MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Universities and Colleges
By: Senator(s) Polk
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSION ON COLLEGE ACCREDITATION TO ADMINISTER INTERSTATE RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS THAT WILL ALLOW APPROVED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND REGISTERED PROPRIETARY SCHOOLS TO OFFER POSTSECONDARY DISTANCE EDUCATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 37-101-243, Mississippi Code of 1972:
37-101-243. (1) For the purposes of this section, these words are defined as follows:
(a) "Commission" means the Commission on College Accreditation created under Section 37-101-241; and
(b) "Institution" means and includes institutions of higher learning approved under Section 37-101-241 and proprietary schools and other entities subject to regulation under Section 75-60-1 et seq.
(2) The commission may enter into and administer interstate reciprocity agreements that allow institutions to offer postsecondary distance education. The commission is further authorized to carry out the following duties as related to interstate reciprocity agreements:
(a) Approve or disapprove participation in these agreements by institutions;
(b) Establish fees to be paid by participating institutions to cover the commission's direct and indirect administrative costs;
(c) Serve as the state point of contact for questions, complaints and other communications;
(d) Enter into agreements with other state agencies regarding state responsibilities; and
(e) Form committees to assist in establishing policies and procedures.
(3) The commission shall not:
(a) Require institutions to participate in interstate reciprocity agreements; or
(b) Prohibit institutions that do not participate in these agreements from offering postsecondary distance education.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.