From the ECS State Policy Database Postsecondary Online Instruction

This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date]. State Status/Date Level Summary PA Signed into law 07/2013 Postsec. Scholarships for Distance Learning H.B. 1141 - Sec. 2599.5 Budget bill with many provisions. Of note: New Section 2599.5 establishes the Distance Education Program to approve distance education programs and to provide grants to students who enroll in approved programs. Requires the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assist... More... NE Signed into law 06/2013 Postsec. Distance Education Section L.B. 331 Redefines authorization to operate for purposes of the Postsecondary Institution Act by allowing that once authorization to operate has been issued it continues indefinitely unless otherwise suspended, revoked, or terminated, including such authorizations prev... More... NV Signed into law 06/2013 Postsec. Distance Learning S.B. 446 Authorizes the three Nevada State Commissioners who are appointed to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education to enter into reciprocity agreements for the purpose of authorizing certain postsecondary educational institutions to provide distance e... More... AL Signed into law 05/2013 Postsec. Tuition for Distance Courses Delivered to Students Outside State H.B. 123 Defines as a resident for admission and tuition purposes a student who is in a program or takes courses within an interstate consortium of colleges or universities that either offers reciprocal resident student tuition to Alabama residents in the program or co... More... TN Signed into law 04/2013 Postsec. State Authorization S.B. 195 Exempts nonprofit, online universities from the Postsecondary Education Authorization Act if they a) offer online, competency-based education to adult students; b) are led by a chief executive located in Tennessee; and c) file a memoranda of operation with the... More... KS Signed into law 04/2013 Postsec. Credit for Online Courses - Military Students H.B. 2181 Authorizes a licensing body to waive educational requirements towards certification or licensure for any former military service member who completes a distance education course through an accredited educational institution. http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b20... More... CA Signed into law 09/2012 Postsec. California Open Education Resources Council S.B. 1052 Similar to S.B. 1053 (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_1051-1100/sb_1053_bill_20120905_enrolled.pdf) From bill summary: Expresses legislative findings and declarations relating to the cost of college and university textbooks. Adds provisions to... More... CA Signed into law 09/2012 Postsec. California Digital Open Source Library S.B. 1053 Similar to S.B. 1052 (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_1051-1100/sb_1052_bill_20120905_enrolled.pdf) From bill summary: Expresses legislative findings and declarations relating to the cost of college and university textbooks. Adds provisions to... More... TX Adopted 05/2012 Postsec. Approval of Out-of-State Postsecondary Institutions Wanting to Offer Distance Education 19 TAC 7.3, 14 Defines the meaning of a reciprocal state exemption agreement as it relates to out-of-state postsecondary institutions wanting to offer distance education in Texas. Provides a clearer understanding for out-of-state institutions to which certain rules apply. Al... More... MD Signed into law 05/2012 Postsec. Postsecondary - Online Distance Education H.B. 1223 Requires institutions of postsecondary education that enroll Maryland students in fully online distance education programs in the State to register with the Maryland Higher Education Commission before commencing or continuing to operate, doing business, or fun... More... IL Adopted 04/2012 Postsec. Program Review (Private Colleges and Universities) 23 IL ADC 1030.10, 20, 30, 60, 70, 90 Guides the reviews of private colleges' and universities' (a) applications to establish new colleges and universities in the state and (b) applications for new degree programs, including out-of-state public, out-of-state private, and in-state private instituti... More... IL Adopted 04/2012 Postsec. Approval of New Units of Instruction, Research and Public Service at Public Institutions 23 IL ADC 1050.10, 20, 30 This rule guides the reviews of (a) applications for new degree programs at public universities and community colleges and (b) proposals from public universities to establish new research and public service centers. This rule also requires the institutional re... More... FL Signed into law 04/2012 Postsec. Florida Virtual Campus H.B. 5201 - Florida Virtual Campus From final bill analysis: Establishes the Florida Virtual Campus to provide access to online student and library support services and serve as a statewide resource and clearinghouse for postsecondary education distance learning courses and degree programs and ... More... CO Signed into law 04/2012 Postsec. CSU Global Campus And CSU Board Of Governors H.B. 1220 The bill establishes the governance structure for Colorado state university - global campus (CSU global campus), which will be a baccalaureate and graduate on-line university. CSU global campus will be governed by the CSU system board of governors, which is ex... More... IA Signed into law 04/2012 Postsec. Institutional Registration Required for Online Program Offerings S.F. 2267 Establishes registration and oversight requirements for postsecondary educational programs being offered online or virtually. Requires disclosure of the total tuition charges, fees, and other costs payable for course of instruction. http://coolice.legis.state.... More... VA Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Postsec. Teachers of Online Courses and College Partnership Laboratory Schools; Background Checks H.B. 577 Clarifies that teachers of online courses and in college partnership laboratory schools shall, as a condition of employment requiring direct contact with students, provide written consent and the necessary personal information to obtain a search of the registr... More... UT Signed into law 02/2012 P-12 Postsec. Utah Education Network H.B. 53 Expands the duties of the Utah Education Network (UEN), to include coordination and support of telecommunications needs of entities affiliated with the state systems of public and higher education as approved by the Utah Education Network Board. Directs the UE... More... TX Adopted 11/2011 Postsec. Distance Education Approval Processes for Degree Granting Colleges and Universities Other Than Texas Public Institutions 19 TAC 7.14 Clarifies the process by which out-of-state institutions receive approval for offering distance education in Texas. Sets out state approval requirements for distance education in response to the new federal program integrity regulations which go into effect Ju... More... TX Adopted 05/2011 Postsec. Doctoral or First Professional Degrees 19 TAC 4.261 and 4.275 Clarifies the process by which previously approved doctoral programs at public institutions may be approved for distance delivery (including off-campus or as a self-supporting program). Presently, any doctoral program wishing to be delivered by such means must... More... WA Signed into law 04/2011 Postsec. Establishes Online University H.B. 1822 Establishes the first nonprofit online university as part of Western Governors University. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Law%202011/1822-S.SL.pdf... More... VA Issued 03/2010 Postsec. Establishing the Governor's Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment E.O. 9 Establishes the Governor's Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment. Directs the commission to consider the current state of public and private higher education in the state, and best practices in other states and countries. Directs the... More... TX Issued 09/2009 Postsec. Higher Education Cost Efficiencies E.O. RP73 Directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in cooperation with Texas public institutions of higher education, to undertake a comprehensive review of opportunities for achieving cost efficiencies, including: --State funding based on student course c... More... OH Signed into law 07/2009 P-12 Postsec. eTech Ohio (Education Technology) H.B. 1 - Section 3353.09, 3353.20, and 265.30.83 By January 2010, directs the eTech Ohio commission to develop and implement a plan to create an aligned educational technology system that spans preschool to postsecondary education (P-20). Directs the commission to consult with the state board of education in... More... LA Signed into law 06/2009 Postsec. Community College Online Course Tuition H.B. 771 Authorizes the state Community and Technical College System Board of Supervisors to equalize tuition for online courses. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=665913... More... FL Signed into law 05/2009 P-12 Postsec. School Construction Bonds/Virtual Instruction Program/School Breakfast Programs/Florida Teacher Lead Program S.B. 1676 Creates the Florida Qualified School Construction Bond Allocation Act; requires the Office of Technology and Information Services (under supervision of the state board) to develop a systemwide technology plan, making budget recommendations to the commissioner,... More... FL Signed into law 05/2009 Postsec. Community College Florida Distance Learning Consortium H.B. 7121 Establishes the Florida Distance Learning Consortium to facilitate collaboration among public postsecondary educational institutions in use of distance learning; provides duties of consortium; defines distance learning course for purposes of assessing distance... More... AL Signed into law 05/2009 P-12 Postsec. Community College Alabama Virtual Library H.B. 322 Establishes the Alabama Virtual Library and the Alabama Virtual Library Executive Council, and executive council membership, responsibilities and duties. Includes 3 appointees each of state superintendent, chancellor of postsecondary education and executive di... More... WA Signed into law 04/2009 Postsec. Postsecondary Online Technology H.B. 1946 Encourages all institutions of higher education to use common online learning technologies including existing learning management and web conferencing systems currently managed and governed by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and to share p... More... IA Signed into law 03/2009 Postsec. Registration of Postsecondary Schools S.B. 270 Transfers the authority to register postsecondary schools from the Secretary of State to the College Student Aid Commission; adds "or other distance delivery method" to the requirement that "except as otherwise provided in subsection 4 2, every person, firm, a... More... CO Signed into law 03/2009 Postsec. CO St. Univ. Online University S.B. 86 Creates an online university to be known as Colorado state university - global campus. States that the university will have moderately selective admission standards and will offer undergraduate and master's degrees. http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2009a/... More... IL Adopted 01/2009 Postsec. Community College Approval of New Units 23 IAC 1050.10, 1050.20, 1050.30, 1050.40, 1050.50, 1050.ILLUSTRATIONA Clarifies requirements for program approval, procedures for obtaining approval, and requirements for reviews of existing programs at public two- and four-year institutions. Requires the following information to be included in the institution's catalog of progr... More... IL Adopted 01/2009 Postsec. Program Approval 23 IAC 1030.10, 1030.20, 1030.30, 1030.60, 1030.70, 1030.80,1030.ILLUSTRATION A Provides exemptions from program approval requirements. Requires any institution offering online instruction where the core academic support services, including admission, evaluation, assessment, registration, financial aid, academic scheduling, and faculty hi... More... CA Signed into law 09/2008 P-12 Community College Postsec. Virtual campus S.B. 1437 Authorizes the State Virtual Campus to partner with education entities and community-based organizations to facilitate efforts relating to the use of technology resources and Internet connectivity. Authorizes campus grantees to accomplish certain online educat... More... FL Signed into law 06/2008 Postsec. Community College Higher Education Distance Learning H.B. 7105 Relates to postsecondary distance learning; establishes the State Distance Learning Consortium to facilitate access to distance learning resources; establishes State Higher Education Distance Learning Catalog as central point of access to distance learning res... More... HI Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Postsec. Community College Online Learning H.B. 2971 Directs the Department of Education to adopt and implement recommendations and strategic goals contained in the report of the online learning task force established by Act 275, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007. Specifically requires the department to: (1) Continue ... More... KY Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 Postsec. STEM S.B. 2 Defines "Advanced science and mathematics" as Advanced Placement (AP) biology, calculus, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, and physics, and International Baccalaureate (IB) biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental systems, mathemat... More... WA Signed into law 03/2008 Postsec. Community College Work-based Educational Programs with Distance Learning Components S.B. 6295 The workforce training and education coordinating board (WTECB) is directed to convene a working group to take actions related to electronically distributed learning. These actions include identifying and evaluating current workplace-based educational program... More... IN Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 Postsec. Concurrent Enrollment Partnership and Virtual School Committee H.B. 1246 The bill established the concurrent enrollment partnership to coordinate dual credit programs among high schools and state educational institutions. The commission on higher education is directed to provide support for the partnership. Also creates the interim... More... WA Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 Postsec. Dual Enrollment Online Programs H.B. 3129 The office of the superintendent of public instruction (OSPI) is directed to compile information about online learning programs for high school students to earn college credit and place the information on its website. Directs high schools to ensure that teache... More... ID Issued 09/2007 P-12 Community College Postsec. Distance learning/virtual university Executive Order 19 (Executive Order 2007-12) Designates the Department of Labor as the entity responsible for developing and delivering comprehensive computer-based career information; repeals and replaces Executive Order 2006-04.... More... AL Adopted 09/2007 Postsec. Policy on Distance Education AAC 300-2-3-.04 Defines distance education in agreement with definitions of regional and national accrediting agencies and provides guidelines on how students enrolled in distance education courses and programs are to be counted for various reports that are the Commission's r... More... ID Adopted 08/2007 P-12 Postsec. Postsecondary Specialist Certificate IDAPA 08.02.02 Provides certification to meet the special needs of virtual schools, distant education and public school/postsecondary partnerships. Promotes greater flexibility and increased content competency among teachers and valid certification for higher education facul... More... RI Adopted 04/2007 Postsec. Community College Comprehensive Study on Establishing Distance Learning H.B. 6239 (Resolution) Respectfully requesting the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education to conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility of establishing an accredited distance learning program.... More... ID Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Postsec. Community College Idaho Digital Learning Academy S.B. 1237 (Sections 12-14) Strikes existing provision that funding for the Idaho Digital Learning Academy be provided from an annual budget request to the legislature from the superintendent of public instruction. Creates new section providing that a portion of the annual legislative ap... More... NM Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Postsec. Community College Cyber Academy Act H.B. 201/S.B. 209 Enacts the Cyber Academy Act, provides powers and duties and makes an appropriation. The cyber academy is a collaborative program among the department, the higher education department, telecommunications networks and representatives of other state agencies eng... More... VA Signed into law 02/2007 Postsec. Community College Inmate Online Higher Education H.B. 2041 Empowers the Department of Corrections to develop programs for restricted Internet access to online higher education courses by incarcerated persons. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?071+ful+HB2041ER... More... AZ Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Postsec. E-Learning Information System S.B. 1512 Relates to an integrated instructional and data system warehouse to act as a depository for e- learning information to enhance information and communication between all public schools in the state; includes universities; relates to a digital curriculum; establ... More... OH Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Postsec. Community College Ohio Core Support H.B. 115 Appropriates funds for support of the Ohio Core Program. Funds will be used to: (1) Support the participation of teachers licensed in Ohio and mid-career professionals not currently employed by a school district or licensed to teach at the primary or secondary... More... MS Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Postsec. Community College Virtual School Program/Dual Enrollment H.B. 1130 Authorizes the establishment of a Virtual Public School Program; provides for the creation of high school and university or community college dual enrollment program; provides for the payment of tuition and costs for university and community college level cour... More... IL Adopted 02/2006 Community College Postsec. Interdistrict Cooperative Agreements 23 IAC 1501.307 Expands the rules for cooperative agreements to allow one community college to award a degree or certificate offered by another community college through the state's online cooperative agreement. pp 79-89 of 1528 http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/i... More... NE Signed into law 05/2005 P-12 Postsec. Community College Distance Education Enhancement Task Force L.B. 689 Creates and provides duties for the Distance Education Enhancement Task Force. http://www.legislature.ne.gov/FloorDocs/99/PDF/Slip/LB689.pdf... More... CO Signed into law 05/2004 Community College Postsec. Restructuring of Community Colleges H.B. 1086 Enacts recommendations of governor's task force on the community college system; reduction of the system office's administrative costs by 35% and use of saved funds to finance recommendations including installation of a systemwide information technology system... More... VA Signed into law 04/2004 Postsec. Community College Institute for Advanced Learning and Research H.B. 933 Adds the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research to the list of those entities characterized as "educational institutions" and "governmental instrumentalities for the dissemination of education." This designation will not empower the Institute to establis... More... VA Signed into law 04/2004 Postsec. Community College Institute for Advanced Learning and Research H.B. 932 Increases the membership of the governing board of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research from nine to 15 by adding six citizen representatives, two each appointed by the Governor, the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, and the Speaker of ... More... MT Rule Adoption 03/2004 P-12 Postsec. Distance/Online/Technology Delivered Learning ARM 10.55.907 Establishes rules relating to distance, online, and technology delivered learning. MONTANA REG 4484 (SN)... More... VA Signed into law 03/2004 Postsec. Community College Distance Learning H.B. 617 Effective January 1, 2005, each public institution of higher education shall include in its strategic plan information indicating to what extent, if any, it will use distance learning to expand access, improve quality, and minimize the cost of education. For i... More... NC Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Postsec. Innovative Education Initiatives Act S.B. 656 Creates the Innovative Education Initiatives Act to develop cooperative efforts between secondary schools and institutions of higher education to reduce dropout rates, increase high school and college graduation rates and decrease the need for higher education... More... LA Signed into law 06/2003 Postsec. Internet Operated Schools Are Included Proprietary H.B. 456 Provides that schools which operate over the Internet are included in the definition of proprietary schools; increases membership of the advisory commission on proprietary schools from eight to nine members, so that the board of regents appoints two members ra... More... NM Signed into law 04/2003 P-12 Postsec. Accessible Electronic Formats H.B. 708 Relates to education; provides for accessible electronic formats for individuals with disabilities enrolled in distance learning courses of study and using computer-based instructional materials. http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/03%20Regular/FinalVersions/hou... More... NH Signed into law 07/2001 Postsec. Franchise Rights for On-Line Course Providers H.B. 412 Requires the Public Higher Education Committee to study the feasibility of granting state franchise rights to the providers of on-line education courses which may include state university system and regional community-technical college system; requires that th... More... PA Signed into law 06/2001 Postsec. Community College Multiple Amendments S.B. 485 Act No. 35 of 2001., Amends Public School Code. Provides for school districts, national assessment tests, school director relations with districts, management reports, distressed districts, equipment, duty to employ qualified professionals, continuing developm... More... ME Signed into law 05/2001 Postsec. Exemption of Immunization Laws for Distance Education Students H.B. 748 (Public Law No. 87., 95 LD 967) Provides an exemption to the immunization laws for students who enroll in distance education programs offered by colleges, universities, technical colleges and schools for the health professions; provides this exemption applies ... More... CA Signed into law 09/2000 Postsec. Distance Learning Program A.B. 1123 Establishes the California Distance learning Policy. Requires the California Postsecondary Commission to convene an intersegmental working group to determine state funding priorities consistent with the institutional missions of the segments of higher educatio... More... ME Signed into law 04/2000 Postsec. Access to State Technical College System S.B. 973 (LD 2519) Increases access to the State's Technical College System; provides funding to add additional students systemwide; addresses the State Technical College System's need to provide students with the ability to take courses and do research over the intern... More... CO Signed into law 03/2000 Postsec. Technology in Higher Education S.B. 183 Concerns the role of higher education in the development of technology; encourages higher education institutions and systems to participate in the development of information technology education, innovation, and commerce; intends that the educational program d... More... WA Signed into law 03/2000 Postsec. Study of Distance Education H.B. 2952 Directs the higher education coordinating board, in conjunction with the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, the Office of Financial Management and the state institutions of higher education to study distance education and to provide a study; defi... More...