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This bill establishes stricter requirements for colleges and universities that want to switch their accrediting agency, which is the organization responsible for evaluating educational quality. Before switching accreditors, institutions must submit an application to the Secretary of Education that explains their reasons for the change, demonstrates how the new accreditor aligns with their mission, and provides supporting documentation including recent inspection reports and any pending complaints. The Secretary must publish the application for public comment, allow at least 30 days for feedback, and review the application to determine whether the institution is trying to avoid sanctions, reduce oversight, or escape scrutiny by regulators. The bill automatically denies applications from institutions that have had their accreditation withdrawn in the past 24 months or that are currently on probation or under show cause orders. The Secretary has up to 90 days to approve or deny the application, with an additional 90 days available if needed for thorough review. The bill also requires new accrediting agencies to have at least two years of experience and meet specific standards before receiving federal recognition. These requirements apply to any accreditor seeking new or renewed recognition after the bill's enactment and to any college attempting to switch accreditors afterward.

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