(a)    In this section, “national accreditation” means teacher education accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the Department and the Commission.

(b)    (1)    An institution of higher education in this State may not offer a program of undergraduate or graduate studies that would certify a recipient to teach unless the institution has received:

(i)    Approval to operate by the Commission or under operation of law; and

(ii)    1.    National accreditation; or

2.    Approval by the Department.

(2)    An institution of higher education shall determine whether to seek national accreditation or approval by the Department as described under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(c)    When determining whether an accrediting agency is recognized, the Department and the Commission shall consider whether the national accrediting agency uses national professional standards that are comparable to the standards that are used by the Department when approving a teacher preparation program.

(d)    The Department and the Commission shall jointly agree on the standards used by the Department to determine approval under subsection (b)(1)(ii) of this section.

(e)    The national accreditation process for an institution of higher education subject to this section shall be conducted in accordance with the protocol established by a national accrediting agency and the Department.

(f)    (1)    In conjunction with accrediting agencies, the Department shall develop and administer a program of technical support, available on request, to assist institutions of higher education in the State that seek national accreditation or approval by the Department under subsection (b) of this section.

(2)    In addition to the technical support provided to an institution of higher education under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Department shall pay:

(i)    Any fee that a national accrediting agency charges an institution of higher education in connection with the accreditation process;

(ii)    Any training fee that a national accrediting agency charges a State representative who serves with a review team of an accrediting agency in conjunction with an accreditation visit to an institution of higher education in the State; and

(iii)    One–half of the expenses incurred by an institution of higher education in connection with the accreditation visit of a review team of a national accrediting agency.

(g)    The Department shall adopt regulations to implement this section.

(h)    The Governor shall provide sufficient funds in the Department’s annual budget for the additional costs incurred by the Department under this section.