2012 -- S 2279

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LC01031

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TUITION EQUITY

     Introduced By: Senators Pichardo, Metts, Jabour, Crowley, and Nesselbush

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-59 of the General Laws entitled "Board of Governors for Higher

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Education" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-59-9.2. Student equal economic opportunity act.– Notwithstanding any other

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provision of the general or public laws:

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     (1) A student, other than a non-immigrant alien within the meaning of paragraph (15) of

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subsection (a) of section 1101 of title 8 of the United States Code, who meets all of the following

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requirements shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at Rhode Island public universities,

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colleges or community colleges:

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     (i) Has attended an approved Rhode Island high school for three (3) or more years;

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     (ii) Has graduated from an approved Rhode Island high school or received a high school

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equivalency diploma from the state of Rhode Island;

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     (iii) Has registered as an entering student at, or is currently enrolled at, an accredited

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institution of higher education in Rhode Island not earlier than the fall semester or quarter of the

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2010-2011 academic year; and

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     (iv) Has filed with the institution of higher education an affidavit stating that :

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     (a) The student meets the requirements of paragraphs (i) and (ii); and

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     (b) The student is a U.S. citizen, has lawful immigration status, or, if the student is not a

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U.S. citizen and does not have a lawful immigration status, has filed an application for lawful

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immigration status, or will file such an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so. The

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affidavit shall not require students to reveal their immigration or citizenship status. Provided, that

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any student who, because of the lack of lawful immigration status, is not eligible to receive

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financial assistance from the federal government and/or the state of Rhode Island for attending an

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institution of higher education, shall not apply for and or receive such financial assistance and/or

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exemption.

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     (2) Identifiable student information obtained pursuant to subdivision (1)(iv) shall be

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confidential except where such a requirement is inconsistent with federal law. If information

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obtained pursuant to this section regarding a student's immigration status is provided to any

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agency for purposes other than the implementation of this act, the entity providing the

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information shall promptly notify the student.

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     (3) The board of governors for higher education shall prescribe rules and regulations as

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may be necessary for the implementation of this section.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01031

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TUITION EQUITY

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     This act would identify those students who are exempt from paying nonresident tuition at

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public universities, colleges or community colleges.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01031

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