Connecticut SB 396: AN ACT PERMITTING NINETY-CREDIT DEGREE PROGRAMS AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE.

Bill Text

LCO No. 2037 1 of 2

General Assembly Raised Bill No. 396
February Session, 2026 LCO No. 2037

Referred to Committee on HIGHER EDUCATION AND
EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT

Introduced by:
(HED)

AN ACT PERMITTING NINETY-CREDIT DEGREE PROGRAMS AT
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 10a-34 of the general statutes is amended by adding 1
subsection (m) as follows (Effective July 1, 2026): 2
(NEW) (m) The Office of Higher Education shall permit institutions 3
of higher education in the state to submit an application for a new 4
degree program through which a degree may be earned after the 5
completion of not fewer than ninety credit hours, provided such 6
program has accreditation recognized by the Secretary of the United 7
States Department of Education. The office shall conduct a review of 8
each application submitted under this subsection pursuant to the 9
provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, a focused or on-10
site review, when necessary. 11
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Raised Bill No. 396

LCO No. 2037 2 of 2

Section 1 July 1, 2026 10a-34(m)

Statement of Purpose:
To permit ninety-credit degree programs at institutions of higher
education.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
underlined.]