SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1101        FILED ON: 1/19/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 671

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Viriato M. deMacedo

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to state reciprocity agreements.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Viriato M. deMacedo

Plymouth and Barnstable

 

Donald F. Humason, Jr.

Second Hampden and Hampshire

1/31/2017

Thomas J. Calter

12th Plymouth

2/2/2017


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1101        FILED ON: 1/19/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 671

By Mr. deMacedo, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 671) of Viriato M. deMacedo, Donald F. Humason, Jr. and Thomas J. Calter for legislation relative to state reciprocity agreements.  Higher Education.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

_______________

 

An Act relative to state reciprocity agreements.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 9 of Chapter 15A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph:-

Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or specific law to the contrary, the board of higher education shall have the authority to enter into interstate reciprocity agreements that authorize any accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education located in Massachusetts to voluntarily participate in such reciprocity agreements and to provide distance education programs to students in other states in accordance with the provisions of such agreements. The authority granted by this paragraph applies only to distance learning programs and does not affect other approvals of institutions of higher education or programs required under Massachusetts law, nor does it affect any exemptions for institutions of higher education or programs. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit accredited, degree-granting institutions of higher education located in Massachusetts that do not participate in any interstate reciprocity agreement entered into by the board of higher education from offering postsecondary distance education programs. Provided further, that nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of the Attorney General to enforce statutes and regulations prohibiting consumer fraud and unfair or deceptive business practices, including, Chapter 93A, and to enforce the federal Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, as authorized by 12 U.S.C. 5552.