RCW 28B.85.010 Definitions. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter: (1) “Council” means the student achievement council. (2) “Degree” means any designation, appellation, letters, or words including but not limited to “associate,” “bachelor,” “master,” “doctor,” or “fellow” which signify or purport to signify satisfactory completion of the […]
RCW 28B.85.020 Council’s duties—Rule-making authority. (1) The council: (a) Shall adopt by rule, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, minimum standards for degree-granting institutions concerning granting of degrees, quality of education, unfair business practices, financial stability, and other necessary measures to protect citizens of this state against substandard, fraudulent, or deceptive practices. The rules shall […]
RCW 28B.85.030 Current authorization required to offer or grant degree—Penalty for violation. (1) A degree-granting institution shall not operate and shall not grant or offer to grant any degree unless the institution has obtained current authorization from the council. (2) Any person, group, or entity or any owner, officer, agent, or employee of such entity […]
RCW 28B.85.040 Completion of program of study prerequisite to degree—Application of chapter. (1) An institution or person shall not advertise, offer, sell, or award a degree or any other type of educational credential unless the student has enrolled in and successfully completed a prescribed program of study, as outlined in the institution’s publications. This prohibition […]
RCW 28B.85.050 Council may require information. All degree-granting institutions subject to this chapter shall file information with the council as the council may require. [ 2012 c 229 § 546; 1986 c 136 § 5.] NOTES: Effective date—2012 c 229 §§ 101, 117, 401, 402, 501 through 594, 601 through 609, 701 through 708, 801 […]
RCW 28B.85.060 Fees. The council shall impose fees on any degree-granting institution authorized to operate under this chapter. Fees shall be set and revised by the council by rule at the level necessary to approximately recover the staffing costs incurred in administering this chapter. Fees shall be deposited in the general fund. [ 2012 c […]
RCW 28B.85.070 Surety bonds—Security in lieu of bond—Cancellation of bond—Notice—Claims. (1) The council may require any degree-granting institution to have on file with the council an approved surety bond or other security in lieu of a bond in an amount determined by the council. (2) In lieu of a surety bond, an institution may deposit […]
RCW 28B.85.080 Suspension or modification of requirements authorized. The council may suspend or modify any of the requirements under this chapter in a particular case if the council finds that: (1) The suspension or modification is consistent with the purposes of this chapter; and (2) The education to be offered addresses a substantial, demonstrated need […]
RCW 28B.85.090 Claims—Complaints—Investigations—Hearings—Orders. (1) Complaints may be filed with the council under this chapter by a person claiming loss of tuition or fees as a result of an unfair business practice. The complaint shall set forth the alleged violation and shall contain information required by the council. A complaint may also be filed with the […]
RCW 28B.85.095 Council’s authority to enforce compliance—Violations. (1)(a) The council may deny, revoke, or suspend the authorization of any degree-granting institution authorized to operate under this chapter that is found to be in violation of this chapter. (b) The council may not delegate to any other state its authority to oversee and enforce compliance with […]
RCW 28B.85.100 Violations—Civil penalties. Any person, group, or entity or any owner, officer, agent, or employee of such entity who willfully violates any provision of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars for each violation. Each day on which […]
RCW 28B.85.120 Actions resulting in jurisdiction of courts. A degree-granting institution, whether located in this state or outside of this state, that conducts business of any kind, makes any offers, advertises, solicits, or enters into any contracts in this state or with a resident of this state is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts […]
RCW 28B.85.130 Educational records—Permanent file—Protection. If any degree-granting institution discontinues its operation, the chief administrative officer of the institution shall file with the council the original or legible true copies of all educational records required by the council. If the council determines that any educational records are in danger of being made unavailable to the […]
RCW 28B.85.140 Contracts voidable—When. If a student or prospective student is a resident of this state at the time any contract relating to payment for education or any note, instrument, or other evidence of indebtedness relating thereto is entered into, RCW 28B.85.150 shall govern the rights of the parties to the contract or evidence of […]
RCW 28B.85.150 Enforceability of debts—Authority to offer degree required. A note, instrument, or other evidence of indebtedness or contract relating to payment for education for a degree is not enforceable in the courts of this state by a degree-granting institution or holder of the instrument unless the institution was authorized to offer the degree under […]
RCW 28B.85.160 Actions to enforce chapter—Who may bring—Relief. The attorney general or the prosecuting attorney of any county in which a degree-granting institution or agent of the institution is found may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for the enforcement of this chapter. The court may issue an injunction or grant any […]
RCW 28B.85.170 Injunctive relief—Council may seek. The council may seek injunctive relief, after giving notice to the affected party, in a court of competent jurisdiction for a violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter. The council need not allege or prove that the council has no adequate remedy at law. The […]
RCW 28B.85.175 Degree-granting institution requirements—Consumer protection act violations. (1) A degree-granting institution authorized to operate under this chapter must: (a) Present data about its completion rates, employment rates, loan or indebtedness metrics, or its graduates’ median hourly and annual earnings, the posted data consistent with the data posted on the workforce training and education coordinating […]
RCW 28B.85.180 Violation of chapter unfair or deceptive practice under RCW 19.86.020. A violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter affects the public interest and is an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of RCW 19.86.020 of the consumer protection act. The remedies and sanctions provided by this section […]
RCW 28B.85.190 Remedies and penalties in chapter nonexclusive and cumulative. The remedies and penalties provided for in this chapter are nonexclusive and cumulative and do not affect any other actions or proceedings. [ 1986 c 136 § 19.]
