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2013 -- S 0576 | |
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LC01219 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
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IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
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JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013 | |
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A N A C T | |
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RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE | |
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FOR COMBAT VETERANS | |
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Introduced By: Senators Lynch, Felag, Bates, Ottiano, and Jabour | |
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Date Introduced: February 28, 2013 | |
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Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs | |
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It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
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SECTION 1. Title 30 of the General Laws entitled "MILITARY AFFAIRS AND |
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DEFENSE" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
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CHAPTER 30.2 |
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EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR COMBAT VETERANS |
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30-30.2-1. Short title. – This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Education |
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Assistance For Combat Veterans Act." |
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30-30.2-2. Statement of purpose. – It is hereby found and declared as follows: (1) The |
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fundamental freedoms enjoyed by all citizens of our state and these United States are insured in |
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no small part through the honorable service of our nation's military veterans; |
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(2) The people of the state have a deep debt of gratitude for the sacrifices made by these |
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men and women who as combat veterans placed their lives in harm's way to protect and defend |
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our nation from all foreign enemies and terrorist threats; and |
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(3) These men and women should be allowed to resume their education, receive academic |
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credit commensurate with their military training and experience, graduate, and ultimately obtain |
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meaningful civilian employment upon their return to Rhode Island without delay. |
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30-30.2-3. Academic credit for military training and coursework. – The state board of |
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education shall promulgate rules and regulations ensuring: |
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(1) The evaluation of a student's military coursework and training to determine whether |
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academic credit can be awarded for their military training experience and coursework; |
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(2) The state board of education shall prescribe, by regulation, a reverse transfer policy |
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that shall allow students to use credits earned at a four (4) year institution for an associate's |
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degree at a two (2) year institution; and |
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(3) Establishment of a preferential class registration process for all state universities and |
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centers of higher education, which shall be reviewed and approved by the adjutant general of the |
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Rhode Island national guard to allow combat veterans to register first for all classes at any state- |
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run institution of higher education. In developing rules and regulations, the office of the |
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commissioner of higher education, in consultation with the adjutant general of the Rhode Island |
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national guard, shall determine individual preference ranking among combat veterans, including, |
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but not limited to, the number of combat tours served, service awards, and any other such criteria |
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deemed appropriate by the adjutant general. |
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC01219 | |
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EXPLANATION | |
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BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
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OF | |
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A N A C T | |
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RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE | |
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FOR COMBAT VETERANS | |
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This act would establish various veteran-friendly educational programs in order to allow |
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service personnel returning from a combat tour to achieve educational attainment in an |
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accelerated manner. |
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This act would take effect upon passage. |
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LC01219 | |
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