This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to establish a new requirement for State-related universities in Pennsylvania regarding campus closures. It introduces a section titled "Department approval for campus closures," which mandates that if a State-related university intends to close a campus, it must submit an alternative education plan to the Department of Education prior to the closure. This plan should outline how the university will maintain educational opportunities in the region, potentially including partnerships with other institutions, satellite classroom programs, or tuition assistance for affected students. The bill emphasizes the importance of providing access to quality higher education, particularly for individuals in rural and underprivileged areas.

The Department of Education is tasked with reviewing the submitted plans, and if a plan is deemed non-compliant, the university will be notified and may resubmit a revised plan within 30 days. If the department does not make a determination within 30 days, the plan will be considered disapproved. Additionally, if a university fails to submit a plan or has a plan disapproved, it will not be eligible for state funding for that fiscal year. This legislation aims to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used appropriately and that students have access to educational resources even in the event of campus closures.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1734 (May 21, 2025): P.L.30, No.14