,,ii  #aai? ,,congress  #b;d ,session   
,s4 #ejec  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,july #ba1 #bjbf,ms4   
,w>r5 7= h]self & ,mr4 ,durb97 introduc$
 ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice &      
ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,heal?1       
,education1 ,labor1 & ,p5sions  ,a      
,,bill  ,to am5d ! ,high] ,education    
,act ( #aife to provide = accr$itation  
re=m1 & = o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title
 ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,accr$itation
 ,re=m & ,enhanc$ ,acc\ntability ,act ( 
#bjbf4  #b4 ,purpose ,! purpose ( ?is   
,act is to improve ! effectiv5ess (     
recogniz$ accr$itation z an eligibility 
requirem5t = ,f$]al education fund+ & to
 increase ! acc\ntability ( in/itutions 
( high] education = /ud5t outcomes4  #c4
 ,recognition ( accr$it+ ag5cy or       
association ,section #dif ( ! ,high]    
,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4  
#ajii;b7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection   
7g7-- 7,a7 9 ! subsection head+1 by     
/rik+ ,limitation on2  7,b7 by /rik+    
,no?+ 9 ?is section %all be con/ru$ to  

p]mit ! ,secret>y to e/abli% any crit]ia
 t specifies1 def9es1 or prescribes !   
/&>ds t accr$it+ ag5cies or associations
 %all use to assess any in/itution's    
success ) respect to /ud5t a*ievem5t42 &
  7,c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 ,no?+ 
9 ?is section %all prohibit ! ,secret>y 
f e/abli%+ regulations reg>d+ ! crit]ia 
= accr$it+ ag5cies or associations t are
 requir$ "u ?is section1 includ+ crit]ia
 or /&>ds ) respect to /ud5t a*ievem5t1 
or f e/abli%+ diff]5tiat$ recognition   
processes = accr$it+ ag5cies or         
associations4 ,no?+ 9 ?is section %all  
be con/ru$ to p]mit ! ,secret>y to      
e/abli% any regulation t limits !       
academic fre$om ( an in/itution ( high] 
education1 su* z any crit]ion t         
specifies1 def9es1 or prescribes /&>ds  
on curriculum1 faculty1 or in/ructional 
res\rces42 &  7#b7 9 subsection 7o71 by 
/rik+ ,not)/&+ any o!r provision ( law1 
! ,secret>y %all n promulgate any       
regulation ) respect to ! /&>ds ( an    
accr$itation ag5cy or association       

describ$ 9 subsection 7a77#e744  #d4    
,accr$itation /&>ds ,section #dif7;a7 ( 
! ,high] ,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj   
,u4,s4,c4 #ajii;b7a77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 
! matt] prec$+ p>agraph 7#a71 by /rik+ (
 /ud5t a*ievem5t & ins]t+ = !           
effectiv5ess ( accr$it+ ag5cies or      
associations2  7#b7 9 p>agraph          
7#d77;,a71 by /rik+ ! /at$ objective =  
:i* ! c\rses or ! programs are (f]$ &   
ins]t+ ! objectives = :i* c\rses or     
programs ( ?is type are (f]$2 &  7#c7 9 
p>agraph 7#e7-- 7,a7 9 ! matt] prec$+   
subp>agraph 7,a71 by /rik+ ! /&>ds =    
accr$itation ( ! ag5cy or association   
assess ! in/itution's & ins]t+ ! /&>ds =
 accr$itation ( ! ag5cy or association  
e/abli% b5*m>ks = ! measures & data     
def9itions e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y 7z   
describ$ 9 subsection 7r77 ) respect to 
su* /&>ds & assess & make accr$itation  
det]m9ations bas$ on ! in/itution's2    
7,b7 by /rik+ subp>agraph 7,a7 & ins]t+ 
! foll[+3  7,a7 outcomes & success )    
respect to /ud5t a*ievem5t 9 relation to

 ! in/itution's mission1 accord+ to !   
li/ ( measures & data def9itions        
e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y1 & data provid$ 
by ! ,secret>y to accr$it+ ag5cies or   
associations2  2  7,c7 9 subp>agraph    
7,i71 by ins]t+ & any actions tak5 aga9/
 ! in/itution by any ,/ate or ! ,f$]al  
,gov]nm5t1 includ+ ongo+ inve/igations1 
lawsuits t h surviv$ motions to dismiss1
 settlem5ts1 or any judgm5ts aga9/ !    
in/itution 9 a ,/ate or ,f$]al c\rt     
relat+ to fraud1 fiscal misconduct1 or  
deceptive practices1 aft] ! ag5cy or    
association2  7,d7 by /rik+ subp>agraph 
7,j7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3  7,j7 record (  
compliance ) its program                
responsibilities "u ?is title bas$ on   
in=mation ! ,secret>y may provide to !  
ag5cy or association2 &  2 &  7,e7 9 !  
flu% matt] at ! end1 by /rik+           
subp>agraphs 7,a71 7,h71 & 7,j7 & ins]t+
 subp>agraphs 7,h7 & 7,j74  #e4         
,measures = /ud5t a*ievem5t ,section    
#dif ( ! ,high] ,education ,act ( #aife 
7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajii;b7 is am5d$ by add+

 at ! end ! foll[+3  7r7 ,measures =    
/ud5t a*ievem5t  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 ord]  
to be recogniz$ by ! ,secret>y z a      
reliable au?ority z to ! quality (      
education or tra9+ (f]$ by an in/itution
 ( high] education seek+ to p>ticipate 9
 ! programs au?oriz$ "u ?is title or = !
 purpose ( p>ticipation 9 o!r programs  
adm9i/]$ by ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,education or 
o!r ,f$]al ag5cies requir+ approval1 an 
accr$it+ ag5cy or association %all set  
basel9e ?re%olds on measures & data     
def9itions e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y &    
require t ea* in/itution ( high]        
education or program subject to its     
jurisdiction meet or exce$ ! basel9e    
?re%olds = ! /ud5t a*ievem5t measures   
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b71 9 ord] to     
rema9 accr$it$ by ! ag5cy or            
association4  7#b7 ,/ud5t a*ievem5t     
measures ,! ,secret>y %all e/abli% /ud5t
 a*ievem5t measures = use by accr$it+   
ag5cies & associations "u p>agraph 7#a71
 su* z measures ( academic progression1 
loan repaym5t outcomes1 po/-college     

e>n+s1 & debt relative to e>n+s1 or any 
o!r measure1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y   
?r\gh regulation1 develop$ 9            
consultation ) ! ,commission] ( !       
,national ,c5t] = ,education ,/ati/ics4 
7#c7 ,data def9itions ,! ,secret>y %all1
 ?r\gh regulations1 e/abli% data        
def9itions = ea* ( ! /ud5t a*ievem5t    
measures describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 9     
relation to ! in/itution's mission4     
7#d7 ,/ud5t a*ievem5t data ,! ,secret>y 
%all annually provide ! necess>y        
in/itutional or programmatic /ud5t      
a*ievem5t data to accr$it+ ag5cies &    
associations to c>ry out ?is subsection4
  7#e7 ,review ( /ud5t a*ievem5t /&>ds  
,to assess an accr$it+ ag5cy or         
association's effectiv5ess 9 sett+      
b5*m>ks "u subsection 7a77#e71 !        
,secret>y %all1 dur+ ! recognition      
process1 select n few] ?an #aj ( !      
in/itutions or programs approv$ by !    
accr$it+ ag5cy or association & review !
 b5*m>ks e/abli%$ by ! ag5cy or         
association = su* in/itutions or        

programs1 _! p]=mance on /&>ds1 & any   
action tak5 by ! accr$it+ ag5cy )       
respect to ! in/itution's or program's  
compliance on /ud5t a*ievem5t4  7#f7    
,rule ( con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is         
subsection %all be con/ru$ z prohibit+  
an accr$it+ ag5cy or association f      
assess+ in/itutions ( high] education or
 programs beyond :at is requir$ by ?is  
subsection1 or 9 subsection             
7a77#e77;,a71 = ! purposes ( cont9u\s   
in/itutional or programmatic improvem5t4
  4  #f4 ,accr$itation reviews ,section 
#dif ( ! ,high] ,education ,act ( #aife 
7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajii;b71 z am5d$ by     
section #e1 is fur!r am5d$ by add+ at ! 
end ! foll[+3  7s7 ,accr$itation reviews
  7#a7 ,/&>d reviews ,9 ord] to be      
recogniz$ by ! ,secret>y z a reliable   
au?ority z to ! quality ( education or  
tra9+ (f]$ by an in/itution ( high]     
education seek+ to p>ticipate 9 !       
programs au?oriz$ "u ?is title or a     
program seek+ to p>ticipate 9 ano!r     
,f$]al program requir+ approval1 an     

accr$it+ ag5cy or association %all--    
7,a7 require t ea* in/itution ( high]   
education or program subject to its     
jurisdiction und]go a /&>d accr$itation 
review at regul> int]vals z det]m9$ by !
 ag5cy or association1 & be=e ! ag5cy or
 association fir/ provides accr$itation 
to su* in/itution or program2 &  7,b7   
conduct ! /&>d accr$itation review &    
make accr$itation det]m9ations bas$ on !
 /&>ds describ$ 9 subsection 7a77#e74   
7#b7 ,enhanc$ accr$itation reviews  7,a7
 ,9 g5]al ,9 ord] to be recogniz$ by !  
,secret>y z a reliable au?ority z to !  
quality ( education or tra9+ (f]$ by an 
in/itution ( high] education seek+ to   
p>ticipate 9 ! programs au?oriz$ "u ?is 
title or = ! purpose ( p>ticipation 9   
o!r programs adm9i/]$ by ! ,dep>tm5t (  
,education or o!r ,f$]al ag5cies requir+
 approval1 an accr$it+ ag5cy or         
association %all c>ry out an enhanc$    
accr$itation review ( an in/itution (   
high] education or program subject to   
its jurisdiction-- 7i7 imm$iately aft] !

 ag5cy or association le>ns-- 7,i7 t !  
in/itution is ! subject ( an            
inve/igation1 settlem5t1 or adv]se      
judgm5t by a ,f$]al au?ority 7o!r ?an ! 
,dep>tm5t7 or a ,/ate = a violation     
relat+ to fraud1 fiscal misconduct1 or  
deceptive practices at ! in/itution2 or 
7,,ii7 ( any o!r situation or factor    
requir$ by ! ,secret>y ?r\gh regulations
 promulgat$ "u ?is section t relate to !
 /ud5t a*ievem5t measures describ$ 9    
subsection 7r72  7ii7 if ! ag5cy or     
association has reason to believe t !   
in/itution is fail+ to meet its program 
responsibilities "u ?is title or is     
engag$ 9 fraud1 fiscal misconduct1 or   
deceptive practices at ! in/itution2 or 
7iii7 at any o!r "t ! ag5cy or          
association det]m9es necess>y1 z outl9$ 
9 ! ag5cy or association's /&>ds4  7,b7 
,cont5t ( an enhanc$ accr$itation review
 ,= ea* enhanc$ accr$itation review     
requir$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7-- 7i7 !     
accr$it+ ag5cy or association may       
consid] any ( ! factors t x consid]s    

dur+ a /&>d accr$itation review2  7ii7 !
 accr$it+ ag5cy or association %all--   
7,i7 inve/igate ! issue t trigg]$ !     
enhanc$ accr$itation review2 &  7,,ii7  
det]m9e if ! accr$itation ( ! in/itution
 or program %\ld be )drawn or susp5d$1  
or if ! in/itution or program %\ld be   
plac$ on a cont9u\s improvem5t plan1 or 
if any o!r action %\ld be tak52 &  7iii7
 ! in/itution or program %all be requir$
 to make additional disclosures1 relat$ 
to ! det]m9ation ( ! enhanc$            
accr$itation review1 to ! /ud5ts att5d+ 
! in/itution & to ! public1 su* z writt5
 notification :5 ! in/itution or program
 receives an accr$it$ ) risk designation
 & transf] options available = ! /ud5t  
to cont9ue _! education else:]e f !     
in/itution's tea*-out plan4  7,c7       
,review report+ requirem5ts  7i7 ,9     
g5]al ,an accr$it+ ag5cy or association 
t conducts an enhanc$ accr$itation      
review "u ?is p>agraph %all1 n lat] ?an 
#cj days aft] ! conclusion ( ! review1  
make available to ! public on ! ag5cy or

 association's website & submit to !    
,secret>y1 ! appropriate ,/ate lic5s+ or
 au?oriz+ ag5cy1 & ! appropriate ,/ate  
,attorney ,g5]al-- 7,i7 :5 ! ag5cy or   
association initiates ! enhanc$         
accr$itation review & ! reason =        
conduct+ ! enhanc$ accr$itation review2 
7,,ii7 at ! conclusion ( ! enhanc$      
accr$itation review1 ! in=mation obta9$ 
by ! ag5cy or association z "p ( !      
enhanc$ accr$itation review1 includ+ !  
in/itution or program's p]=mance on !   
/ud5t a*ievem5t measures1 to ! ext5t    
requir$ by ! ,secret>y ?r\gh regulations
 promulgat$ "u ?is section2 &  7,,iii7  
at ! conclusion ( ! enhanc$ accr$itation
 review1 ! outcome ( ! enhanc$          
accr$itation review & an explanation ( !
 reasons = any actions tak5 z a result (
 ! enhanc$ accr$itation review4  7ii7   
,report ,! ,secret>y %all submit an     
annual report to ! au?oriz+ committees1 
! ,committee on ,appropriations ( !     
,s5ate1 & ! ,committee on               
,appropriations ( ! ,h\se (             

,repres5tatives t summ>izes all reports 
( enhanc$ accr$itation reviews receiv$  
"u ?is p>agraph4  4  #g4 ,accr$itation  
ag5cy action ,section #dif ( ! ,high]   
,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4  
#ajii;b71 z am5d$ by sections #e & #f1  
is fur!r am5d$ by add+ at ! end !       
foll[+3  7t7 ,accr$itation ag5cy action 
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 ord] to be recogniz$ by
 ! ,secret>y z a reliable au?ority z to 
! quality ( education or tra9+ (f]$ by  
an in/itution ( high] education seek+ to
 p>ticipate 9 ! programs au?oriz$ "u ?is
 title1 an accr$it+ ag5cy or association
 %all agree to take action1 z describ$ 9
 p>agraph 7#b71 ) respect to an         
in/itution ( high] education subject to 
its jurisdiction if any ( ! foll[+      
occur3 7,a7 ,*ange 9 own]%ip ( !        
in/itution t includes a conv]sion f     
propriet>y to nonpr(it or public        
control4  7,b7 ,rapid *ange 9 size (    
/ud5t population at ! in/itution1 z     
def9$ by ! ,secret>y 9 regulations      
promulgat$ "u ?is section4  7,c7 ,any   

notification by ! ,secret>y to ! ag5cy  
or association ( poor f9ancial heal?1   
includ+-- 7i7 a l[]+ 9 ! cr$it rat+     
provid$ to ! in/itution by a cr$it rat+ 
ag5cy 7z def9$ 9 section #c7;a7 ( !     
,securities ,ex*ange ,act ( #aicd 7#ae  
,u4,s4,c4 #gh;c7a7772 &  7ii7 any o!r   
indicator ( f9ancial weakness z def9$ by
 ! ,secret>y1 :i* may include height5$  
ca% monitor+ or ! requirem5t to po/ a   
lett] ( cr$it4  7,d7 ,any o!r ev5t      
det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y4  7,e7 ,any o!r  
ev5t det]m9$ by ! accr$it+ ag5cy or     
association4  7#b7 ,actions ,! actions t
 may be tak5 by an accr$it+ ag5cy or    
association "u ?is p>agraph are !       
foll[+3 7,a7 ,an enhanc$ accr$itation   
review4  7,b7 ,=mal accr$it+ action tak5
 by ! ag5cy or association1 su* z a     
compliance assessm5t or ! imposition (  
=mal conditions on accr$itation t may   
occur sep>ate f ! /&>d accr$itation     
reviews4  7,c7 ,a =mal reque/ =         
additional in=mation4  7,d7 ,a          
recomm5dation t ! in/itution c>efully   

monitor & report to ! accr$it+ ag5cy or 
association factors relat+ to ! ev5t    
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a71 or put into   
place appropriate controls or improvem5t
 /rategies relat+ to su* ev5t4  7,e7    
,o!r actions det]m9$ appropriate by !   
accr$it+ ag5cy or association4  4  #h4  
,op]at+ proc$ures  7a7 ,notification    
,section #dif7;a77#g7 ( ! ,high]        
,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4  
#ajii;b7a77#g77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+
 ! ,secret>y & ! appropriate ,/ate      
lic5s+ or au?oriz+ ag5cy )9 #cj days &  
ins]t+ ! ,secret>y1 ! appropriate ,/ate 
lic5s+ or au?oriz+ ag5cy1 & !           
appropriate ,/ate ,attorney ,g5]al1 )9  
#cj days2 &  7#b7 by /rik+ adv]se &     
ins]t+ negative4  7b7 ,availability to !
 public ,section #dif7;c7 ( ! ,high]    
,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4  
#ajii;b7c77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph  
7#g7-- 7,a7 9 ! matt] prec$+ subp>agraph
 7,a71 by /rik+ makes available to !    
public & ! ,/ate lic5s+ or au?oriz+     
ag5cy1 & submits to ! ,secret>y1 a      

summ>y ( ag5cy or association actions & 
ins]t+ makes available to ! public on ! 
ag5cy or association's website & submits
 to ! ,secret>y 7:o %all submit to !    
,committee on ,heal?1 ,education1       
,labor1 & ,p5sions & ! ,committee on    
,appropriations ( ! ,s5ate & !          
,committee on ,education & ,work=ce & ! 
,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,h\se 
( ,repres5tatives71 ! appropriate ,/ate 
lic5s+ or au?oriz+ ag5cy1 & !           
appropriate ,/ate ,attorney ,g5]al1 &   
o!r relevant ag5cies1 :i* may include ! 
,bureau ( ,consum] ,f9ancial            
,protection1 ! ,f$]al ,trade            
,commission1 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,def5se1 & ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ,vet]ans ,affairs1 z        
appropriate1 a summ>y ( & ju/ification =
 ! f9al decision issu$ to ! in/itution  
reg>d+ ea* accr$itation action2 &  7,b7 
9 subp>agraph 7,c71 by /rik+ adv]se     
action tak5 ) respect to an in/itution  
or placem5t on probation ( an in/itution
 & ins]t+ negative action tak51 includ+ 
an ord] to %[ cause1 ) respect to an    

in/itution or program1 or placem5t on   
probation ( an in/itution or program2   
7#b7 9 p>agraph 7#h71 by /rik+ & aft] ! 
semicolon2 &  7#c7 by add+ at ! end !   
foll[+3  7#aj7 turns ov] to ! ,secret>y 
all accr$itation docum5ts ( an          
in/itution t closes2 &  4  #i4 ,conflict
 ( int]e/ ,section #dif7;a7 ( ! ,high]  
,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4  
#ajii;b7a77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph  
7#g71 by /rik+ & aft] ! semicolon2  7#b7
 9 p>agraph 7#h71 by /rik+ ! p]iod at ! 
end & ins]t+ 2 &2 &  7#c7 by add+ at !  
end ! foll[+3  7#i7 su* ag5cy or        
association prohibits an individual--   
7,a7 f p>ticipat+ 9 any review or       
decision-mak+ role 9 any "p ( ! ag5cy's 
or association's accr$itation process1  
includ+ s]vice on ! ag5cy's or          
association's commission or gov]n+ bo>d 
& review+ or decid+ on accr$itation     
policies or ! accr$itation /atus (      
in/itutions or programs1 if !           
individual1 or a family memb] ( !       
individual 7z def9$ by ! ,secret>y7--   

7i7 is an adm9i/rative (fic] ( an       
in/itution ( high] education accr$it$ by
 or seek+ accr$itation f su* ag5cy or   
association2  7ii7 has a f9ancial /ake 9
 any in/itution ( high] education 7o!r  
?an z an employee71 includ+ z an        
inve/or1 bondhold]1 cr$itor1 v5dor1 or  
contractor2  7iii7 has a fiduci>y       
responsibility to an in/itution ( high] 
education accr$it$ by or seek+          
accr$itation f su* ag5cy or association2
  7iv7 is a f$]ally regi/]$ lobbyi/2    
7v7 is ineligible to p>ticipate "u      
regulations prescrib$ by ! ,secret>y    
bas$ on affiliation ) an in/itution t   
has a hi/ory ( adm9i/rative or legal    
action br\ght on behalf ( /ud5ts or     
taxpay]s1 or t curr5tly faces su*       
action1 or t clos$ )\t provid+ equitable
 treatm5t ( /ud5ts2 or  7vi7 is a =m]   
executive lead] f an accr$it+ ag5cy or  
association t lo/ recognition "u ?is    
section2 &  7,b7 f p>ticipat+ 9 any     
review or decision-mak+ role 9 any "p ( 
! ag5cy's or association's accr$itation 

process ) respect to a p>ticul>         
in/itution or program1 if ! individual1 
or a family memb] ( ! individual 7z     
def9$ by ! ,secret>y71 is an employee or
 0 an employee 9 ! prec$+ #c ye>s ( !   
in/itution or program4  4  #aj4         
,accr$itation ag5cy acc\ntability  7a7  
,9 g5]al ,section #dif ( ! ,high]       
,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4  
#ajii;b7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection   
7l77#a7-- 7,a7 9 subp>agraph 7,a71 by   
/rik+ or aft] ! semicolon2  7,b7 9      
subp>agraph 7,b77ii71 by /rik+ ! p]iod  
at ! end & ins]t+ 2 or2 &  7,c7 by add+ 
at ! end ! foll[+3  7,c7 impose a f9e if
 ! ag5cy or association fail$ to notify 
! ,secret>y :5 ! ag5cy or association _h
 reason to believe an in/itution ( high]
 education 0 fail+ to meet its program  
responsibilities "u ?is title or 0      
engag$ 9 fraud1 fiscal misconduct1 or   
deceptive practices at ! in/itution1 or 
fail$ to take action "u subsection      
7t77#b7 = su* an in/itution4  2 &  7#b7 
9 subsection 7n7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph      

7#c7-- 7i7 9 ! fir/ s5t5ce1 by ins]t+ or
 any in/itution t ! ag5cy or association
 accr$its be=e ! p]iod at ! end2 &  7ii7
 by ins]t+ aft] ! fir/ s5t5ce ! foll[+3 
,! ,secret>y %all conduct a             
p]=mance-bas$ review & make a holi/ic   
judgm5t reg>d+ :e!r ! accr$it+ ag5cy or 
association is a reliable au?ority on ! 
quality ( po/second>y education1 includ+
 ! quality ( ! ag5cy's or association's 
processes to accurately assess outcomes 
& success ) respect to /ud5t a*ievem5t (
 ! in/itutions ! ag5cy or association   
accr$its to deliv] a quality education  
consi/5t ) ! missions ( ! in/itutions1 &
 ! effectiv5ess1 timel9ess1 & consi/5cy 
( ! accr$it+ ag5cy or association 9     
address+ ! /&>ds 9 subsection 7a742 &   
7,b7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7#e7   
7,a7 ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] a f9d+ by
 a ,f$]al or ,/ate ag5cy or c\rt ( law t
 an in/itution ( high] education has    
violat$ a ,f$]al or ,/ate law relat$ to 
fraud1 fiscal misconduct1 or deceptive  
practices at ! in/itution ( high]       

education1 be5 ! subject ( a settlem5t  
or lawsuit t has surviv$ a motion to    
dismiss by a ,/ate or ,f$]al entity     
relat$ to fraud1 fiscal misconduct1 or  
deceptive practices1 or fil$ =          
bankruptcy1 ! ,secret>y %all c>ry out ! 
foll[+3 7i7 ,initiate a review ( !      
accr$it+ ag5cy or association t accr$it$
 ! in/itution to det]m9e if ! accr$it+  
ag5cy or association fail$ to           
effectively apply ! crit]ia 9 ?is       
section1 or is o!rwise n 9 compliance ) 
! requirem5ts ( ?is section1 &1 if !    
accr$it+ ag5cy or association is n 9    
compliance1 %all initiate action        
pursuant to subsection 7l7 to take any  
or all ( ! foll[+ actions3 7,i7 ,limit1 
susp5d1 or t]m9ate recognition ( ! ag5cy
 or association4  7,,ii7 ,require !     
ag5cy or association to take appropriate
 action4  7,,iii7 ,impose a f9e =       
noncompliance4  7ii7 ,make publicly     
available ! initiation ( ! review &     
outcome4  7,b7 ,! ,(fice ( ,inspector   
,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t %all review1 once e

 #c ye>s1 ! ,secret>y's actions "u ?is  
subsection1 along ) f9d+s by ! ,secret>y
 & provide recomm5dations on appropriate
 f9es or actions 7includ+ )draw+        
approval or recognition ( ! accr$it+    
ag5cy or association7 aga9/ an accr$it+ 
ag5cy or association sanction$ "u ?is   
section to ! ,secret>y & appropriate    
,dep>tm5t /aff4  7,c7 ,! ,(fice (       
,inspector ,g5]al ( ! ,dep>tm5t %all    
provide a report t is made available to 
! public & provide a copy to ! ,national
 ,advisory ,committee on ,in/itutional  
,quality & ,integrity1 ! ,committee on  
,heal?1 ,education1 ,labor1 & ,p5sions (
 ! ,s5ate1 & ! ,committee on ,education 
& ,work=ce ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives  
on ! review "u subp>agraph 7,b74  7,d7  
,any monet>y p5alty or paym5t assess$ by
 an accr$it+ ag5cy or association on    
in/itutions ( high] education subject to
 ! jurisdiction ( ! ag5cy or association
 z a result ( a f9e impos$ "u ?is       
p>agraph %all be assess$ equally to ea* 
in/itution subject to ! jurisdiction ( !

 ag5cy or association4  4  #aa4 ,cr$it  
transf] agreem5t ,section #dif7;c7 ( !  
,high] ,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj     
,u4,s4,c4 #ajii;b7c771 z am5d$ by       
section #h7;b71 is fur!r am5d$ by add+  
at ! end ! foll[+3  7#aa7 7,a7 n lat]   
?an #d ye>s aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( !  
,accr$itation ,re=m & ,enhanc$          
,acc\ntability ,act ( #bjbf1 requires t 
ea* in/itution subject to ! jurisdiction
 ( ! ag5cy or association h a cr$it     
transf] agreem5t ) all o!r in/itutions  
accr$it$ by ! ag5cy or association t    
provides = ! transf] ( cr$it e>n$ = all 
g5]al education c\rses & = c\rses       
requir$ z "p ( sub/antially simil>      
programs2 &  7,b7 confirms1 z a "p ( !  
accr$itation or reaccr$itation review   
conduct$ by ! ag5cy or association1 t ! 
in/itution has transf] ( cr$it policies 
t-- 7i7 meet ! requirem5ts ( subp>agraph
 7,a72  7ii7 are publicly disclos$2 &   
7iii7 include a /atem5t ( ! crit]ia     
e/abli%$ by ! in/itution reg>d+ !       
transf] ( cr$it e>n$ at ano!r in/itution

 ( high] education4  4  #ab4            
,accr$itation disclosure  7a7           
,accr$itation disclosure sy/em ,"p ,g ( 
title ,,iv ( ! ,high] ,education ,act ( 
#aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhh et seq47 is  
am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3        
#did;,a4 ,accr$itation disclosure sy/em 
7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ah mon?s aft] 
! date ( enactm5t ( ! ,accr$itation     
,re=m & ,enhanc$ ,acc\ntability ,act (  
#bjbf1 ! ,secret>y %all design & e/abli%
 /&>ds = /&>diz$ onl9e accr$itation     
disclosures by in/itutions ( high]      
education t p>ticipate 9 any program "u 
?is title4 ,! ,secret>y %all require ea*
 su* in/itution ( high] education to--  
7#a7 display1 prom95tly on !            
in/itution's website1 a /&>d =m (       
disclosure ( ! in/itution's accr$itation
 /atus1 design$ by ! ,secret>y1 includ+ 
:e!r ! /atus is "u appeal2  7#b7        
regul>ly update su* display z its       
accr$itation /atus *anges2 &  7#c7      
include a l9k f su* display1 includ+ on 
! homepage ( ! in/itution's website1 to 

any applicable support+ public          
docum5tation relat+ to ! in/itution's   
accr$itation /atus1 includ+             
correspond5ce to & f ! accr$it+ ag5cy or
 association4  7b7 ,accr$itation        
t]m9ology ,! ,secret>y %all e/abli% by  
regulation common def9itions = ! v>i\s  
accr$itation /atuses & actions tak5 by  
accr$it+ ag5cies & associations1 = use  
by su* ag5cies & associations 9 all     
public docum5ts & report+ to !          
,secret>y1 ,/ate lic5s+ or au?oriz+     
ag5cy1 & ,/ate ,attorneys ,g5]al4  7c7  
,coord9ation ,9 develop+ ! sy/em        
describ$ 9 subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y  
%all consult ) ! ,committee on ,heal?1  
,education1 ,labor1 & ,p5sions ( !      
,s5ate & ! ,committee on ,education &   
,work=ce ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1   
o!r ,f$]al ag5cies1 /ud5t & consum]     
advocacy gr\ps1 in/itutions ( high]     
education1 accr$it+ ag5cies &           
associations1 & o!r entities det]m9$    
appropriate by ! ,secret>y4  7d7        
,accr$itation /atus ,9 ?is section1 !   

t]m accr$itation /atus means-- 7#a7 !   
issuance ( any ord] to %[ cause2  7#b7 !
 initiation ( an enhanc$ accr$itation   
review "u ?is ,act & any action tak5 z a
 result ( su* review2  7#c7 any action  
tak5 pursuant to section #dif7t77#b72   
7#d7 any o!r action tak5 by an accr$it+ 
ag5cy or association1 z describ$ 9      
subp>agraph 7,a71 7,b71 or 7,c7 (       
section #dif7;c77#h72 &  7#e7 any o!r   
factor det]m9$ appropriate by !         
,secret>y ?r\gh regulation4  7e7        
,transp>5cy ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] !   
date ( enactm5t ( ! ,accr$itation ,re=m 
& ,enhanc$ ,acc\ntability ,act ( #bjbf1 
! ,secret>y %all collect f accr$it+     
ag5cies & associations & publi% on a    
f$]ally ma9ta9$ website all f9al        
docum5ts produc$ 9 ! ag5cies' &         
associations' reviews ( in/itutions (   
high] education1 includ+ site visit     
reports1 decision lett]s1 a li/ ( memb]s
 ( ! review committees1 & all o!r f9al  
docum5ts t ! ,secret>y det]m9es         
appropriate4  4  7b7 ,program           

p>ticipation agreem5t ,section #dhg7;a7 
( ! ,high] ,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj 
,u4,s4,c4 #ajid7;a77 is am5d$ by add+ at
 ! end ! foll[+3  7#cj7 ,n lat] ?an #c  
ye>s aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( !         
,accr$itation ,re=m & ,enhanc$          
,acc\ntability ,act ( #bjbf1 !          
in/itution w use1 prom95tly on !        
in/itution's website1 ! /&>diz$ onl9e   
accr$itation disclosure sy/em e/abli%$  
by ! ,secret>y "u section #did;,a to--  
7,a7 disclose ! accr$itation /atus ( !  
in/itution2 &  7,b7 update ! disclosure 
)9 #dh h\rs ( receiv+ notification f an 
accr$it+ ag5cy or association ( a *ange 
9 accr$itation /atus4  4  #ac4          
,diff]5tiat$ accr$itation /atus ,section
 #dif ( ! ,high] ,education ,act ( #aife
 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajii;b71 z am5d$ by    
sections #e1 #f1 & #g1 is fur!r am5d$ by
 add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7u7           
,diff]5tiat$ accr$itation /atus  7#a7 ,9
 g5]al ,solely = purposes ( consum]     
in=mation1 an accr$it+ ag5cy or         
association may designate an in/itution 

( high] education or program t ! ag5cy  
or association accr$its z accr$it$ )    
di/9ction or accr$it$ ) risk accord+ to 
def9itions develop$ by ! ,secret>y "u   
p>agraph 7#b74  7#b7 ,designation       
def9itions ,! ,secret>y1 ?r\gh          
regulation1 %all develop def9itions (   
accr$it$ ) di/9ction & accr$it$ ) risk t
 an accr$it+ ag5cy or association %all  
use 9 mak+ designations "u p>agraph 7#a7
 bas$ on /ud5t a*ievem5t /&>ds develop$ 
9 accordance ) subsection 7a77#e77;,a7 9
 relation to ! in/itution ( high]       
education's mission4  4  #ad4 ,tea*-out 
agreem5ts & plans ,section #dif7;c7 ( ! 
,high] ,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj     
,u4,s4,c4 #ajii;b7c771 z am5d$ by       
sections #h & #aa1 is fur!r am5d$-- 7#a7
 by /rik+ p>agraph 7#c7 & ins]t+ !      
foll[+3  7#c7 7,a7 requires an          
in/itution to submit = approval to !    
accr$it+ ag5cy or association a tea*-out
 agreem5t if-- 7i7 ! accr$it+ ag5cy or  
association acts to )draw1 t]m9ate1 or  
susp5d ! accr$itation ( ! in/itution2   

7ii7 ! accr$it+ ag5cy or association    
requires ! in/itution to %[ cause =     
cont9u$ accr$itation2 or  7iii7 !       
in/itution notifies ! accr$it+ ag5cy or 
association t ! in/itution int5ds to    
cease op]ations2  7,b7 requires an      
in/itution to-- 7i7 submit = approval to
 ! accr$it+ ag5cy or association a      
tea*-out plan n lat] ?an #cj days aft] !
 date-- 7,i7 ! ,dep>tm5t notifies !     
accr$it+ ag5cy or association ( an      
action aga9/ ! in/itution pursuant to   
section #dhg7;f72  7,,ii7 ! accr$it+    
ag5cy or association places ! in/itution
 on probation or %[ cause1 or notifies !
 in/itution t ! ag5cy or association    
deems x a high-risk in/itution2  7,,iii7
 ! in/itution is requir$ to po/ a ,lett]
 ( ,cr$it to ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,education2  
7,,iv7 ! in/itution is plac$ on         
,height5$ ,ca% ,monitor+ #b2  7,v7 !    
in/itution receives a fail+ ,f9ancial   
,responsibility ,composite ,score2      
7,,vi7 ! in/itution is subject to an    
enhanc$ accr$itation review "u          

subsection 7s77#b72 or  7,,vii7 !       
in/itution is at risk "u regulations    
prescrib$ by ! ,secret>y = ?is purpose2 
&  7ii7 regul>ly update & ma9ta9 !      
tea*-out plan until su* "t z ! ,secret>y
 det]m9es2 &  7,c7 does n approve a     
tea*-out agreem5t or plan t includes a  
plan = ! p>ticipation ( any in/itution (
 high] education t is ! subject ( an    
inve/igation1 settlem5t1 or adv]se      
judgm5t by a ,f$]al au?ority 7includ+ ! 
,dep>tm5t7 or a ,/ate = a violation     
relat+ to fraud1 fiscal misconduct1 or  
deceptive practices at ! in/itution2  2 
7#b7 by r$esignat+ p>agraphs 7#d7 ?r\gh 
7#aa7 z p>agraphs 7#e7 ?r\gh 7#ab71     
respectively2 &  7#c7 by ins]t+ aft]    
p>agraph 7#c7 ! foll[+3  7#d7 ) respect 
to private in/itutions1 ensures t       
suffici5t funds h be51 or w be1 allocat$
 to c>ry out all tea*-out plans &       
agreem5ts requir$ "u p>agraph 7#c72  4  
#ae4 ,jurisdiction ,section #dif ( !    
,high] ,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj     
,u4,s4,c4 #ajii;b71 z am5d$ by sections 

#e1 #f1 #g1 & #ac1 is fur!r am5d$ by    
add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7v7            
,jurisdiction ,not)/&+ any o!r provision
 ( law1 any civil action br\ght by any  
p>ty reg>d+ ?is section or implem5t+    
regulations1 or an in/itution ( high]   
education seek+ accr$itation f1 or      
accr$it$ by1 an accr$it+ ag5cy or       
association recogniz$ by ! ,secret>y = !
 purpose ( ?is title & involv+ ! d5ial1 
)drawal1 or t]m9ation ( accr$itation ( !
 in/itution ( high] education1 %all be  
br\ght 9 ! appropriate ,unit$ ,/ates    
di/rict c\rt4  4  #af4 ,*ange (         
accr$itor ,section #dif7;h7 ( ! ,high]  
,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4  
#ajii;b7h77 is am5d$ to read z foll[s3  
7h7 ,*ange ( accr$it+ ag5cy or          
association  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y 
%all n recognize ! accr$itation ( any   
o!rwise eligible in/itution ( high]     
education t is 9 ! process ( *ang+ its  
accr$it+ ag5cy or association1 includ+  
due to a *ange 9 own]%ip ( ! in/itution1
 unless-- 7,a7 ! in/itution submits =   

approval to ! ,secret>y all mat]ials    
relat+ to ! prior accr$itation1 includ+ 
mat]ials t ! ,secret>y det]m9es         
demon/rate reasonable cause = *ang+ !   
accr$it+ ag5cy or association2  7,b7 !  
prior accr$it+ ag5cy or association     
confirms to ! ,secret>y t x has no      
active actions1 inve/igations1 or       
conc]ns x is monitor+ = ! in/itution2   
7,c7 ! in/itution has n be5 subject to  
an adv]se action1 probation1 or %[ cause
 9 ! prec$+ #bd-mon? p]iod2  7,d7 !     
swit* is volunt>y & n compell$ by a     
,/ate law2 &  7,e7 ! in/itution 0       
reaccr$it$ "u its prior accr$it+ ag5cy  
or association's mo/ rec5t accr$itation 
/&>ds4  7#b7 ,li/ ,! ,secret>y %all     
publi% an annual li/ ( in/itutions (    
high] education t h *ang$ _! accr$it+   
ag5cy or association t includes1 = ea*  
su* in/itution1 ! prior accr$it+ ag5cy  
or association & ! new accr$it+ ag5cy or
 association4  4  #ag4 ,s5se ( congress 
,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t-- 7#a7 no?+ 9
 ?is ,act or ! am5dm5ts made by ?is ,act

 limits ! g5]ally accept$ pr9ciples (   
academic fre$om ( an in/itution ( high] 
education or %\ld be con/ru$ z provid+  
au?ority to ! ,secret>y ( ,education to 
limit t academic fre$om2 &  7#b7        
indep5d5t1 ?ird-p>ty accr$it+ ag5cies or
 associations t provide accr$itation =  
in/itutions ( high] education-- 7,a7    
%\ld-- 7i7 rema9 free f political       
int]f]5ce2  7ii7 use quality metrics to 
assess in/itutions ( high] education2 & 
7iii7 make indep5d5t det]m9ations ab\t  
accr$itation2 &  7,b7 %\ld n be subject 
to ! political pref]5ces ( *ang+        
,presid5tial adm9i/rations4  #ah4 ,rules
 ( con/ruction2 /ud5t a*ievem5t data    
,section #dif ( ! ,high] ,education ,act
 ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajii;b71 z     
am5d$ by sections #e1 #f1 #g1 #ac1 &    
#ae1 is fur!r am5d$ by add+ at ! end !  
foll[+3  7w7 ,diff]5tiat$ accr$itation  
processes ,no?+ 9 ?is title %all be     
int]pret$ to prev5t an accr$it+ ag5cy or
 association f e/abli%+ diff]5tiat$     
accr$itation processes = in/itutions or 

programs bas$ on risk4  7x7             
,applicability ,! provisions ( ?is      
section %all apply to bo? in/itutional &
 programmatic accr$itation t is a       
condition = an in/itution to be an      
eligible in/itution = ! purposes ( any  
program au?oriz$ "u ?is title4  7y7     
,/ud5t a*ievem5t data  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! 
,secret>y %all provide ! necess>y /ud5t 
a*ievem5t data to accr$it+ ag5cies or   
associations ne$$ to implem5t subsection
 7a77#e77;,a74  7#b7 ,disaggregation ,to
 ! ext5t practicable1 ! data describ$ 9 
p>agraph 7#a7 %all be provid$ to        
accr$it+ ag5cies or associations 9 a    
mann] t c be disaggregat$ by ,pell      
,grant recipi5t /atus1 race or e?nicity1
 & g5d]4  4  #ai4 ,prohibition on       
transf]r+ accr$itation recognition      
processes to o!r ,f$]al ag5cies  7a7 ,9 
g5]al ,not)/&+ any o!r provision ( law &
 subject to subsection 7c71 ! ,secret>y 
( ,education %all n procure s]vices f1  
contract or c>ry out an agreem5t )1     
obta9 any goods or s]vices f1 transf]   

activities to1 or ent] into a simil>    
arrangem5t )1 ano!r ,f$]al ag5cy relat+ 
to adm9i/]+ sections #dif & #did;,a ( ! 
,high] ,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj     
,u4,s4,c4 #ajii;b & #ajih;i74  7b7      
,applicability ( o!r laws ,subject to   
subsection 7c71 section #dcj7;a7 ( !    
,g5]al ,education ,provisions ,act 7#bj 
,u4,s4,c4 #abca7;a771 section #dae &    
#dai ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,education         
,organization ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #cdge1
 #cdgi71 & section #aece ( title #ca1   
,unit$ ,/ates ,code 7commonly kn[n z !  
,economy ,act71 %all n apply to ?is     
,act4  7c7 ,exception ,?is section %all 
n apply to-- 7#a7 any procurem5t1       
contract1 agreem5t 7includ+ an agreem5t 
= obta9+ goods or s]vices71 transf]1 or 
simil> arrangem5t1 betwe5 ! ,dep>tm5t ( 
,education & ano!r ,f$]al ag5cy t 0 9   
effect on ,janu>y #bj1 #bjbe2 &  7#b7 ! 
r5ewal ( su* a procurem5t1 contract1    
agreem5t1 transf]1 or simil> arrangem5t 
describ$ 9 ?is subsection4