HARTFORD — Senators voted Thursday to ban Connecticut colleges and universities from withholding student transcripts from potential employers because of unpaid debt.
of legislationThe bill was advanced with unanimous consent in the Senate, according to the state.
Slap called such retention policies “wise and stupid” despite being common in many higher education institutions.
rear claim in similar terms Although voted down in Congress last year, Slap has reached a compromise with state colleges and universities to require schools to end the use of holds only if the debtor seeks employment or enlists in the military. said to have reached
“They know that students are more likely to be able to pay for tuition.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) also endorsed the bill on Thursday, calling it “a law of common sense and common sense.”
In testimony presented to lawmakers ahead of hearings in February, leaders of the state’s higher education institutions expressed support for the narrow scope of the law while defending the broader practice of financial withholding. .
“Transcript withholding policies force higher education institutions to immediately go to collection agencies, which can have long-term, detrimental effects on students’ futures and result in much higher costs for students in the long run. You can hold students accountable for their duties without having to run,” said Jennifer Widnes, president of the Connecticut Independent College Council.
Conference members, including Yale University, Quinnipiac University, and Trinity College, universally allow transcripts to be withheld for non-payment of tuition, non-return of books, or student conduct, Widness said. says.
These liabilities are often more than small fees and fines, with 35% worth more than $5,000, she added.
At the University of Connecticut, the amount of outstanding debt owed to the university system exceeded $20 million during the last academic year, officials said.
The bill also received support from former students and nonprofits such as the Hartford Foundation.
Amy Dowell of the Higher Education and Employment Promotion Commission called the hold policy a “transcript trap” and said it disproportionately affects low-income students.
“This punitive and excessive practice prevents students in financial hardship from pursuing further educational opportunities or productive work. It seriously impedes student success,” says Dowel.
New York and California laws go even further, prohibiting all withholding of transcripts for financial reasons. According to the National Center for Consumer LawMore restrictive prohibitions apply in Maine, Colorado, Minnesota and Washington.
After passing the Senate on Thursday, the bill is now sent to the House for further consideration.
