Assembly Bill A7549

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7549
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                               April 1, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. E. BROWN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee on Higher Education
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend  the  education law, in relation to the revocation of
   university or college degrees for certain  acts  and  establishes  the
   degree revocation registry

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may  be  cited  as
 the "degree integrity and accountability act".
   § 2. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature finds that indi-
 viduals  who  engage in serious misconduct, including criminal activity,
 terrorism advocacy, or  severe  violations  of  institutional  policies,
 should  not  benefit  from  academic  credentials that falsely represent
 their character and qualifications. Universities have the  authority  to
 revoke degrees in cases of fraud or academic dishonesty, but there is no
 clear  process  to  ensure  transparency  and accountability in cases of
 severe post-graduation misconduct.
   To prevent bad actors from misrepresenting their academic  credentials
 and  deceiving  employers,  this  act  establishes  a public registry of
 degree revocations, ensuring employers can verify whether a  degree  has
 been rescinded.
   §  3.  The  education law is amended by adding two new sections 6436-a
 and 6436-b to read as follows:
   §  6436-A.  MANDATORY  DEGREE  REVOCATION  FOR  CRIMINAL  AND  ETHICAL
 VIOLATIONS.  1.  THE  TRUSTEES OR OTHER GOVERNING BOARD OF EVERY COLLEGE
 CHARTERED BY THE REGENTS OR INCORPORATED BY SPECIAL ACT OF THE  LEGISLA-
 TURE  AND  WHICH  MAINTAINS  A  CAMPUS, UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED, SHALL
 ADOPT WRITTEN RULES FOR IMPLEMENTING ALL POLICIES REQUIRED  PURSUANT  TO
 THIS SECTION AND FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
 AND  OTHER  COLLEGE PROPERTY USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND PROVIDE A
 PROGRAM FOR THE ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD11104-02-5
              

 A. 7549                             2
 
   2. A DEGREE-GRANTING INSTITUTION SHALL REVOKE THE DEGREE OF ANY  INDI-
 VIDUAL WHO HAS:
   (A)  BEEN CONVICTED OF A VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSE AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVI-
 SION ONE OF SECTION 70.02 OF THE PENAL  LAW,  TERRORISM-RELATED  OFFENSE
 UNDER  ARTICLE FOUR HUNDRED NINETY OF THE PENAL LAW, OR HATE CRIME UNDER
 SECTION 485.05 OF THE PENAL LAW;
   (B) ENGAGED IN ACTS THAT CONSTITUTE  MATERIAL  SUPPORT  FOR  TERRORIST
 ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING ADVOCACY, INCITEMENT, OR FINANCIAL AID;
   (C)  PARTICIPATED  IN  OR LED ORGANIZED EFFORTS TO DISRUPT EDUCATIONAL
 INSTITUTIONS THROUGH UNLAWFUL OCCUPATION, DESTRUCTION  OF  PROPERTY,  OR
 THREATS OF VIOLENCE; OR
   (D)  BEEN  FOUND GUILTY OF SEVERE MISCONDUCT BY A UNIVERSITY DISCIPLI-
 NARY BOARD,  INCLUDING  ACADEMIC  FRAUD,  FALSIFICATION  OF  CREDENTIALS
 PURSUANT  TO SECTION TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER, OR ANY ACT
 THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED GRADUATION HAD IT BEEN KNOWN AT THE TIME.
   3. ALL DEGREE-GRANTING INSTITUTIONS SHALL REPORT ANY DEGREE REVOCATION
 TO THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF SUCH REVOCATION.
   4. ANY DEGREE-GRANTING INSTITUTION THAT FAILS TO REPORT A DEGREE REVO-
 CATION MAY FACE FINES UP TO FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS  PER  INSTANCE
 AND MAY LOSE ELIGIBILITY FOR STATE FUNDING.
   5.  ANY  EMPLOYER FOUND TO KNOWINGLY CONCEAL OR MISREPRESENT A REVOKED
 DEGREE IN OFFICIAL RECORDS MAY FACE CIVIL PENALTIES.
   § 6436-B. DEGREE REVOCATION REGISTRY. 1. THE DEPARTMENT  SHALL  ESTAB-
 LISH AND MAINTAIN AN ONLINE DATABASE LISTING STUDENTS WHOSE DEGREES HAVE
 BEEN REVOKED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE:
   (A) NAME OF THE INDIVIDUAL;
   (B) INSTITUTION FROM WHICH THE DEGREE WAS REVOKED;
   (C) DATE OF REVOCATION; AND
   (D) GENERAL REASON FOR REVOCATION.
   2.  EMPLOYERS,  ACADEMIC  INSTITUTIONS,  AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SHALL
 HAVE UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO THE DATABASE.
   3. STUDENTS WHOSE NAMES APPEAR ON SUCH REGISTRY MAY APPEAL FOR REMOVAL
 ONLY IF THEY RECEIVE LEGAL EXONERATION OR DEMONSTRATE A WRONGFUL  INCLU-
 SION.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.