suspect activities, allowing for the possibility of limiting student enrollments pending investigations. The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education is tasked with enforcing these measures, which are intended to safeguard students from potentially hazardous educational environments.

Summary

Assembly Bill No. 1344, also known as the amendments to the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009, aims to enhance regulatory oversight and improve protections for students attending private postsecondary institutions in California. This bill extends certain provisions of the existing act, ensuring that out-of-state institutions must comply with rigorous standards before being authorized to operate in the state. These include requirements for accreditation verification, proof of operational approval, and the submission of various documentation concerning the institution's administrative practices.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding AB 1344 appears largely positive among advocates for student protection and regulatory transparency. Supporters argue that the increased oversight is necessary to combat unscrupulous practices within some private institutions. However, there may be concerns among institutions about the additional regulatory burdens imposed on them, especially regarding the potential to limit enrollments based on the bureau's discretion in response to reported issues.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding AB 1344 stem from the balance between regulatory oversight and operational freedom for educational institutions. While the aim is to protect students, some critics may argue that stringent reporting and compliance requirements could hinder educational access for students seeking to enroll in private institutions. The bill also raises questions regarding the fairness of punitive measures that could result from past conduct not necessarily reflective of current operations.