Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 28B.85 · 27 active provisions
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter:(1) "Council" means the student achievement council.(2) "Degree" means any designation, appellation, letters, or words including but not limited to "associate," "bachelor," "master," "doctor," or "fellow" which…
(1) The council:(a) Shall adopt by rule, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, minimum standards for degree-granting institutions concerning granting of degrees, quality of education, unfair business practices, financial stability, and other necessary measures to protect citizens of this state against substandard, frau…
(1) A degree-granting institution shall not operate and shall not grant or offer to grant any degree unless the institution has obtained current authorization from the council.(2) Any person, group, or entity or any owner, officer, agent, or employee of such entity who willfully violates this section is guilty of a gro…
(1) An institution or person shall not advertise, offer, sell, or award a degree or any other type of educational credential unless the student has enrolled in and successfully completed a prescribed program of study, as outlined in the institution's publications. This prohibition shall not apply to honorary credential…
All degree-granting institutions subject to this chapter shall file information with the council as the council may require.
The council shall impose fees on any degree-granting institution authorized to operate under this chapter. Fees shall be set and revised by the council by rule at the level necessary to approximately recover the staffing costs incurred in administering this chapter. Fees shall be deposited in the general fund.
(1) The council may require any degree-granting institution to have on file with the council an approved surety bond or other security in lieu of a bond in an amount determined by the council.(2) In lieu of a surety bond, an institution may deposit with the council a cash deposit or other negotiable security acceptable…
The council may suspend or modify any of the requirements under this chapter in a particular case if the council finds that:(1) The suspension or modification is consistent with the purposes of this chapter; and(2) The education to be offered addresses a substantial, demonstrated need among residents of the state or th…
(1) Complaints may be filed with the council under this chapter by a person claiming loss of tuition or fees; other loss or injury due to misrepresentation of educational programs, accreditation, support for or statistics relating to job placement, or measurements of student debts and earnings; and other unfair busines…
(1)(a) The council may deny, revoke, or suspend the authorization of any degree-granting institution authorized to operate under this chapter that is found to be in violation of this chapter.(b) The council may not delegate to any other state its authority to oversee and enforce compliance with this chapter or its auth…
Any person, group, or entity or any owner, officer, agent, or employee of such entity who willfully violates any provision of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars for each violation. Each day on which a violation occurs constitutes…
A degree-granting institution, whether located in this state or outside of this state, that conducts business of any kind, makes any offers, advertises, solicits, or enters into any contracts in this state or with a resident of this state is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state for any cause of actio…
If any degree-granting institution discontinues its operation, the chief administrative officer of the institution shall file with the council the original or legible true copies of all educational records required by the council. If the council determines that any educational records are in danger of being made unavai…
If a student or prospective student is a resident of this state at the time any contract relating to payment for education or any note, instrument, or other evidence of indebtedness relating thereto is entered into, RCW 28B.85.150 shall govern the rights of the parties to the contract or evidence of indebtedness. If a…
A note, instrument, or other evidence of indebtedness or contract relating to payment for education for a degree is not enforceable in the courts of this state by a degree-granting institution or holder of the instrument unless the institution was authorized to offer the degree under this chapter at the time the note,…
The attorney general or the prosecuting attorney of any county in which a degree-granting institution or agent of the institution is found may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for the enforcement of this chapter. The court may issue an injunction or grant any other appropriate form of relief.
The council may seek injunctive relief, after giving notice to the affected party, in a court of competent jurisdiction for a violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter. The council need not allege or prove that the council has no adequate remedy at law. The right of injunction provided in this s…
(1) A degree-granting institution authorized to operate under this chapter must:(a) Present data about its completion rates, employment rates, loan or indebtedness metrics, or its graduates' median hourly and annual earnings, the posted data consistent with the data posted on the workforce training and education coordi…
A violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter affects the public interest and is an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of RCW 19.86.020 of the consumer protection act. The remedies and sanctions provided by this section shall not preclude application of other remedies and sanctions.
The remedies and penalties provided for in this chapter are nonexclusive and cumulative and do not affect any other actions or proceedings.
(1) It is unlawful for a person to:(a) Grant or award a false academic credential or offer to grant or award a false academic credential in violation of this section;(b) Represent that a credit earned or granted by the person, in violation of this section, can be applied toward a credential offered by another person; o…
(1)(a) For the purpose of providing relief to students impacted by the voluntary or involuntary closure of schools regulated under this chapter, the council shall establish, maintain, and administer a student achievement council tuition recovery trust fund created in RCW 28B.85.240. All funds collected for the student…
The student achievement council tuition recovery trust fund is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from fees imposed on schools licensed under this chapter and RCW 28B.85.230 must be deposited into the fund. Expenditures from the fund may be used only for the purposes in RCW 28B.85.230. Only the…
The council may utilize its authority to waive state requirements for institutions participating in interstate reciprocity agreements for online or distance education if:(1) Such waivers are consistent with federal regulations and requirements for state authorization pursuant to 34 C.F.R. Sec. 600.2 and 600.9, includin…
This act shall take effect July 1, 1986.