The bill amends the Post-Secondary Educational Institution Act in New Mexico by removing the distinction between regionally and nonregionally accredited institutions and changing the terminology from "registration" to "licensure." It introduces new definitions and requirements for private post-secondary educational institutions, which include career schools, colleges, and universities. Under the new provisions, all private post-secondary educational institutions must be licensed by the higher education department to operate in the state, and they must submit curriculum, enrollment information, and financial details as part of the licensure process. The department will oversee these institutions and establish standards for licensure, including annual applications and fees based on gross annual tuition revenue.

Additionally, the bill prohibits private post-secondary educational institutions from denying enrollment or making distinctions among students based on various protected characteristics, and it forbids fraudulent solicitation of student enrollment. Violations can result in civil penalties of up to $500 per day. The bill also outlines disciplinary actions the department may take against licensed institutions, such as revocation of licenses and assessment of civil penalties. It introduces new requirements for agents soliciting students for proprietary schools, including the necessity for a surety bond and a licensing system. All fees collected from licensing will be allocated for the administration of the Out-of-State Proprietary School Act.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 21-23-3, 21-23-5, 21-23-6, 21-23-6.1, 21-23-6.2, 21-23-6.3, 21-23-7, 21-23-7.1, 21-23-10, 21-23-11, 21-24-2, 21-24-4, 21-24-5, 21-24-8