Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 28C.10 · 24 active provisions
It is the intent of this chapter to protect against practices by private vocational schools which are false, deceptive, misleading, or unfair, and to help ensure adequate educational quality at private vocational schools.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.(1) "Agency" means the workforce training and education coordinating board.(2) "Agent" means a person owning an interest in, employed by, or representing for remuneration a private vocational school within or wi…
This chapter does not apply to:(1) Bona fide trade, business, professional, or fraternal organizations conducting educational programs primarily for that organization's membership or offered by that organization on a no-fee basis;(2) Entities offering education that is exclusively avocational or recreational;(3) Educat…
The agency:(1) Shall maintain a list of private vocational schools licensed under this chapter;(2) Shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW to carry out this chapter;(3) May investigate any entity the agency reasonably believes to be subject to the jurisdiction of this chapter. In connection with the inve…
(1) The agency shall adopt by rule minimum standards for entities operating private vocational schools. The minimum standards shall include, but not be limited to, requirements to assess whether a private vocational school is eligible to obtain and maintain a license in this state.(2) The requirements adopted by the ag…
Any entity desiring to operate a private vocational school shall apply for a license to the agency on a form provided by the agency. The agency shall issue a license if the school:(1) Files a completed application with information satisfactory to the agency. Misrepresentation by an applicant shall be grounds for the ag…
The agency shall establish fees by rule at a level necessary to approximately recover the staffing costs incurred in administering this chapter. All fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the state general fund.
The tuition recovery trust fund is hereby established in the custody of the state treasurer. The agency shall deposit in the fund all moneys received under RCW 28C.10.084. Moneys in the fund may be spent only for the purposes under RCW 28C.10.084. Disbursements from the fund shall be on authorization of the agency. Dis…
(1) The agency shall establish, maintain, and administer a tuition recovery trust fund. All funds collected for the tuition recovery trust fund are payable to the state for the benefit and protection of any student or enrollee of a private vocational school licensed under this chapter, in the case of a minor, his or he…
A private vocational school, whether located in this state or outside of this state, shall not conduct business of any kind, make any offers, advertise or solicit, or enter into any contracts unless the private vocational school is licensed under this chapter.
The executive director of the agency may suspend or modify any of the requirements under this chapter in a particular case if the agency 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 resi…
(1) It is a violation of this chapter for an entity operating a private vocational school to engage in an unfair business practice. The agency may deny, revoke, or suspend the license of any entity that is found to have engaged in a substantial number of unfair business practices or that has engaged in significant unfa…
(1) Complaints may be filed under this chapter only by a current student or exiter of a program or training affected by an unfair business practice. The complaint shall set forth the alleged violation and shall contain information required by the agency on forms provided for that purpose. A complaint may also be filed…
(1) Any private vocational school or agent violating RCW 28C.10.060, 28C.10.090, or 28C.10.110 or the applicable agency rules is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars for each separate violation. Each day on which a violation occurs constitutes a separate violation. Multiple violations on a si…
Any entity or any owner, officer, agent, or employee of such entity who wilfully violates RCW 28C.10.060 or 28C.10.090 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not to exceed one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail for up to three hundred sixty-four days, o…
A private vocational school, 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 action…
If any private vocational school discontinues its operation, the chief administrative officer of the school shall file with the agency the original or legible true copies of all educational records required by the agency. If the agency determines that any educational records are in danger of being made unavailable to t…
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 28C.10.180 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 is not enforceable in the courts of this state by a private vocational school or holder of the instrument unless the private vocational school was licensed under this chapter at the time the note, instrument, or other ev…
The attorney general or the prosecuting attorney of any county in which a private vocational school or agent of the school 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 agency 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 agency need not allege or prove that the agency has no adequate remedy at law. The right of injunction provided in this sect…
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.
This act shall take effect July 1, 1986.