AL HB382

Boards of trustees of Alabama public higher education institutions may seek accreditation from any nationally recognized accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education, expanding options beyond the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accrediting agencies are prohibited from requiring public institutions to violate state law or taking adverse action against institutions for complying with state law, unless that state law is preempted by federal law.

Boards of trustees must report violations by accrediting agencies to the Senate and House Education Policy Committee chairs in writing within 30 calendar days of the violation.

Public institutions subject to prohibited adverse accreditation actions may bring civil lawsuits against the offending accrediting agency.

Effective date is October 1, 2026, with conforming amendments to multiple Alabama Code sections governing student grants, teacher education programs, and athletic trainer loan assistance programs.