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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 13B.02.01.08" title_num="13B" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="01" heading="Institutional Renewal Approval Process.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>An out-of-State institution seeking to continue to operate in Maryland at a previously approved location for an additional year may not operate in Maryland, do business, recruit or enroll students, begin instruction, or promote advanced publicity through advertisements, announcements, or other similar media on proposed courses or programs to be offered in Maryland until it obtains approval from the Secretary in accordance with this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Procedures to Apply for Approval to Continue to Operate in Maryland at a Previously Approved Location.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>To receive approval to continue to operate in Maryland at a previously approved location for an additional year, whether to offer previously approved courses and programs or to offer new courses and programs, the chief executive officer shall submit to the Secretary on the forms provided a written application for authorization to continue to operate in Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>With the exception of an out-of-State institution that is located at and part of a regional higher education center, an out-of-State institution shall submit a nonrefundable application fee in the amount of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>$7,500 for up to two degree programs; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An additional $850 for each degree program over two programs.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The completed application and all supportive documentation for continued operation shall be provided at least 5 months before any existing approval expires.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The application shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Identification of the institution;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Specific mailing address of current operation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Proposed date of continued operation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Identification of authorized representatives;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Board of trustees resolution of financial solvency;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Certificate of incorporation as a foreign (out-of-State) corporation, if required by State law;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Institutional accreditation status with an organization recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education to grant institutional accreditation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Copies of awards;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Programmatic data, including the degree or certificate, the curriculum, and proposed schedule of classes;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>A detailed and accurate description of any proposed new programs and operations including:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The degree and certificate programs to be offered by the institution for these programs;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>A description of the objectives of each new degree and certificate program including the mode of instructional delivery;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>A description of the student population to be served; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>A description of a teach-out plan allowing enrolled students to complete their program if the institution decides to cease operation in Maryland;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>Evidence of a critical and compelling regional or Statewide need and demand for the specific new academic degree programs in a specific geographical region of the State in accordance with Regulation .06 of this chapter;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(l)">
        <text>Data projecting market demand and the availability of openings in the job market to be served by each new program;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(m)">
        <text>Qualification of instructors and staff;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(n)">
        <text>Library resources;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(o)">
        <text>Certificate of compliance with fire and safety codes;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(p)">
        <text>Copies of advertisements; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(q)">
        <text>Enrollment data as prescribed by the Secretary.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Procedures to Apply for Approval for Extended Operation in Maryland.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>During or after the fifth year of operation in Maryland and during any subsequent renewal cycle, an out-of-State institution may apply for approval to operate in Maryland for an extended period of time up to 5 years.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>To receive approval to continue to operate in Maryland at a previously approved location for an extended period, whether to offer previously approved courses and programs or to offer new courses and programs, the chief executive officer shall submit to the Secretary on the forms provided a written application for authorization to continue to operate in Maryland. The completed application and all supportive documentation for continued operation shall be provided at least 5 months before any existing approval expires.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The application shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Identification of the institution;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Specific geographical location of current operation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Proposed date of continued operation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Identification of authorized representatives;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Board of trustees resolution of financial solvency;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Certificate of incorporation as a foreign (out-of-State) corporation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Institutional accreditation status with an organization recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education to grant institutional accreditation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Copies of awards;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Programmatic data, including the degree or certificate, the curriculum, and proposed schedule of classes;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Qualification of instructors and staff;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>Library resources;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(l)">
        <text>Certificate of compliance with fire and safety codes;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(m)">
        <text>Copies of advertisements; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(n)">
        <text>Enrollment data as prescribed by the Secretary.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Application Review, Notice, and Period for Comments and Objections.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Upon submission by an out-of-State institution of the application and documentation required by §B or C of this regulation, the Secretary shall review the application for renewal and documentation to ensure that the institution continues to satisfy the requirements of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Upon receipt of a complete application and documentation, the Secretary shall inform all institutions of higher education and segments of higher education of the proposal.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A 30-day period for comments and objections shall be allowed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Any institution of higher education or segment desiring to raise an objection shall do so during the 30-day comment period.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The Secretary shall consider all comments and objections received before making the final decision.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The Secretary may not consider an objection raised after the 30-day period.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>The Secretary may ask the applicant institution for additional information in response to comments and objections received.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>The 30-day period for comments and objections does not apply to a closed-site institution.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Secretary's Grant of Approval to Operate in Maryland.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Secretary shall renew the out-of-State institution's approval to operate in Maryland at a previously approved location on such conditions as may be considered appropriate, if the Secretary is satisfied that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The application for renewal and documentation submitted by the institution is in compliance with this chapter and the institution is in continued compliance with this chapter;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The institution remains fully accredited by an organization recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The programs to be offered in Maryland remain similar to programs offered at its main or primary campus.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Secretary shall notify the chief executive officer of the institution in writing of the Secretary's decision.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Secretary's Denial of Approval to Continue to Operate in Maryland.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If the Secretary is not satisfied that an out-of-State institution is in continued compliance with this chapter, the Secretary shall issue a notice of deficiencies and deny renewal of the approval to the institution.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Within 20 days of receipt of a notice of deficiencies, the institution denied renewal of the approval to operate in Maryland may request a hearing before the Commission as provided in Education Article, §11-202(f), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The hearing before the Commission shall be conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 13B.04.01.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If the institution requests a hearing, the Commission may refer the hearing to the Office of Administrative Hearings.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>After the hearing in §F(3) of this regulation, the Commission may take the following action:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Grant the renewal of approval to operate;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Deny the renewal of approval to operate; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Remand the case to the Secretary for further action as directed by the Commission.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>If the institution does not file a timely request for a hearing on the notice of deficiencies, the Secretary's decision becomes final.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Completed Application and Documentation.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An application is complete as of the day on which an out-of-State institution submits documentation satisfactory to the Secretary that it has completed the application process.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the Secretary has neither issued a certificate of approval nor a written notice of deficiency within 6 months of the completed application, the institution may request a hearing before the Commission to determine whether a certificate of approval shall be issued.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The request shall be made within 20 days of the expiration of the 6-month period.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 13B.04.01.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Judicial Review.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An out-of-State institution that is denied a renewal of its certificate of approval by the Commission after a hearing granted under §F or G of this regulation has the right to judicial review as provided by State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The decision of the Commission is presumed correct and the institution has the burden of proving otherwise.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Commission shall be a party to the proceeding.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Further Requests by Institution.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>After an out-of-State institution has received extended operational approval, the Commission shall apply the standards set forth in Regulation .06 of this chapter to a request by the institution for approval to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Offer courses not previously approved;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Offer a program not previously approved; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Operate in Maryland at a site not previously approved.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the approval is granted, the approval will be in effect for the duration of the extended approval period.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>