HB 1103 Summary

• Creates new chapter 15-18.1 establishing state board of higher education authority to authorize postsecondary institutions offering associate in arts degrees or higher, with accreditation requirements and minimum standards for quality of education, ethical practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility.

• Makes it unlawful to knowingly advertise, sell, issue, or manufacture false academic degrees (class C felony) or knowingly use false academic degrees for employment, promotion, admission, or business purposes (class A misdemeanor).

• Makes it unlawful to operate an accreditation mill (any accrediting entity not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or state boards) with North Dakota contact information (class C felony).

• Establishes civil penalties up to $100 per violation for operating without authorization or non-compliance with board standards; willful violations constitute class B misdemeanor.

• Amends existing career and technical education regulations to clarify distinctions between higher education institutions (state board of higher education) and career schools (state board for career and technical education), with career schools limited to associate of applied science level or lower.