2021 -- H 5928

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LC002006

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- TUITION FOR COVERED

INDIVIDUALS UNDER POST-911 BILL AND MONTGOMERY GI BILL

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Noret, Solomon, Azzinaro, Kennedy,
and Filippi

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

     Referred To: House Veterans` Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. The title of Chapter 30-30.3 of the General Laws entitled "Tuition for

Covered Individuals Under Post-911 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill" is hereby amended to read

as follows:

CHAPTER 30-30.3

     Tuition for Covered Individuals Under Post-911 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill

CHAPTER 30-30.3

TUITION FOR COVERED INDIVIDUALS, TO INCLUDE UNDER POST-911 GI BILL AND

MONTGOMERY GI BILL

     SECTION 2. Section 30-30.3-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-30.3 entitled "Tuition

for Covered Individuals Under Post-911 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill" is hereby amended to

read as follows:

     30-30.3-1. In-state tuition eligibility.

     (a) Pursuant to the reauthorization of the Federal Higher Education Act of 2008 and

passage of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, the following individuals

shall be entitled to pay tuition and fees at an institution of higher education at the rates provided

for Rhode Island residents without regard to the length of time the person has lived in this state:

     (1) Any active duty member or the spouse or dependent of an active duty member of any

branch of the uniformed services who has been on active duty for a period of more than thirty (30)

days; or

     (2) Any active duty member who is injured while on active duty, and whose injuries causes

him or her to be on active duty for a period of less than thirty (30) days; or

     (3) Any veteran of the uniformed services who is eligible for Federal GI Bill educational

benefits; or

     (4) Any other individual who is eligible for transferred Federal GI Bill educational benefits

or the Fry Scholarship, provided that he or she lives in the state of Rhode Island while attending a

Rhode Island public postsecondary institution.

     (b) A spouse or child of a member of the active military service of the United States who

has been assigned to duty elsewhere immediately following assignment to duty in Rhode Island

shall be deemed to be an in-state resident for the purposes of determining tuition and fees at Rhode

Island public universities, colleges or community colleges, and is entitled to pay the tuition fees

and other fees or charges provided for or applicable to Rhode Island residents as long as the spouse

or child resides continuously in Rhode Island and remains enrolled at the public university, college

or community college.

     (b)(c) The council of postsecondary education shall develop a policy and rules and

regulations to ensure that public postsecondary institutions in this state implement the changes set

forth in provisions of this section.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- TUITION FOR COVERED

INDIVIDUALS UNDER POST-911 BILL AND MONTGOMERY GI BILL

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     This act would provide that children and spouses of active military members assigned to

duty in Rhode Island, may continue to attend public post-secondary education in Rhode Island as

in-state residents upon the service member reassignment elsewhere as long as the child or spouse

remains continuously enrolled in the Rhode Island institution.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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