Section 49-7-2002 - Legislative intent(a)(1) It is the purpose of this part to provide for the protection, education, and welfare of the citizens of this state, its postsecondary educational institutions, and its students, through regulatory oversight to ensure consumer protections are appropriately maintained, while also acknowledging the heightened standards institutions may achieve and maintain through academic accreditors.(2) The commission shall accomplish the provisions of this part by:(A) Authorizing the granting of degrees, diplomas, certificates, or other educational credentials by postsecondary educational institutions and prohibiting the granting of false or misleading educational credentials;(B) Establishing minimum standards concerning the provision of education, ethical business practices, and fiscal responsibility to protect against substandard, transient, unethical, deceptive, or fraudulent institutions and practices;(C) Providing certain rights and remedies to the consuming public and the commission necessary to effectuate the purposes of this part;(D) Prohibiting misleading literature, advertising, solicitation, or representation by educational institutions or their agents; and(E) Providing formal authorization to postsecondary educational institutions that meet minimum standards and operate lawfully in compliance with this part.(b) [Deleted by 2022 amendment.]Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1044, Secs.s3, s4 eff. 7/1/2022.Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1044, s 2, eff. 7/1/2022.Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 868, s 2, eff. 10/1/2016.Acts 1961, ch. 112, § 2; 1965, ch. 350, § 2; 1967, ch. 355, § 34; 1974, ch. 781, § 2; T.C.A., § 49-3902.