Mel’s Law
Sponsored By: Representative Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
Introduced
Summary
Requires colleges to adopt policies awarding posthumous degrees to students who were enrolled, died before finishing their program, and met the institution’s academic standing for graduation. It would also prevent accreditors from counting posthumous degrees when judging an institution.
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- Families and survivors: Surviving family members could receive a posthumous degree when the student met the school’s graduation standards at the time of death. The final decision and process are set by each institution.
- Colleges and universities: Institutions that take federal Title IV student aid would have to certify they have a posthumous degree policy to remain eligible for those programs.
- Accrediting agencies and standards: Accrediting bodies would be barred from considering the number of posthumous degrees an institution awards. The accreditation change would take effect one year after enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New posthumous degree rules for colleges
This bill would require colleges that get Title IV federal student aid to certify a policy for posthumous degrees. The policy would apply if the student was enrolled, died before finishing, and was in academic standing for graduation at that time, as the school determines. Accrediting agencies would not be allowed to count how many posthumous degrees a school awards when they evaluate it. These rules would take effect one year after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
NY • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
NY • R
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Espaillat
NY • D
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
NY • D
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Cherfilus-McCormick
FL • D
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 7/2/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov