Senate Bill No. 303 is an act concerning technical revisions to the higher education statutes. The bill includes changes to the language used in the statutes, specifically replacing the terms "license or accreditation" with "authorization" in the context of the application process for for-profit institutions of higher education. The executive director of the Office of Higher Education is granted the authority to deny such authorization if the institution fails to include a required statement in its application or if the director determines that denying authorization is necessary to protect the interests of students in the state. Additionally, the bill allows the executive director to deny authorization by refusing to accept or withdrawing any previous acceptance of regional accreditation.
The bill also establishes the Connecticut Open Educational Resource Coordinating Council within the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, detailing its composition and the appointment of its members. Furthermore, it defines the term "project" for various participating entities, such as institutions for higher education and health care institutions, to include structures, facilities, equipment, and services that are necessary or useful for their operation or in furtherance of their organization or mission. The bill includes an insertion to clarify that programs or services must be "in" furtherance of the organization or mission of a participating qualified nonprofit organization. The act is effective from July 1, 2024, and was approved on May 28, 2024.