SB 78 Kansas Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Requiring postsecondary educational institutions to regularly review and update accreditation policies, prohibiting accrediting agencies from compelling such institutions to violate state law and providing a cause of action for violations thereof.

SB 78 requires all Kansas postsecondary educational institutions (including state schools, private colleges, community colleges, and independent non-profits) to regularly review and update their accreditation policies by December 31, 2025. It prohibits accrediting agencies from forcing institutions to violate Kansas state law, and allows institutions to sue such agencies for violations. The bill ensures institutions can pursue accreditation through recognized agencies without compromising state law compliance. It also mandates that institutions notify the legislature within 30 days if an accrediting agency violates this provision. This law directly affects how Kansas colleges and universities engage with external accreditation bodies.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Signed Apr 10, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Amended by Senate Committee on Education As Amended by House Committee on Education · 4 edits
MODERATE
The House Committee amended the bill to expand the definition of eligible institutions to include Haskell Indian Nations University and to update the definitions of educational institutions in related statutes. The House also added a new section detailing specific amendments to existing Kansas laws regarding vehicle license plates for educational institutions, replacing the previous general repeal language.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include Haskell Indian Nations University as an eligible postsecondary educational institution and to update definitions in K.S.A. 8-1,142 to reflect current accreditation standards.
ELIGIBILITY

Added "Haskell Indian Nations university" to the list of eligible postsecondary educational institutions.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of "educational institution" in K.S.A. 8-1,142 to include specific accreditation requirements and ensure Haskell Indian Nations University is covered.

REQUIREMENT

Inserted new text amending K.S.A. 8-1,142 to establish license plate provisions for educational institutions, replacing the previous repeal language.

TECHNICAL

Removed the original repeal language for K.S.A. 8-1,142 and replaced it with specific amendment instructions.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
10
Committee
4
Apr 10, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor on Wednesday, March 26, 2025
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Concurred with amendments; Yea 38, Nay 2
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 86, Nay 36, Absent 3
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by House Committee on Education
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Committee
Referred to House Committee on Education
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced
Received and Introduced
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 38, Nay 2
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
upper
Feb 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Education
upper
Jan 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Senate Committee on Education
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.