AUTHENTIC CREDENTIALS IN EDUCATION S.B. 136 (S-5): FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 136 (Substitute S-5 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Senator Tom George
Committee: Education
CONTENT
The bill would create the "Authentic Credentials in Education Act" to prohibit a person from issuing or using a false academic credential, or claiming to have an academic credential he or she did not have; and allow a person damaged by a violation of the bill to bring a civil action to recover damages.
Specifically, the bill would prohibit a person from knowingly issuing or manufacturing a false academic credential. Also, an individual would be prohibited from knowingly using a false academic credential to obtain employment; to obtain a promotion or higher compensation in employment; to obtain admission to a qualified institution; or in connection with any loan, business, trade, profession, or occupation.
Further, an individual who did not have an academic credential would be prohibited from knowingly using or claming to have that academic credential to obtain employment or a promotion or higher compensation in employment; to obtain admission to a qualified institution; or in connection with any loan, business, trade, profession, or occupation.
A person damaged by a violation of the bill could bring a civil action and could recover costs, reasonable attorney fees, and the greater of either the person's actual damages or $10,000.
"Academic credential" would mean a degree or a diploma, transcript, educational or completion certificate, or similar document that indicated completion of a program of study or instruction, or completion of one or more courses at an institution of higher education, or the grant of an associate, bachelor, master, or doctoral degree. "False academic credential" would mean an academic credential issued or manufactured by a person other than a qualified institution.
"Qualified institution" would mean an institution of higher education, as that term is defined in Title 20, Section 1001 of the United States Code (20 USC 1001), or any other institution of higher education authorized to do business in the State.
Legislative Analyst: Claire Layman
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 3-15-05 Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Pratt
floor\sb136 Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb136/0506