Duties of the office shall include all of the following:

(a) Conducting outreach and providing information and assistance to students who have been affected by the unlawful activities or closure of an institution regarding their rights under state and federal law, including information about how and where to file a complaint, and to ensure that those students successfully access available state and federal relief programs. No later than July 1, 2017, the office shall prioritize and immediately conduct the activities outlined in Section 94949.73.

(b) Serving as a primary point of contact to address the needs of private postsecondary education students and working in consultation with state and federal agencies, including, but not limited to, the Student Aid Commission, the Office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the United States Department of Education.

(c) The office may also conduct both of the following activities:

(1) Provide outreach to students and prospective students to provide them with, among other information, information on making informed decisions in selecting postsecondary educational institutions, student rights regarding school performance disclosures, enrollment agreements, and cancellation and refund policies, how to contact the office and the bureau for assistance, student loan rights and assistance, and free nonprofit community based resources.

(2) Conduct data and information research concerning industry trends and enforcement actions from various sources, including, but not limited to, annual reports provided to the bureau pursuant to Section 94934, the United States Department of Education, accrediting agencies, and the California Department of Veterans Affairs to help determine the trends and potential violations of the act. The office shall advise the director and bureau chief of its findings.

(d) The office shall provide, pursuant to Section 9795 of the Government Code, to the Legislature an annual written update regarding the office’s progress in protecting students and conducting the duties of the office.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 593, Sec. 27. (SB 1192) Effective January 1, 2017. Repealed as of January 1, 2021, pursuant to Section 94950.)