HIGHER ED-DISTANCE LEARNING Senate SponsorsSen. Pat McGuire-Dan Kotowski House Sponsors(Rep. Robert W. Pritchard-Naomi D. Jakobsson-Robert F. Martwick-Kenneth Dunkin) 7/25/2014SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 98-0792 New Act30 ILCS 105/5.855 newCreates the Higher Education Distance Learning Act. Provides that in recent years, distance education offered by institutions of higher learning has been increasing, with such distance education being offered on an interstate basis by many institutions. Provides that the provision of distance education is declared to affect the public safety and welfare and shall be subject to regulation and control in the public interest. Provides that the Board of Higher Education is authorized to participate in a state authorization reciprocity agreement on behalf of this State. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall be the lead agency in coordinating interstate reciprocity for distance learning for participating institutions in this State. Sets forth provisions governing agreements where Illinois is the home state or the reciprocal state. Provides that this Act applies only to distance learning programs and authorizes the Board of Higher Education to adopt rules for the execution of its powers and duties under the Act. Creates the Distance Learning Fund to supplement support for the administration and enforcement of the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Distance Learning Fund.Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill with the following changes. Defines "distance learning" and removes the definitions of "institution of higher learning" and "mediated instruction". Provides for a student refund policy offered by participating institutions of higher learning. Requires equitable treatment of students regarding remedies, services, and redress under the Act regardless of their state residency. Makes other changes.House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that nothing in the Higher Education Distance Learning Act shall be construed to affect the authority of the Attorney General to enforce the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the federal Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010. 2/14/2014SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Pat McGuire 2/14/2014SenateFirst Reading 2/14/2014SenateReferred to Assignments 3/5/2014SenateAssigned to Higher Education 3/18/2014SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Pat McGuire 3/18/2014SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments 3/19/2014SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Higher Education 3/19/2014SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted 3/20/2014SenateDo Pass as Amended Higher Education; 012-000-000 3/20/2014SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 21, 2014 3/27/2014SenateSecond Reading 3/27/2014SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 1, 2014 4/1/2014SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Dan Kotowski 4/9/2014SenateThird Reading - Passed; 056-000-000 4/9/2014HouseArrived in House 4/9/2014HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Robert W. Pritchard 4/9/2014HouseFirst Reading 4/9/2014HouseReferred to Rules Committee 4/28/2014HouseAssigned to Higher Education Committee 5/7/2014HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Higher Education Committee; 013-000-000 5/7/2014HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 5/7/2014HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Robert W. Pritchard 5/7/2014HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee 5/12/2014HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee; 003-000-000 5/14/2014HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Naomi D. Jakobsson 5/15/2014HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 5/15/2014HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted 5/15/2014HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 5/23/2014HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 109-000-002 5/23/2014HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Robert F. Martwick 5/23/2014HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kenneth Dunkin 5/23/2014SenateSecretary's Desk - Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1 5/23/2014SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1 - May 26, 2014 5/27/2014SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Filed with Secretary Sen. Pat McGuire 5/27/2014SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments 5/27/2014SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Assignments Referred to Higher Education 5/30/2014SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments 5/30/2014SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Be Approved for Consideration Assignments 5/30/2014SenateHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs 057-000-000 5/30/2014SenatePassed Both Houses 6/27/2014SenateSent to the Governor 7/25/2014SenateGovernor Approved 7/25/2014SenateEffective Date January 1, 2015 7/25/2014SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 98-0792