SECTION 1. (a) As of October 1, 2024, institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth shall not use standardized test scores for purposes of determining student admission to undergraduate or graduate degree programs.

(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to examinations required for determining licensure, certification or any profession where an examination is required by a national accreditation organization.

SECTION 2. (a) The commissioner of the department of higher education shall convene a working group with representatives from both public and private institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth to develop, support and promote alternative methods for determining student admission to undergraduate and graduate degree programs that better promote equity and opportunity for students from all backgrounds, especially students of color and those from other disadvantaged backgrounds.

(b) Annually, not later than December 31, the commissioner shall submit a report detailing their progress and indicating any barriers to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the chairs of the joint committee on higher education.

SECTION 3. section 2 of this act is hereby amended by striking subsection (b)

SECTION 4. Section 3 of this act shall take effect on January 1, 2025.