New Mexico Register / Volume XXIX, Issue 19 / October 16, 2018

Notice of proposed rulemaking

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED or department) will hold a public rulemaking hearing on November 16, 2018. The hearing will begin at 2:00 p.m. and will be held at NMHED located at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505. The purpose of the rulemaking hearing is to take public comment regarding proposed rulemaking adopting a new rule 5.99.2 NMAC, CLOSURE OF A DISTANCE EDUCATION INSTITUTION.

Purpose:

Whereas by statute the department is charged with oversight of public and private post-secondary institutions operating under the Interstate Distance Education Act, the department proposes a new rule 5.99.2 NMAC to establish regulations for the closure of any postsecondary distance education institution operating pursuant to the Interstate Distance Education Act.

Summary of proposed rule:

The department proposes adoption of new rule 5.99.2 NMAC. The new proposed rule provides oversight, standards, regulations, and the administrative process for institutions that seek to cease operations or offerings or permanently close, and are providing distance education pursuant to the Interstate Distance Education Act. The new rule establishes requirements for notices, plans, reports, procedures and standards related to teach-out agreements, and student records.

Details for Obtaining a Copy, Public Hearing and Comments: The proposed rules are available at NMHED located at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505-2100. The proposed rules are also posted on the NMHED website and may be accessed at http://www.hed.state.nm.us/ under the “Events” section. To request that a copy of the proposed rules be sent to you by mail or e-mail, please contact HigherEd.Info@state.nm.us OR (505) 476-8411.

A public hearing will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at NMHED on November 16, 2018. Any person who is or may be affected by these proposed rules may appear and testify. Interested persons may submit written comments to NMHED at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505 or HigherEd.Info@state.nm.us. Written comments must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on November 15, 2018. Please note that any written comments received will become part of the rulemaking record, be posted to the New Mexico Sunshine Portal, and be accessible to the public. If submitting written comments by email, please indicate in the subject line the number and section of each rule(s) for which you are providing comments. Oral comments will also be accepted at the rule hearing, subject to time limitations.

Legal authority for this rulemaking can be found in Section 9-25-1 et seq. NMSA 1978, Section 21-1-26 NMSA 1978 and Section 21-23B-1 et seq. NMSA 1978.

Any person with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing should contact (505) 476-8411 ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.