H.R. 3869 — Introduced in House

I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3869 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 28, 2017Mr. Byrne introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a process for accrediting agencies or associations to seek a waiver of certain accreditation requirements. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Innovation in Accreditation Act. 2. Waivers of certain accreditation requirements Section 496 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b) is amended by adding at the end the following: (r) Waiver The Secretary shall establish a process through which an accrediting agency or association may seek to have a requirement of this subpart waived, if such agency or association— (1) demonstrates that such waiver is necessary to enable an institution of higher education or program accredited by the agency or association to implement innovative practices intended to— (A) reduce administrative burdens to the institution or program without creating costs for the taxpayer; or (B) improve the delivery of services to students, improve instruction or learning outcomes, or otherwise benefit students; and (2) describes the terms and conditions that will be placed upon the institution or program to ensure academic integrity and quality. .