HLS 14RS-1166 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 433
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARTER
HIGHER ED/BD REGENTS: Authorizes the Board of Regents to enter into interstate
reciprocity agreements relative to online instruction
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:1808(J)(1) and (K) and 3141.15(G) and to enact R.S.2
17:1808(L) and 3141.15(H), relative to reciprocity agreements that provide for3
interstate, online, postsecondary education; to authorize the Board of Regents to4
enter into and administer such agreements; to provide for participation by institutions5
in interstate, online education; to provide for application fees; and to provide for6
related matters.7
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8
Section 1. R.S. 17:1808(J)(1) and (K) and 3141.15(G) are hereby amended and9
reenacted and R.S. 17:1808(L) and 3141.15(H) are hereby enacted to read as follows:10
§1808. Registration and licensure of postsecondary, academic degree-granting11
institutions12
* * *13
J.(1) Each public and independent institution of higher education funded in14
whole or in part through general appropriations of the state of Louisiana in Fiscal15
Year 1992 or which is specifically eligible for funding under the provisions of R.S.16
17:2053(D) or which was a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent17
Colleges and Universities on January 1, 2001, shall be exempt from the provisions18
of this Section except as provided in Subsection K of this Section.19
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K.(1) The Board of Regents may, if it deems such agreements to be1
consistent with the purposes of this Chapter, negotiate and enter into state2
authorization reciprocity agreements that allow accredited postsecondary academic3
degree-granting institutions located in one member state to offer online instruction4
in other member states pursuant to the terms of the reciprocity agreement. The5
Board of Regents shall administer such agreements.6
(2) If the Board of Regents enters into such an agreement, any accredited7
postsecondary academic degree-granting institution located in Louisiana may apply8
to the Board of Regents for authorization to offer online instruction in other member9
states pursuant to the terms of the reciprocity agreement. The Board of Regents may10
approve or disapprove any such application. If the Board of Regents approves an11
application, the period of approval shall not be longer than one year. The Board of12
Regents shall assess an application fee not to exceed one thousand five hundred13
dollars for an initial and each annual application to defray the costs of reviewing and14
evaluating such applications.15
(3) Any accredited postsecondary academic degree-granting institution16
approved by another member state and offering online instruction to Louisiana17
residents shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section, subject to the terms of18
such agreements. 19
L. The provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act shall be applicable20
to any rule or regulation adopted by the Board of Regents pursuant to this Section.21
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§3141.15. Degree granting status23
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G.(1) The Board of Regents may, if it deems such agreements to be25
consistent with the purposes of this Chapter, negotiate and enter into state26
authorization reciprocity agreements that allow accredited degree-granting27
proprietary schools located in one member state to offer online instruction in other28 HLS 14RS-1166 ORIGINAL
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member states pursuant to the terms of the reciprocity agreement. The Board of1
Regents shall administer such agreements.2
(2) If the Board of Regents enters into such an agreement, any accredited3
degree-granting proprietary schools located in Louisiana and licensed by the Board4
of Regents pursuant to this Chapter may apply to the Board of Regents for5
authorization to offer online instruction in other member states pursuant to the terms6
of the reciprocity agreement. The Board of Regents may approve or disapprove any7
such application. If the Board of Regents approves an application, the period of8
approval shall not be longer than one year. The Board of Regents shall assess an9
application fee not to exceed one thousand five hundred dollars for an initial and10
each annual application to defray the costs of reviewing and evaluating such11
applications.12
(3) Any accredited, degree-granting proprietary school approved by another13
member state and offering online instruction to Louisiana residents shall be exempt14
from the provisions of this Chapter, subject to the terms of such agreements.15
H. Nothing herein shall impair the right of private colleges to award degrees.16
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not17
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature18
by the governor, as provided in Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If19
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become20
effective on the day following such approval.21
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Carter HB No. 433
Abstract: Authorizes the Board of Regents to enter interstate agreements that would provide
for interstate, online, postsecondary education; provides for application and
application fee for La. institutions wishing to offer such instruction in other states
pursuant to the agreement.
Present law provides for licensure by the Board of Regents of postsecondary, academic
degree-granting institutions in order to ensure that the instruction at such institutions meets HLS 14RS-1166 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 433
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are additions.
minimal academic and physical plant standards. Provides for licensure of proprietary
schools, which are schools that are operated as a business enterprise. Provides details with
respect to such licensure.
Proposed law authorizes the Board of Regents to enter into state authorization reciprocity
agreements that allow proprietary schools and accredited academic degree-granting
institutions located in one member state to offer online instruction in other member states
pursuant to the terms of the reciprocity agreement. Provides that if the Board of Regents
enters into such an agreement, such institutions or proprietary schools located in La. may
apply to the Board of Regents for authorization to offer online instruction in other member
states pursuant to the terms of the reciprocity agreement. Requires annual reapplication and
authorizes the Board of Regents to assess an application fee of up to $1,500. Provides that
institutions and proprietary schools in other states offering online instruction to La. residents
are exempt from present law licensure requirements, subject to the terms of such agreements.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:1808(J)(1) and (K) and 3141.15(G); Adds R.S. 17:1808(L) and
3141.15(H))