2012 -- S 2546

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LC01940

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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 MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE

     Introduced By: Senators Felag, Bates, Ottiano, Lanzi, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Education

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 nations 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 harms 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 upon their return

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to Rhode Island without delay.

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     30-30.2-3. Preferential registration. – The office of the commissioner of higher

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education shall promulgate rules and regulations to establish a preferential class registration

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process for all state universities and centers of higher education, which shall be reviewed and

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approved by the adjutant general of the Rhode Island National Guard to allow combat veterans to

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register first for all classes at any state run institution of higher education. In developing rules

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and regulations, the office of the commission of higher education in consultation with adjutant

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general of the Rhode Island National Guard shall determine individual preference ranking among

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combat veterans including, but not limited to, the number of combat tours served, service awards

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and any other such criteria deemed appropriate by the adjutant general.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01940

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE

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     This act would establish a preferential college class registration system for service

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personnel returning from a combat tour.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01940

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