HB 1472 — 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 economic and workforce impact review by State-related universities; and imposing duties of the Department of Labor and Industry.

PRINTER'S NO.     1733

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                          HOUSE BILL
                          No. 1472
                                                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 economic and workforce impact
 7      review by State-related universities; and imposing duties of
 8      the Department of Labor and Industry.
 9      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
10   hereby enacts as follows:
11      Section 1.     The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
12   as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
13   section to read:
14   Section 2007-H.     Economic and workforce impact review by State-
15                  related universities.
16      (a)     Legislative findings.--The General Assembly finds as
17   follows:
18            (1)   The Commonwealth provides substantial funding to
19      State-related universities.
20            (2)   The closure of campuses of institutions of higher
21      education can have severe economic consequences for local
 1    communities.
 2          (3)   Many regional campuses provide essential workforce
 3    training programs, such as nursing and skilled trades, that
 4    are critical to this Commonwealth's economy.
 5          (4)   State-related universities must be held accountable
 6    for ensuring that campus closures do not create long-term
 7    economic or educational harm.
 8    (b)   Economic and workforce impact study.--
 9          (1)   Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and
10    continuing each school year thereafter, a board of trustees
11    shall conduct an economic and workforce impact study prior to
12    the closure of a campus within the State-related university.
13          (2)   The department shall select an independent research
14    institution to conduct the economic and workforce impact
15    study on behalf of the State-related university.
16          (3)   The board of trustees shall transmit the results of
17    the economic and workforce impact study to the following:
18                (i)    The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
19          Appropriations Committee of the Senate.
20                (ii)    The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
21          Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives.
22                (iii)    The chairperson and minority chairperson of
23          the Education Committee of the Senate.
24                (iv)    The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
25          Education Committee of the House of Representatives.
26                (v)    The department.
27                (vi)    A local government affected by the closure.
28                (vii)    Any member of the General Assembly who has an
29          affected campus of the State-related university within
30          the boundaries of the legislative district the member

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 1            represents.
 2            (4)   The board of trustees may not approve the closure if
 3      the economic and workforce impact study reveals that:
 4                  (i)    the closure will result in significant harm to
 5            the local community; or
 6                  (ii)    students will not have reasonable and
 7            affordable alternatives to receiving postsecondary
 8            education.
 9      (c)   Funding contingency.--It is a condition of receipt of
10   payment from an appropriation to a State-related university that
11   the State-related university has complied with this section.
12      (d)   Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
13   words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
14   subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
15      "Board of trustees."       The board of trustees of a State-
16   related university.
17      "Department."       The Department of Labor and Industry of the
18   Commonwealth.
19      "Local government."       A county, city, town, borough, township
20   or school district in this Commonwealth.
21      "State-related university."        The Pennsylvania State
22   University, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University,
23   Lincoln University and their branch campuses.
24      "Student."        An individual who is enrolled on a full-time or
25   part-time basis at a State-related university.
26      Section 2.        This act shall take effect immediately.




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