Mel’s Law

HR 9857, "Mel’s Law," requires U.S. colleges and universities to establish a policy for awarding posthumous degrees to students who died before completing their degree programs. Specifically, it mandates that institutions must certify they have a policy to award such degrees to deceased students who were enrolled, died prior to graduation, and met the academic standing requirements for graduation at the time of death. The bill also amends accreditation standards to ensure they do not consider the number of posthumous degrees awarded when evaluating institutions. The law takes effect one year after enactment.