Chapter 197

2015 -- S 0749 SUBSTITUTE A Enacted 07/09/2015

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- TUITION FOR COVERED INDIVIDUALS UNDER A POST-911 GI BILL AND MONTGOMERY GI BILL

Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

Date Introduced: March 24, 2015

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 30.3

TUITION FOR COVERED INDIVIDUALS UNDER POST-911 GI BILL AND

MONTGOMERY GI BILL

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) 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 this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC001778/SUB A

========