House Bill 382 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Susan DuBoseRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Public institutions of higher education; accreditation standards further provided for; adverse actions taken by accrediting agencies against public institutions of higher education for compliance with state law, prohibited; civil actions against accrediting agencies for violations, authorized

Summary

HB382 would let Alabama public colleges and universities choose accreditation from any US Department of Education–approved national agency (or the Commission for Public Higher Education as an alternative) and would prohibit accrediting bodies from forcing state-law violations or adverse actions for compliance, with reporting and enforcement provisions.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes boards of trustees to pursue accreditation by any nationally recognized DOE-approved agency, or by the Commission for Public Higher Education if the institution maintains accreditation with a DOE-approved agency. It prohibits accrediting agencies from requiring a public institution to violate state law or from taking adverse actions against an institution for compliance with state law, except where federal law preempts; violations must be reported to the Legislature within 30 days. It allows a public institution to sue an accrediting agency that violates these rules, and it makes conforming changes to related statutes to implement these provisions. It also updates related definitions and program provisions (such as approved institutions, charter schools, and AMSTEP) and sets an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Public colleges and universities in Alabama (boards of trustees) that would gain flexibility in accreditation pathways, and would be required to report violations and could pursue civil action if an accrediting agency violates the bill.
• Accrediting agencies and associations that would be limited in pressuring Alabama institutions to break state law and could face civil action and mandatory reporting obligations.

Key Provisions

• Public institutions may pursue accreditation by any nationally recognized accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education, or by the Commission for Public Higher Education if maintaining DOE-approved accreditation.
• Accrediting agencies may not compel a public institution to violate state law or take adverse action based on compliance with state law, unless federal law preempts.
• Boards of trustees must notify the Chairs of the Senate Education Policy and House Education Policy Committees within 30 days of any violation.
• Public institutions may bring civil actions against accrediting agencies that violate these provisions.
• The bill includes conforming changes to sections 16-5-52, 16-5-54.1, 16-5-100, 16-33A-1, and 16-33D-3, and updates related definitions and programs; it becomes effective October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education