Bill > HB1474

This bill introduces new requirements for State-related universities (including Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln University) when they are considering significant operational changes like campus closures or consolidations. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, university boards must develop a comprehensive implementation plan that includes a detailed financial analysis, an economic impact study, a student impact report, and a plan for maintaining higher education access in the affected region. The bill mandates that these proposed plans must be distributed to key legislative committee chairs and local representatives, and then undergo a rigorous 90-day public comment period involving at least three public hearings with stakeholders. After considering public feedback, the board must obtain two-thirds approval for the plan. Critically, any plan involving consolidation, transfer, closure, or significant operational reduction must also be submitted to the General Assembly for final approval and cannot be implemented without legislative consent. The bill aims to ensure transparency, protect rural and underprivileged communities from losing educational access, and provide legislative oversight of major changes to State-related university operations.

Education

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1474