AN ACT to prohibit constituent institutions of the university of north carolina and community colleges from violating state or federal law because of a requirement of an accrediting agency.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 116‑11.4 reads as rewritten:

§ 116‑11.4.  Accreditation.

(a)        Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:

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(2)        Accrediting agency. – An agency or association that accredits institutions of higher education.

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(b1)      Illegal Accreditation Requirements Prohibited. – A constituent institution of The University of North Carolina shall not take any action in violation of State or federal law because of any principle, standard, policy, or other requirement of an accrediting agency.

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(d)       Certain Programs Exempt. – The Except as provided in subsection (b1) of this section, the requirements of this section do not apply to professional, graduate, departmental, or certificate programs at constituent institutions that have specific accreditation requirements or best practices, including law, pharmacy, engineering, and other similar educational programs, as identified by the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina.

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SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 115D‑6.2 reads as rewritten:

§ 115D‑6.2.  Accreditation.

(a)        Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:

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(2)        Accrediting agency. – An agency or association that accredits institutions of higher education.

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(b1)      Illegal Accreditation Requirements Prohibited. – A community college shall not take any action in violation of State or federal law because of any principle, standard, policy, or other requirement of an accrediting agency.

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(d)       Certain Programs Exempt. – The Except as provided in subsection (b1) of this section, the requirements of this section do not apply to professional, departmental, or certificate programs at community colleges that have specific accreditation requirements or best practices, as identified by the State Board of Community Colleges.

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SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.