Bill Summary: HB 5037 - Division of Postsecondary Education

• Establishes a Division of Postsecondary Education within the Department of Education, effective July 1, 2018, replacing the former Office of Higher Education.

• Transfers administrative functions and program oversight from the independent Office of Higher Education to the Department of Education, with a division chief selected by the Commissioner of Education and approved by the State Board of Education.

• Requires the division to serve as staff to the Planning Commission for Higher Education and make recommendations regarding program administration and operation of state higher education initiatives.

• Updates all statutes referencing the "Office of Higher Education" and its "executive director" to reference the new "Division of Postsecondary Education" and "division chief" throughout state law.

• Maintains all existing programs and responsibilities previously administered by the Office of Higher Education, including student financial aid, occupational school licensing, teacher preparation programs, and higher education planning.