The U.S. Department of Education released draft regulations to overhaul accreditation, including provisions meant to make it easier for new accreditors to gain federal recognition and to require agencies’ standards tied to “intellectual diversity.” The proposal also would require accreditors to comply with federal and state laws, including prohibitions on preferential treatment based on protected characteristics. The draft aligns with prior federal direction aimed at limiting DEI-related standards by accrediting bodies and follows legal setbacks over the department’s interpretation of civil rights requirements. The draft arrives ahead of negotiated rulemaking, with a first round of policy discussions scheduled to begin next week. Accrediting agencies and member institutions face a timeline shift—potentially affecting compliance planning for federal student aid eligibility, governance expectations, and how accrediting standards are written and enforced.