<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" citation="COMAR 13B.02.05.07" title_num="13B" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="05" heading="Student Complaints Against In-State SARA Institutions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Scope.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>This regulation applies to SARA distance education provided by in-State SARA institutions to students residing in Maryland, and to students residing in other states.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>This regulation does not affect or limit the rights of students or of the State to pursue other remedies available under the law, including the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A student who receives SARA distance education from an in-State SARA institution may, after the student has exhausted the institution’s procedures for the resolution of grievances, and within 2 years of the incident about which the complaint is made, file a written complaint to the Commission, in a form prescribed by the Secretary, alleging that the institution:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Has engaged in dishonest or fraudulent activity; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Has operated a course or a program contrary to practices set forth in the C-RAC guidelines in a way that has harmed the student.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A complaint made under §B of this regulation may include, but is not limited to, allegations that the institution provided false or misleading:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Recruitment or marketing materials;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Job placement data;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Information about tuition, fees, or financial aid;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Information about admission requirements;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Information about the institution’s accreditation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Information about whether course work meets relevant professional licensing requirements or the requirements of specialized accrediting bodies; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Information about the transferability of course work to other institutions.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The Secretary shall send a copy of a complaint received under §C of this regulation to the institution that is the subject of the complaint.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Within 30 days of the date that the Secretary sends a copy of a complaint received under §D of this regulation to an institution, the institution shall provide a written response in a form prescribed by the Secretary.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Within 30 days of the date the Secretary receives the institution’s response under §E of this regulation, or if the Secretary receives no response under §E of this regulation, the Secretary shall issue a notice to the institution containing:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Secretary’s findings regarding the complaint;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The actions that the institution shall take, if any, to comply with the requirements set forth in this chapter; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The consequences of failing to take the actions prescribed by the Secretary, which may include the termination of the institution’s participation in SARA under Regulation .08 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>