This is not the official budget document.

Budget Summary FY2017

Search for line item

Go

Outside Section 187
Data Current as of:  8/9/2016




Previous Outside Section Next Outside Section

 

Special Commission on Interstate Reciprocity Agreements

SECTION 187.   There shall be a special commission to examine and make recommendations to the general court regarding the board of higher education entering into interstate reciprocity agreements that authorize an accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education located in the commonwealth to voluntarily participate in an agreement to provide distance learning programs to students in other states in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of the attorney general to enforce laws or promulgate and enforce regulations prohibiting consumer fraud and unfair or deceptive business practices including, but not limited to chapter 93A of the General Laws, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, 12 U.S.C. 5552, or any other general purpose law or regulation.

The commission shall consist of: the secretary of education or a designee who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of higher education or a designee; the attorney general or a designee; the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on higher education; 1 person who shall be appointed by the senate minority leader; 1 person who shall be appointed by the house minority leader; and 10 persons who shall be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the office of the president of the University of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts State College Association, Inc., 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Community Colleges' executive office, 3 of whom shall be representatives of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, Inc., of whom 1 shall represent an independent college or university with a total enrollment of greater than 7,500 students and 1 shall represent an independent college or university with a total enrollment of less than 7,500 students, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a consumer advocacy organization, 1 of whom shall be a student representative, 1 of whom shall be a representative of an organization that advocates for students and 1 of whom shall be a representative of an online learning association.

The commission shall convene within 4 weeks after the effective date of this section. The commission shall convene at least 4 separate meetings, 1 of which shall be a public hearing to gather testimony from interested parties. The commission shall issue a report of its findings and recommendations by filing the same with the board of higher education, the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on higher education and the chairs of the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than October 31, 2016.