HI SB1286

Narrows the scope of private trade, vocational, and technical school licensing to schools required for federal compliance, accreditation, funding qualification, or professional licensure preparation, removing blanket regulation of all such schools.

Establishes initial licensure fee of $2,000 for applications submitted after December 31, 2017, and biennial renewal fee of $2,000 for licenses renewed after that date.

Creates the private trade, vocational, and technical school licensure special fund to receive all licensing fees and general fund appropriations for administrative costs and staff positions.

Removes curriculum review and program quality assurance responsibilities from the department of education, with consumer complaints redirected to the department of commerce and consumer affairs for investigation.

Appropriates $60,000 annually for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to the special fund, and $100,000 annually from the special fund for administrative costs including one permanent full-time position.