1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Higher Education Standards Improvement Act . 2. State responsibilities Section 495(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1099a(a) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) by inserting and the accrediting agency or association involved after Secretary ; (B) by striking revokes a license and inserting takes a negative action, or revokes a license, ; and (C) by striking and at the end; (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (4) evaluate each institution of higher education located in the State or seeking authorization to operate in the State to determine if such institution of higher education meets the applicable standards of the State relating to— (A) facilities, equipment, and supplies; and (B) measures of program length and other factors relevant for a student or graduate to receive a professional license from the State; (5) certify to the Secretary that the State shall— (A) accept student complaints from— (i) all students attending an institution of higher education located in the State; and (ii) all students who are residents of the State and attend an institution of higher education not located in the State through correspondence or distance education; and (B) report to the Secretary and accrediting bodies— (i) relevant student complaints received by the State, including multiple student complaints that present consistent allegations with respect to an institution of higher education in the State; and (ii) such othe r complaints the Secretary determines necessary; and (6) establish policies and procedures to anticipate and respond to the closure of an institution of higher education, which shall include— (A) the maintenance of sufficient cash reserves (or an equivalent alternative) in accordance with regulations issued pursuant to section 498(c)(6)(A) to ensure repayment of any required refunds