CO HB1049

Postsecondary institutions may only withhold transcripts or diplomas for unpaid tuition, room and board fees, or financial aid funds owed by current or former students.

Students may obtain transcripts or diplomas despite owing other debts if they demonstrate need for job applications, transferring to another institution, applying for financial aid, military/National Guard service, or other postsecondary opportunities (does not apply to foreign students).

Institutions cannot charge higher fees, provide less favorable treatment, or use transcript or diploma issuance as a debt collection tool when providing documents under exemption provisions.

Each postsecondary institution must adopt and publish a policy by July 1, 2024 that includes a verification process for exemptions, payment plan options, and identifies thresholds for registration holds and third-party collection agency assignment.

Postsecondary institutions must report annually starting July 1, 2024 to the Department of Higher Education on transcript/diploma/registration holds and past-due accounts assigned to collection agencies; complaints may be filed with the Student Loan Ombudsperson and the Uniform Consumer Credit Code Administrator.