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A 10435

Requires every college and university to provide public notice of cessation of operation and to develop transition plans for shared services

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Al Stirpe

Establishes a formal, state-led closure process for NY colleges, requiring advance public notice, public meetings, teach-out plans, asset disposition details, and shared-services t

PRINT NUMBER 10435B
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Bill Summary · A 10435

Summary of Bill A. 10435 (2025-2026, New York)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a formal, state-directed process for the orderly closure of a college or university.
  • Requires public notice of cessation of operations and mandates transition planning for shared services with local governments or agencies.
  • Aims to enhance transparency, protect students and employees, and facilitate orderly disengagement with accrediting bodies and local partners.

Key provisions and changes

  • Adds new subdivision 63 to Education Law §305 outlining procedural rules for closures:
    • Public disclosure: Any decision to cease operations must be made public and disclosed at least one year before the proposed closing date.
    • Public meetings: The institution must hold at least three public meetings to address concerns from students, faculty, staff, and the local community.
    • Accrediting agency notice: The institution must notify its accrediting agency at least nine months before the proposed closing date.
    • Teach-out and transfer details: The institution must provide details on teach-out plans or transfer agreements for enrolled students at least six months before closing.
    • Campus resource disposition: The institution must provide details on plans to sell, transfer, or utilize campus resources (e.g., buildings, grounds, facilities) to local governments at least six months before closing.
    • Shared services transition (partnerships with local governments/agencies): If the institution shares responsibility for or provides shared services to local governments or agencies, it must develop a transition plan with the relevant partner at least four months before closing.
  • Effective date: The act takes effect one year after becoming law. The bill also authorizes immediate regulatory action to implement the act, with such rulemaking to occur on or before the effective date.

Who/what is affected

  • Postsecondary institutions in New York (colleges and universities) that contemplate ceasing operations.
  • Accrediting agencies overseeing these institutions.
  • Students currently enrolled at closing institutions (via teach-out plans and transfer agreements).
  • Faculty and staff at closing institutions.
  • Local governments and agencies that may share or rely on campus resources or services (shared services partners).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • One-year advance public disclosure prior to closing date.
  • Minimum three public meetings hosted before closing.
  • Accrediting agency notified at least nine months prior.
  • Teach-out or transfer details provided at least six months prior.
  • Plans for disposition of campus resources provided at least six months prior.
  • Transition plans for shared services with local partners due at least four months prior.
  • Regulatory framework to be established by the Commissioner of Education; the act allows early rulemaking and guidance to implement provisions by the effective date.
  • Sunset/activation: The bill becomes law one year after enactment, with implementing regulations in place by then.

Practical implications and considerations

  • Increases transparency around college closures and provides structured opportunities for stakeholder input.
  • Creates formal timelines to mitigate disruption to students’ education and to safeguard employees’ interests.
  • Encourages advance coordination with accrediting bodies to ensure orderly teach-outs and maintain academic standards during transition.
  • Requires careful planning for the disposition of campus assets and for maintaining essential public services if the institution’s resources are shared with local governments or agencies.

If you’d like, I can provide a section-by-section quick reference or compare these provisions to existing New York law on institutional closures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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