2013 -- S 0576 SUBSTITUTE A

=======

LC01219/SUB A

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

FOR COMBAT VETERANS

     

     

     Introduced By: Senators Lynch, Felag, Bates, Ottiano, and Jabour

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Title 30 of the General Laws entitled "MILITARY AFFAIRS AND

1-2

DEFENSE" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

1-3

     CHAPTER 30.2

1-4

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR COMBAT VETERANS

1-5

     30-30.2-1. Short title. – This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Education

1-6

Assistance For Combat Veterans Act."

1-7

     30-30.2-2. Statement of purpose. – It is hereby found and declared as follows: (1) The

1-8

fundamental freedoms enjoyed by all citizens of our state and these United States are insured in

1-9

no small part through the honorable service of our nation's military veterans;

1-10

     (2) The people of the state have a deep debt of gratitude for the sacrifices made by these

1-11

men and women who as combat veterans placed their lives in harm's way to protect and defend

1-12

our nation from all foreign enemies and terrorist threats; and

1-13

     (3) These men and women should be allowed to resume their education, receive academic

1-14

credit commensurate with their military training and experience, graduate, and ultimately obtain

1-15

meaningful civilian employment upon their return to Rhode Island without delay.

1-16

     30-30.2-3. Academic credit for military training and coursework. – The state board of

1-17

education shall promulgate rules and regulations ensuring:

1-18

     (1) The evaluation of a student's military coursework and training to determine whether

1-19

academic credit can be awarded for their military training experience and coursework;

2-1

     (2) The state board of education shall prescribe, by regulation, a reverse transfer policy

2-2

that shall allow students to use credits earned at a four (4) year institution for an associate's

2-3

degree at a two (2) year institution; and

2-4

     (3) Establishment of a preferential class registration process for all state institutions,

2-5

which shall be reviewed and approved by the board of education to allow combat veterans to

2-6

register first for all classes at any state-run institution of higher education. In developing rules and

2-7

regulations, the office of the commissioner of higher education, in consultation with the adjutant

2-8

general of the Rhode Island national guard, shall determine individual preference ranking among

2-9

combat veterans, including, but not limited to, the number of combat tours served, service

2-10

awards, and any other such criteria deemed appropriate by the adjutant general.

2-11

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC01219/SUB A

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

FOR COMBAT VETERANS

***

3-1

     This act would establish various veteran-friendly educational programs for all state

3-2

institutions in order to allow service personnel returning from a combat tour to achieve

3-3

educational attainment in an accelerated manner.

3-4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC01219/SUB A

=======

S0576A