Signed by Governor Kim Reynolds

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits accrediting agencies from penalizing an institution for "refusing to violate" state law and allows certain lawsuits against such agencies in Iowa.

Highlights:

• Establishes the “Accreditation Autonomy Act” in Iowa (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits an accrediting agency from taking any adverse action against a public institution of higher education for complying with a state law or refusing to violate a state law (Sec. 7). 

• Defines “accrediting agency” as an entity that provides accreditation of public institutions of higher education that is not a government agency (Sec. 9). 

• Defines “public institution of higher education” as an institution governed by the state board of regents or a community college (Sec. 9). 

• Authorizes any public institution of higher education that is negatively affected by adverse action taken by an accrediting agency in violation of the provisions of this bill to bring civil action against the accrediting agency (Sec. 8).  

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage (Sec. 9). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits accrediting agencies from penalizing an institution for "refusing to violate" state law and allows certain lawsuits against such agencies in Iowa.

Highlights:

• Establishes the “Accreditation Autonomy Act” in Iowa (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits an accrediting agency from taking any adverse action against a public institution of higher education for complying with a state law or refusing to violate a state law (Sec. 7). 

• Defines “accrediting agency” as an entity that provides accreditation of public institutions of higher education that is not a government agency (Sec. 9). 

• Defines “public institution of higher education” as an institution governed by the state board of regents or a community college (Sec. 9). 

• Authorizes any public institution of higher education that is negatively affected by adverse action taken by an accrediting agency in violation of the provisions of this bill to bring civil action against the accrediting agency (Sec. 8).  

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage (Sec. 9). 

Full Bill Text