2018 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) In general. -- 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) Information to be provided to prospective student in advance of enrollment. --
(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; and
(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.
(2)
(i) The information described under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be prominently displayed in a letter or e-mail to a prospective student.
(ii) The letter or e-mail may not contain any other substantive information from the school or institution.
(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.
