Rep. Velázquez aims to expand Mel’s Law nationwide, granting degrees to students who die before graduation

September 23, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — A NEW BILL TO REQUIRE THE AWARDING OF POSTHUMOUS DEGREES will be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday, Sept. 23.

Brooklyn Congressmember Nydia M. Velázquez is holding a press conference with state and local elected officials to introduce “Mel’s Law,” which already exists in New York State. The bill currently requires the boards of trustees at colleges and universities receiving federal funding, such as the State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY), to establish a policy to award posthumous degrees to students who die before completing their required coursework. It is named for Melquain Jatelle Anderson, who was murdered in 2017 while a student at John Jay College.

Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest and State Senator Jabari Brisport introduced the New York version of the bill in their respective chambers and Governor Kathy Hochul signed it into law last year. The law followed years of persistent advocacy from Melquain’s mother, Michelle Barnes-Anderson and her siblings Rev. Dr. Xenia Barnes and Khadedra Miller.

According to the website for the foundation established in Melquain Anderson’s memory, an emergency scholarship fund was set up. A victim of gun violence, Melquain was a Sheepshead Bay native who, at 17, was already helping other young men study for and pass their GED. At the time of his death, he was pursuing a sociology degree and planned to attend law school.

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