Pennsylvania HB 1472: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in higher education accountability and transparency, providing for economic and workforce impact review by State-related universities; and imposing duties of the Department of Labor and Industry.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1733
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1472
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY KRUPA, M. BROWN, BARTON, FINK, GILLEN, ANDERSON
AND WARNER, MAY 16, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 21, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in higher education accountability
and transparency, providing for economic and workforce impact
review by State-related universities; and imposing duties of
the Department of Labor and Industry.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 2007-H. Economic and workforce impact review by State-
related universities.
(a) Legislative findings.--The General Assembly finds as
follows:
(1) The Commonwealth provides substantial funding to
State-related universities.
(2) The closure of campuses of institutions of higher
education can have severe economic consequences for local
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

communities.
(3) Many regional campuses provide essential workforce
training programs, such as nursing and skilled trades, that
are critical to this Commonwealth's economy.
(4) State-related universities must be held accountable
for ensuring that campus closures do not create long-term
economic or educational harm.
(b) Economic and workforce impact study.--
(1) Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and
continuing each school year thereafter, a board of trustees
shall conduct an economic and workforce impact study prior to
the closure of a campus within the State-related university.
(2) The department shall select an independent research
institution to conduct the economic and workforce impact
study on behalf of the State-related university.
(3) The board of trustees shall transmit the results of
the economic and workforce impact study to the following:
(i) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Appropriations Committee of the Senate.
(ii) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives.
(iii) The chairperson and minority chairperson of
the Education Committee of the Senate.
(iv) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Education Committee of the House of Representatives.
(v) The department.
(vi) A local government affected by the closure.
(vii) Any member of the General Assembly who has an
affected campus of the State-related university within
the boundaries of the legislative district the member
20250HB1472PN1733 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

represents.
(4) The board of trustees may not approve the closure if
the economic and workforce impact study reveals that:
(i) the closure will result in significant harm to
the local community; or
(ii) students will not have reasonable and
affordable alternatives to receiving postsecondary
education.
(c) Funding contingency.--It is a condition of receipt of
payment from an appropriation to a State-related university that
the State-related university has complied with this section.
(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Board of trustees." The board of trustees of a State-
related university.
"Department." The Department of Labor and Industry of the
Commonwealth.
"Local government." A county, city, town, borough, township
or school district in this Commonwealth.
"State-related university." The Pennsylvania State
University, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University,
Lincoln University and their branch campuses.
"Student." An individual who is enrolled on a full-time or
part-time basis at a State-related university.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
20250HB1472PN1733 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26