S.2026 - Court Legal Access and Student Support Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.2026, the Court Legal Access and Student Support Act of 2025 (CLASS Act), aims to protect students from certain limitations imposed by institutions of higher education. Specifically, it prevents the enforcement of mandatory arbitration agreements and restrictions on students' ability to pursue claims against these institutions in court. The bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ensure students can pursue legal action without limitations on choice of law, jury trials, or venue.
Expected Effects
The CLASS Act will likely increase the legal recourse available to students against institutions of higher education. This could lead to more lawsuits against colleges and universities. It may also incentivize institutions to improve their practices to avoid litigation.
Potential Benefits
- Empowers students by removing barriers to legal action against institutions.
- Increases accountability of higher education institutions.
- Protects students' rights to pursue claims in court.
- May lead to improved institutional practices and student protections.
- Provides students with greater legal options and recourse.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could increase litigation costs for institutions, potentially leading to higher tuition fees.
- May create an environment of increased legal disputes between students and institutions.
- Could lead to frivolous lawsuits, burdening the court system.
- May increase administrative costs for institutions to manage legal risks.
- Could potentially disincentivize institutions from offering certain programs or services due to increased liability.
Constitutional Alignment
The CLASS Act aligns with constitutional principles by promoting access to justice and protecting individual rights. While the Constitution does not explicitly address arbitration agreements in the context of higher education, the spirit of due process and equal protection under the law (Amendments V and XIV) supports ensuring individuals have the ability to seek redress in court. The Act does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional provision and aims to balance the rights of students with the operational needs of educational institutions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).