HB 1474 — 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 requirements for significant reduction of operations of State-related universities.

PRINTER'S NO.    1735

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                          HOUSE BILL
                          No. 1474
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY KRUPA, M. BROWN, BARTON, KUZMA, GLEIM, 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 requirements for significant
 7      reduction of operations of State-related universities.
 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.     Requirements for significant reduction of
14                  operations of State-related universities.
15      (a)     Legislative findings.--The General Assembly finds as
16   follows:
17            (1)   State-related universities receive substantial
18      taxpayer funding to provide education to all Pennsylvanians.
19            (2)   The closure of branch campuses disproportionately
20      harms rural and underprivileged communities, limiting access
 1      to affordable higher education.
 2            (3)   Taxpayer-supported institutions of higher education
 3      have a duty to maintain equitable geographic access to
 4      education.
 5            (4)   There is a need to ensure that branch campuses
 6      cannot be closed without legislative oversight and public
 7      input.
 8      (b)   Proposed implementation plan.--Beginning with the 2025-
 9   2026 school year and continuing each school year thereafter, a
10   board shall develop a proposed implementation plan prior to the
11   consolidation, transfer, closure or significant reduction of
12   operations of the State-related university, including the
13   closure of a branch campus. The proposed implementation plan
14   shall include the following information:
15            (1)   a detailed financial analysis;
16            (2)   an economic impact study detailing the effects on
17      the local community;
18            (3)   a student impact report, including the number of
19      students affected and educational alternatives available to
20      the student; and
21            (4)   a plan of higher education access for students in
22      the affected region.
23      (c)   Distribution of plan.--The board shall transmit a copy
24   of the proposed implementation plan to the following:
25            (1)   The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
26      Appropriations Committee of the Senate.
27            (2)   The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
28      Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives.
29            (3)   The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
30      Education Committee of the Senate.

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 1          (4)   The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
 2    Education Committee of the House of Representatives.
 3          (5)   Any member of the General Assembly who has an
 4    affected campus of a State-related university within the
 5    boundaries of the legislative district the member represents.
 6    (d)   Public comment period.--
 7          (1)   The board shall make the proposed implementation
 8    plan available for review and solicit public comment for a
 9    period of not less than 90 days.
10          (2)   The board shall consult with stakeholders, including
11    faculty, staff, students, administrators, local businesses
12    and community leaders and hold at least three public hearings
13    on the proposed implementation plan as part of the public
14    comment period. After the public comment period and before
15    any action may be taken, the board shall consider comments
16    made by stakeholders during the public comment period and
17    present an implementation plan at a public meeting subject to
18    approval by two-thirds of the board.
19    (e)   Legislative action required.--
20          (1)   Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and
21    continuing each school year thereafter, if the plan involves
22    consolidation, transfer, closure or significant reduction in
23    operations, including closure of a branch campus and the
24    board approves the plan, the State-related university shall
25    submit the plan to the Secretary of the Senate and Chief
26    Clerk of the House of Representatives for approval by the
27    General Assembly.
28          (2)   A State-related university that is required to
29    submit a plan may not implement the plan unless the General
30    Assembly approves the plan.

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 1      (f)   Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
 2   words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
 3   subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
 4      "Board of trustees" or "board."    The board of trustees of a
 5   State-related university.
 6      "State-related university."   The Pennsylvania State
 7   University, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University,
 8   Lincoln University and their branch campuses.
 9      "Student."   An individual who is enrolled on a full-time or
10   part-time basis at a State-related university.
11      Section 2.   This act shall take effect immediately.




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