; and (2) because of the institution’s status as a religious institution, the institution is exempt from any provision of State law that requires institutions to be authorized by the State to operate educational programs beyond secondary education. (d) Prohibition on State authorization regulations The Secretary shall not promulgate or enforce any regulation or rule not in effect on the date of enactment of the PROSPER Act for any purpose under this Act with respect to the State authorization for institutions of higher education to operate within a State. . 496. Recognition of accrediting agency or association Section 496 ( 20 U.S.C. 1099b ) is amended— (1) by striking section 102 each place it appears and inserting section 101 ; (2) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (2), by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: (A) for the purpose of participation in programs under this Act or other programs administered by the Department of Education or other Federal agencies, has a voluntary membership of institutions of higher education or other entities and has as a principal purpose the accrediting of institutions of higher education or programs; ; (B) in paragraph (3)— (i) in subparagraph (A)— (I) by striking subparagraph (A)(i) and inserting subparagraph (A) or (C) ; (II) by striking separate and inserting separately incorporated ; and (III) by adding or at the end; (ii) by striking or at the end of subparagraph (B); and (iii) by striking subparagraph (C); (C) in paragraph (4)— (i) in subparagraph (A)— (I) by inserting as defined by the institution after religious missions ; (II) by striking , including distance education or correspondence courses or programs, ; and (III) by striking and at the end