2019 Maryland Code
Commercial Law
Title 13 - Consumer Protection Act
Subtitle 3 - Unfair, Abusive, or Deceptive Trade Practices
§ 13-320. Enrolling students in programs that lead to employment that require licensure or certification
(a) A private career school or for–profit institution of higher education, as defined under § 10–101 of the Education Article, or a for–profit institution of higher education that is required to register with the Maryland Higher Education Commission under § 11–202.2 of the Education Article, may not enroll a student in a program that is intended to lead to employment in a field that requires licensure or certification in the State if:
(1) Successful completion of the educational course offerings in the program at the private career school or for–profit institution of higher education will not meet the State educational requirements for licensure or certification;
(2) The State entity that licenses or certifies individuals in the field requires as a condition of licensure or certification that the private career school or for–profit institution of higher education attended by the individual satisfies a statutory or regulatory requirement, and the school does not satisfy the requirement; or
(3) The private career school or for–profit institution of higher education is aware or reasonably should have been aware of any other factors that may lead to the ineligibility of the student to pursue or obtain licensure or certification in the State.
(b) (1) Before a prospective student signs an enrollment agreement, completes registration, or makes a financial commitment to a private career school, for–profit institution of higher education, or for–profit institution of higher education that is required to register with the Commission, the school or institution shall provide to the student the following information:
(i) The total cost of attendance for the program, as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1087ll;
(ii) The length of the program;
(iii) The number of clock or credit hours, or the equivalent information;
(iv) The school or institution’s cancellation and refund policy;
(v) The program’s completion rates for both full–time and part–time students;
(vi) The program’s withdrawal rates;
(vii) The median combined loan debt for federal loans, institutional loans, and private loans certified by the school or institution, for all students who completed the program during the most recently completed award year;
(viii) The placement rate for the program, if the school or institution is required by its accrediting agency to calculate a placement rate for the program, or the school or institution, or both, using the required methodology of the accrediting agency;
(ix) Whether the program satisfies the applicable educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification in the State; and
(x) The median earnings of former students of the school or institution who received federal financial aid at 10 years after entering the school or institution, as reported on the College Scorecard, if available.
(2) The information described under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be prominently displayed:
(i) In a letter or e–mail to a prospective student that does not contain:
1. Information about a program other than the program in which the student has expressed interest; or
2. Any other substantive information; and
(ii) On the website of each school or institution that is available to a prospective student without the necessity of providing any personal information about the student.
(3) The school or institution shall maintain records of the school’s or institution’s efforts to provide the information described under paragraph (1) of this subsection to a prospective student for at least 5 years after the student enrolls at the school or institution.
