The Accreditation Autonomy Act aims to protect public institutions of higher education in Iowa from adverse actions by accrediting agencies when these institutions comply with state laws or refuse to violate them. The bill defines "accrediting agency" as a non-governmental entity that provides accreditation to public institutions of higher education and specifies that public institutions include those governed by the state board of regents or community colleges. It establishes that any adverse action taken by an accrediting agency based on an institution's compliance with state law constitutes a violation of this act.

Additionally, the bill allows affected institutions to pursue civil action against accrediting agencies if they experience negative consequences due to compliance with state law, with the attorney general authorized to represent them. The legislation also updates references in the Iowa Code, replacing mentions of the "higher learning commission" with "federally recognized accreditors of postsecondary educational institutions." The act is effective immediately upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 147A.1, 147A.17, 256.183