Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as “Mel’s Law”.
Mel’s Law
A BILL
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.
Sec. 2 Requirement to award posthumous degrees
Posthumous degrees— Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(30) The institution certifies that the institution has established a policy to award posthumous degrees to deceased students who—
“(A) had been enrolled in a degree program at the institution;
“(B) died prior to completing such program; and
“(C) at the time of death, were in academic standing consistent with the requirements for graduation from such program, as determined by the institution.”
Accreditation criteria— Section 496(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b(a)) is amended—
by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (8) as paragraphs (7) through (9), respectively; and
by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
“(6) 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;”
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.