2013 -- S 0576

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LC01219

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

FOR COMBAT VETERANS

     Introduced By: Senators Lynch, Felag, Bates, Ottiano, and Jabour

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

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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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE - EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

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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