Budget Amendment ID: FY2017-S4-250-R2

2nd Redraft EDU 250

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements

Messrs. Moore, Tarr, Joyce, Brownsberger and deMacedo and Ms. Donoghue moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting, after section _____, the following new section:-

“SECTION  ____.  There shall be a special commission to examine and make recommendations to the legislature regarding the board of higher education entering into interstate reciprocity agreements that authorize any accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education located in Massachusetts to voluntarily participate in such agreement in order to provide distance learning programs to students in other states in accordance with the terms of such agreement.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of the attorney general to enforce laws or promulgate and enforce regulations prohibiting consumer fraud and unfair or deceptive business practices, including, but not limited to chapter 93A, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Acts of 2010, as authorized by 12 U.S.C. 5552, or any other general purpose law or regulation.

The commission shall consist of: the secretary of education or a designee who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of the department of higher education or a designee; the attorney general or a designee; the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on higher education; 1 person who shall be appointed by the senate minority leader; 1 person who shall be appointed by the house minority leader;  and 10 persons appointed by the Governor, 1 person who shall be a  representative of the University of Massachusetts office of the president, 1 person who shall be a representative of the Massachusetts State College Association; 1 person who shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Community Colleges Executive Office; 3 people who shall be representatives of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, of whom 1 shall represent an independent college or university with a total enrollment of greater than 7,500 students, and of whom 1 shall represent an independent college or university with a total enrollment of less than 7,500 students;  1 person who shall be a representative a consumer advocacy organization; 1 person who shall be a student representative; 1 person who shall be a representative of an organization that advocates for students; and 1 person who shall be a representative of an online learning association.

The commission shall convene within four weeks after the date of enactment.  The commission shall convene at least 4 separate meetings, one of which must be a public hearing to gather testimony from interested parties.  The commission shall issue a report setting forth its findings and recommendations by filing the same with the board of higher education, clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint committee on higher education and the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than October 31, 2016.”