H.R. 468

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education, as a condition of participation in programs under title IV of such Act, to establish a policy to award posthumous degrees to certain deceased students, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · January 15, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Velázquez · Committee: Committee on Education and Workforce

Table of contents

• H.R. 468
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Requirement to award posthumous degrees

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as Mel’s Law.

SEC. 2. Requirement to award posthumous degrees

• (a) Posthumous degrees
  • Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 () is amended by adding at the end the following: 20 U.S.C. 1094(a)
    • The institution certifies that the institution has established a policy to award posthumous degrees to deceased students who—
      • had been enrolled in a degree program at the institution;
      • died prior to completing such program; and
      • at the time of death, were in academic standing consistent with the requirements for graduation from such program, as determined by the institution.
• (b) Accreditation criteria
  • Section 496(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 () is amended— 20 U.S.C. 1099b(a)
    • by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (8) as paragraphs (7) through (9), respectively; and
      • the standards for accreditation of the agency or association do not take into consideration the number of posthumous degrees awarded by the institution to deceased students;
    • by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
• (c) Effective date
  • The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.