Mel’s Law

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.

Section 496(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b(a)) is amended—

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (8) as paragraphs (7) through (9), respectively; and

(2) 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;

The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.