Fairness in Higher Education Accreditation Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 5121 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5121 To modify the criteria for recognition of accrediting agencies or associations for institutions of higher education. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 3, 2025 Ms. Stefanik (for herself, Mr. McDowell, and Mr. Norman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To modify the criteria for recognition of accrediting agencies or associations for institutions of higher education. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Fairness in Higher Education Accreditation Act''. SEC. 2. CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION OF ACCREDITING AGENCIES OR ASSOCIATIONS. Section 496 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in paragraph (5)-- (i) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon; (ii) in subparagraph (J), by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon; and (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (J), and before the flush text, the following: ``(K) except in the case of an institution described in subsection (r)(2), success in ensuring a right of free inquiry (as defined in subsection (r)(1));''; (B) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon; (C) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by adding at the end the following: ``(9) such accrediting agency or association will not impose requirements, establish standards, conduct investigations, or make recommendations concerning-- ``(A) the race, color, sex, or national origin composition of the student body, faculty, or staff; ``(B) th