96-8134. Request for Comments Concerning Guides for Private Vocational Schools

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 3, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14685-14686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8134]



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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 254


Request for Comments Concerning Guides for Private Vocational 
Schools

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (the ``Commission'') is 
requesting public comments on its Guide for Private Vocational Schools. 
The Commission is also requesting comments about the overall costs and 
benefits of the guides and their overall regulatory and economic impact 
as part of its systematic review of all current Commission regulations 
and guides.

DATES: Written comments will be accepted until May 3, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: Secretary, Federal Trade 
Commission, Room H-159, Sixth and Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20580. Comments about the Guides for Private Vocational Schools 
should be identified as ``16 CFR Part 254--Comment.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joseph J. Koman, Jr., Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer 
Protection, Division of Enforcement, Room S-4302, 601 Pennsylvania 
Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580, [phone], or Walter Gross 
III, Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division 
of Service Industry Practices, Room H-200, Sixth Street and 
Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission has determined, as part of 
its oversight responsibilities, to review rules and guides 
periodically. These reviews seek information about the costs and 
benefits of the Commission's rules and guides and their regulatory and 
economic impact. The information obtained assists the Commission in 
identifying rules and guides that warrant modification or recision.
    At this time, the Commission solicits written public comments 
concerning the Commission's Guides for Private Vocational Schools, 16 
CFR Part 254. These guides, like the other industry guides issued by 
the Commission, ``are

[[Page 14686]]
administrative interpretations of laws administered by the Commission 
for the guidance of the public in conducting its affairs in conformity 
with legal requirements.'' 16 CFR 1.5. Conduct inconsistent with the 
guides may result in corrective action by the Commission under 
applicable statutory provisions.
    The Private Vocational Schools Guides provide guidance about 
acceptable and unacceptable claims made in advertising, or other 
promotional materials, however disseminated, for resident or 
correspondence courses or training or instruction programs by private 
career or vocational schools. Specifically, the guides pertain to 
claims about the nature of the school, its accreditation, programs of 
instruction or methods of teaching and available employment 
opportunities. The guides also include provisions on representations 
concerning financial assistance, appropriate disclosures as to the 
nature of courses or training programs offered, pictorial or other 
misrepresentations, deceptive prices, and sales, collection and credit 
practices.
    Accordingly, the Commission solicits public comments on the 
following questions:
    1. Is there a continuing need for the Guides?
    a. What benefits have the Guides provided to purchasers of the 
products or services affected by the Guides?
    b. Have the Guides imposed costs on purchasers?
    2. What changes, if any, should be made to the Guides to increase 
the benefits of the Guides to purchasers?
    a. How would these changes affect the costs the Guides impose on 
firms subject to their requirements?
    3. What significant burdens or costs, including costs of adherence, 
have the Guides imposed on firms subject to their requirements?
    a. Have the Guides provided benefits to such firms?
    4. What changes, if any, should be made to the Guides to reduce the 
burdens or costs imposed on firms subject to their requirements?
    a. How would these changes affect the benefits provided by the 
Guides?
    5. Do the Guides overlap or conflict with other federal, state, or 
local laws or regulations?
    6. Since the Guides were issued, what effects, if any, have changes 
in relevant technology or economic conditions had on the Guides?
    7. Are there problems today in the marketing of vocational school 
programs or correspondence courses? If yes, what is the nature of these 
problems? Do the Guides adequately address any problems that may 
exists?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 41-58.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 254

    Advertising, Trade practices.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-8134 Filed 4-2-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M