TITLE 17. EDUCATION

CHAPTER 24-A. PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS

 

17:3141.3       Advisory Commission on Proprietary Schools;  creation of;  membership;  terms;  rules and regulations

A. There is hereby established under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents an Advisory Commission on Proprietary Schools, composed of nine members to be appointed by the following:

(1) One member by the commissioner of higher education.

(2) Two members by the Board of Regents.

(3) Three members by the Louisiana Proprietary Schools Association.

(4) One member by the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges.

(5) One member by the State Association of Better Business Bureaus.

(6) One member by the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

B. (1) Each member shall serve for a term of four years and until their successors are appointed or qualified, except that of the initial members of the commission, two shall be appointed to serve for two year terms each, two for three years each, and three for four years each, the terms of each of the members being designated initially by the state superintendent of education.

(2) Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the commission shall be filled by the appointing authority who has designated the member in the same manner as the member whose term has expired or whose unexpired term is being filled.

(3) Members to be appointed after July 1, 1999 by the commissioner of higher education and the Board of Regents shall replace the members appointed by the superintendent of education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for the remainder of the term to be served by such member.  Thereafter all successors shall be appointed as provided in this Section.

C. The members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in attending meetings of the commission.

D. (1) The commission shall elect annually from its membership a chairman and a vice chairman.

(2) The commission also shall adopt rules and regulations it deems necessary to administer its functions and which are not in conflict with Board of Regents policy.  Such rules and regulations shall include but not be limited to:

(a) Establishing acceptable standards, consistent with prevailing accreditation standards, for the conduct of solicitors and for the operation of schools.

(b) Providing for investigation of complaints related to the established standards and for the disposition of such complaints.

(c) Providing remedies, including but not limited to restitution orders, fines, and other appropriate measures for violation of established standards.

E. The commission shall promulgate written regulations and requirements pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, and shall additionally provide for a student complaint procedure which shall be applicable to all licensed proprietary schools.  The commission shall provide for a mechanism for informing all students of the availability of the student complaint procedure and shall furnish to anyone, within thirty days of receipt of a written request, a copy of the said regulations and requirements.

F. The Board of Regents shall provide for the monitoring of all proprietary schools to ensure that all advertising and representations made on behalf of the school to a prospective student are truthful and free from misrepresentation and fraud.

G. The Advisory Commission on Proprietary Schools shall be advisory in nature, but may have such powers and duties as set forth in this Chapter, subject to approval of and oversight by the Board of Regents.  The board may ratify, annul, or modify any rule, decision, finding, or order of the commission as it deems appropriate.  Any action taken by the commission pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall not be effective until ratified by the board.

Added by Acts 1972, No. 311, § 1.  Amended by Acts 1977, No. 69, § 1;  Acts 1988, No. 881, § 1;  Acts 1989, No. 798, § 1;  Acts 1991, No. 844, § 1;  Acts 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., No. 151, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999;  Acts 2000, 1st Ex.Sess., No. 63, § 1, eff. April 17, 2000;  Acts 2003, No. 267, § 1;  Acts 2006, No. 223, § 1, eff. June 2, 2006.