HB 1473 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in higher education accountability and transparency, providing for department approval for campus closures.

PRINTER'S NO.    1734

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1473
                                                Session of
                                                  2025

     INTRODUCED BY KRUPA, M. BROWN, BARTON, FINK, GILLEN, ANDERSON
        AND WARNER, MAY 16, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 21, 2025


                                     AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the public school system, including certain
 3      provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
 4      schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
 5      laws relating thereto," in higher education accountability
 6      and transparency, providing for department approval for
 7      campus closures.
 8      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 9   hereby enacts as follows:
10      Section 1.     The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
11   as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
12   section to read:
13   Section 2007-H.    Department approval for campus closures.
14      (a)     Legislative findings.--The General Assembly finds as
15   follows:
16            (1)   The Commonwealth provides substantial funding to
17      State-related universities.
18            (2)   As a publicly funded land-grant university, The
19      Pennsylvania State University has a duty to provide
20      educational opportunities to all Pennsylvanians, including
 1      those individuals in rural and underprivileged areas.
 2            (3)   The closure of a branch campus without a plan to
 3      maintain regional access to quality higher education is an
 4      inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars.
 5            (4)   State-related universities must provide alternative
 6      educational options to students prior to considering campus
 7      closures.
 8      (b)   Duty to submit alternative education plan.--Beginning
 9   with the 2025-2026 school year and continuing each school year
10   thereafter, if a State-related university intends to close a
11   campus, the State-related university shall submit an alternative
12   education plan to the department prior to the closure. The plan
13   shall outline the educational opportunities in the region for
14   students and may include:
15            (1)   a partnership with a public institution of higher
16      education to ensure continued access to postsecondary
17      education in the region;
18            (2)   satellite classroom programs that allow students to
19      complete their degrees locally; or
20            (3)   a tuition assistance program to assist with the
21      costs for affected students who must travel for continued
22      education.
23      (c)   Review of plan by department.--
24            (1)   The department shall review an alternative education
25      plan submitted under subsection (b).
26            (2)   If the department determines that the plan complies
27      with the requirements of this section, the department shall
28      approve the plan.
29            (3)   If the department determines that the plan does not
30      comply with the requirements of this section, the department

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 1      shall disapprove the plan and notify the State-related
 2      university of the disapproval and the reason for the
 3      disapproval.
 4            (4)   The State-related university may resubmit to the
 5      department a plan within 30 days of the disapproval.
 6            (5)   The department shall review a resubmitted plan for
 7      compliance with the requirements of this section and proceed
 8      under paragraph (2) or (3), as applicable.
 9            (6)   If the department fails to make a determination on a
10      plan submitted under this section within 30 days of receipt
11      of the plan, the plan shall be deemed disapproved.
12      (d)   Effect of noncompliance.--If a State-related university
13   fails to submit a plan as required under this section or the
14   department disapproves a plan, the State-related university may
15   not receive payment from an appropriation for that fiscal year.
16      (e)   Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
17   words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
18   subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
19      "Public institution of higher education."    Any of the
20   following:
21            (1)   A community college operating under Article XIX-A.
22            (2)   A rural regional college established under Article
23      XIX-G.
24            (3)   A university within the State System of Higher
25      Education under Article XX-A.
26            (4)   A State-related university.
27            (5)   The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
28      "State-related university."     The Pennsylvania State
29   University, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University,
30   Lincoln University and their branch campuses.

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1     Section 2.    This act shall take effect immediately.




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