House approves first-in-the-nation student Bill of Rights

An Act Concerning A Student Loan Bill of Rights unanimously passed the House of Representatives this afternoon.

If approved in the Senate and signed by the governor, the state would become the first to create a student-loan ombudsman to help students and parents while keeping an eye on loan companies.

“Connecticut has the chance to once again lead the nation by establishing a Student Loan Bill of Rights,” said Rep Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, co-chairman of the Banking Committee. “This bipartisan legislation will serve to both inform and protect students and parents in regards to the complicated student loan process, giving them somewhere to turn when the process becomes overwhelming. I hope that my colleagues in the state senate will adopt this legislation soon for the sake of the 64 percent of graduates in Connecticut with student loan debt.”