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Committee adopts substitute and advances bill letting public universities choose ED‑recognized accreditors
Summary
Representative Dubose presented HB 382 to allow state public universities to select any U.S. Department of Education‑recognized accreditor, prohibit accreditors from forcing compliance that would violate state law, and clarify private institutions are unaffected; the substitute was adopted after committee discussion and testimony from the Commissioner of Higher Education.
Representative Dubose told the committee that House Bill 382 would let state public universities choose any accreditor approved by the U.S. Department of Education rather than mandating a particular accreditor. She said the bill also would prohibit an accrediting agency from requiring a public institution to violate state law or taking adverse action for compliance with state law.
"I'm here today to present uh this bill which allows public universities of higher education to choose an accredititor that's approved by the United States Department of Education," Dubose said, explaining that dual accreditation would be required temporarily while a new accreditor completes federal recognition.
Jim Purcell, Alabama Commissioner of Higher Education, told the committee the commission reviewed the substitute and provided advice during its drafting. "We gave a lot of advice. We've had conversations since the summer on this. We're real comfortable with where it is settled," Purcell said, reflecting the commission's support for the substitute as drafted.
The committee adopted the substitute and then voted to give the adopted bill a favorable report by voice vote. The sponsor said the change applies only to state‑supported public institutions and does not alter accreditation of private institutions.
