(A) As used in this section:

(1) “State institution of higher education” means an institution of higher education as defined in section 3345.12 of the Revised Code.

(2) “State university” has the same meaning as in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.

(B) The chancellor of higher education shall do all of the following:

(1) Establish policies and procedures applicable to all state institutions of higher education that ensure that students can begin higher education at any state institution of higher education and transfer coursework and degrees to any other state institution of higher education without unnecessary duplication or institutional barriers. The purpose of this requirement is to allow students to attain their highest educational aspirations in the most efficient and effective manner for the students and the state. These policies and procedures shall require state institutions of higher education to make changes or modifications, as needed, to strengthen course content so as to ensure equivalency for that course at any state institution of higher education.

(2) Develop and implement a universal course equivalency classification system for state institutions of higher education so that the transfer of students and the transfer and articulation of equivalent courses or specified learning modules or units completed by students are not inhibited by inconsistent judgment about the application of transfer credits. Coursework completed within such a system at one state institution of higher education and transferred to another institution shall be applied to the student’s degree objective in the same manner as equivalent coursework completed at the receiving institution.

(3) Develop an electronic equivalency management tool to assist in the transfer of coursework and degrees between state institutions of higher education without unnecessary duplication or institutional barriers, to help minimize inconsistent judgment about the application of transfer credits, and to assist in allowing transfer credits to be applied to a student’s degree objective in the same manner at each state institution of higher education. The electronic equivalency management tool shall include the universal documentation of course and program equivalencies statewide. Additionally, the electronic equivalency management tool shall be incorporated into a web site.

(4) Develop a system of transfer policies that ensure that graduates with associate degrees which include completion of approved transfer modules shall be admitted to a state institution of higher education, shall be able to compete for admission to specific programs on the same basis as students native to the institution, and shall have priority over out-of-state associate degree graduates and transfer students. To assist a student in advising and transferring, all state institutions of higher education shall fully implement the information system for advising and transferring selected by, contracted for, or developed by the chancellor.

(5) Examine the feasibility of developing a transfer marketing agenda that includes materials and interactive technology to inform the citizens of Ohio about the availability of transfer options at state institutions of higher education and to encourage adults to return to colleges and universities for additional education;

(6) Study, in consultation with the state board of career colleges and schools, and in light of existing criteria and any other criteria developed by the articulation and transfer advisory council, the feasibility of credit recognition and transferability to state institutions of higher education for graduates who have received associate degrees from a career college or school with a certificate of registration from the state board of career colleges and schools under Chapter 3332 of the Revised Code.

(C) All provisions of the existing articulation and transfer policy developed by the chancellor shall remain in effect except where amended by this section.

(D) Not later than December 1, 2018, the chancellor shall update and implement the policies and procedures established pursuant to this section to ensure that any associate degree offered at a state institution of higher education may be transferred and applied to a bachelor degree program in an equivalent field at any other state institution of higher education without unnecessary duplication or institutional barriers. The policies and procedures shall ensure that each transferred associate degree applies to the student’s degree objective in the same manner as equivalent coursework completed by the student at the receiving institution.

When updating and implementing the policies and procedures pursuant to this division, the chancellor shall seek input from faculty and academic leaders in each academic field or discipline.

(E) If a state university refuses to accept and grant credit for any general education coursework that is both completed at a different state institution of higher education and subject to the policies, procedures, or systems prescribed under division (B) of this section, the state university shall provide the student that did not receive college credit for the completed general education coursework information to utilize the institution’s transfer appeal process and information to utilize the department of higher education’s student complaint portal.

(F) The Ohio articulation and transfer network oversight board established by the chancellor shall conduct a study of current rules regarding the transfer of college credit between state institutions of higher education. Not later than one year after the effective date of this amendment, the board shall issue a report to the general assembly, in accordance with section 101.68 of the Revised Code, that includes the findings of the board’s study, as well as any recommendations regarding changes to the rules.