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S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
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10435
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 6, 2026
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Introduced by M. of A. STIRPE -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing and
directing the commissioner of education establish rules and regu-
lations for a college or university seeking to cease operations
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
1 Section 1. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new
2 subdivision 63 to read as follows:
3 63. THE COMMISSIONER IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO PROMULGATE RULES
4 AND REGULATIONS THAT SHALL ESTABLISH AN ORDERLY PROCESS FOR THE CLOSURE
5 OF A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS SHALL INCLUDE,
6 BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
7 (A) ANY DECISION TO CEASE OPERATIONS AT A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY SHALL
8 BE MADE PUBLIC AND DISCLOSED AT LEAST ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE PROPOSED
9 CLOSING DATE;
10 (B) ANY COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY CEASING OPERATIONS SHALL HOLD AT LEAST
11 THREE PUBLIC MEETINGS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS FROM STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF,
12 AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY;
13 (C) ANY COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY CEASING OPERATIONS SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE
14 TO SUCH COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY'S ACCREDITING AGENCY AT LEAST NINE MONTHS
15 PRIOR TO THE PROPOSED CLOSING DATE;
16 (D) ANY COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY CEASING OPERATIONS SHALL PROVIDE DETAILS
17 ON TEACH OUT PLANS OR TRANSFER AGREEMENTS TO ENROLLED STUDENTS AT LEAST
18 SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE PROPOSED CLOSING DATE;
19 (E) ANY COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY CEASING OPERATIONS SHALL PROVIDE DETAILS
20 ON ANY PLANS TO SELL, TRANSFER, OR UTILIZE CAMPUS RESOURCES, INCLUDING
21 BUT NOT LIMITED TO BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND FACILITIES TO LOCAL GOVERN-
22 MENTS AT LEAST SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE PROPOSED CLOSING DATE; AND
23 (F) ANY COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY CEASING OPERATIONS THAT SHARES RESPONSI-
24 BILITY FOR OR PROVIDES SHARED SERVICES TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OR AGENCIES
25 FOR PROGRAMS OR PHYSICAL OPERATIONS SHALL DEVELOP A TRANSITION PLAN WITH
26 THE RELEVANT PARTNER AT LEAST FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO THE PROPOSED CLOSING
27 DATE.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06832-01-5
A. 10435 2
1 § 2. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a
2 law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any
3 rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its
4 effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such
5 effective date.