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Mel’s Law: Mandatory Posthumous Degrees for Deceased Students.

This law requires colleges and universities to establish a policy for awarding posthumous degrees to students who die before graduation but were in good academic standing. This change ensures that the academic achievements of deceased students are formally recognized, providing closure and recognition for their families. Institutions must adopt this policy to remain eligible for federal student financial aid programs.
Key points
Colleges must adopt a policy to award posthumous degrees to deceased students who met graduation requirements at the time of death.
Adopting this policy is mandatory for institutions wishing to participate in federal student financial aid programs.
Accreditation bodies are prohibited from penalizing institutions based on the number of posthumous degrees awarded.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_9857
Sponsor: Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
Process start date: 2024-09-25
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Mel’s Law

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_HR_9857.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2024-09-25.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Colleges must adopt a policy to award posthumous degrees to deceased students who met graduation requirements at the time of death.
  • Adopting this policy is mandatory for institutions wishing to participate in federal student financial aid programs.
  • Accreditation bodies are prohibited from penalizing institutions based on the number of posthumous degrees awarded.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-26.

CATEGORIES

Education