Chapter 217
2013 -- H 5856 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/11/13
A N A C T
RELATING TO
MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR COMBAT VETERANS
Introduced By: Representatives Abney, Fellela, Gallison, Casey, and Messier
Date Introduced: March 06, 2013
It is enacted by the
General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 30 of the General Laws entitled
"MILITARY AFFAIRS AND
DEFENSE" is hereby
amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
CHAPTER
30.2
EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE FOR COMBAT VETERANS
30-30.2-1.
Short title. – This act shall be known and may
be cited as the "Education
Assistance For Combat
Veterans Act."
30-30.2-2.
Statement of purpose. – It is hereby found and
declared as follows: (1) The
fundamental freedoms enjoyed by all citizens of our state and
these
no small part through the honorable service of our
nation's military veterans;
(2) The people of the
state have a deep debt of gratitude for the sacrifices made by these
men and women who as combat veterans placed their lives
in harm's way to protect and defend
our nation from all foreign enemies and terrorist
threats; and
(3) These men and
women should be allowed to resume their education, receive academic
credit commensurate with their military training and
experience, graduate, and ultimately obtain
meaningful civilian employment upon their return to
30-30.2-3.
Academic credit for military training and coursework. –
The state board of
education shall ensure:
(1) Enrolled students
are awarded education credits based upon their military training or
service when academically appropriate; and
(2) Establishment of
a preferential class registration process for all state institutions,
which shall be reviewed and approved by the board of
education to allow combat veterans to
register first for all classes at any state-run institution of
higher education. In developing rules and
regulations, the office of the commissioner of higher education,
in consultation with the adjutant
general of the
combat veterans, including, but not limited to, the number
of combat tours served, service
awards, and any other such criteria deemed appropriate by
the adjutant general.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC01961/SUB A/2
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