2023 -- S 0766
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LC002268
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION – COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCAT ION
Introduced By: Senators Cano, Acosta, Britto, DiPalma, Mack, Burke, Murray, Pearson,
Quezada, and McKenney
Date Introduced: March 23, 2023
Referred To: Senate Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 16-59 of the General Laws entitled "Council on Postsecondary 1
Education [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby 2
amended by adding thereto the following section: 3
16-59-29. Student access to academic transcripts. 4
(a) Institutions of higher education shall not withhold a student’s academic transcripts 5
solely due to that student’s failure to pay any loan payments, fines, fees, tuition, or other expenses 6
owed to the institution, except that a student’s academic credits and grades may be withheld for 7
any course for which that student’s tuition and mandatory course fees are not paid in full. For 8
students paying on a per-semester basis, such an institution may withhold a student’s academic 9
credits or grades for any course taken in a semester for which that student’s tuition and mandatory 10
course fees have not been paid. 11
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an institution of higher education 12
from withholding a student’s diploma or degree due to that student’s failure to pay any loan 13
payments, fines, fees, tuition, or other expenses owed to the institution. 14
(c) The council shall promulgate rules and regulations consistent with this section. 15
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 16
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LC002268
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LC002268 - Page 2 of 2
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION – COUNCIL ON POSTSECON DARY EDUCATION
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This act would prohibit colleges and universities from withholding a student’s transcript 1
due to the student failing to pay any expenses owed to the college or university. The college or 2
university may withhold a student’s academic credits and grades as well as diploma or degree for 3
failure to pay. 4
This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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LC002268
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