2015 -- S 0749 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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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

     Referred To: Senate Education

     (Human Services)

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.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

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

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     This act would conform to state law with the passage of Section 702 of the Veterans

Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 ("Choice Act"), which requires the United States

Department of Veterans Affairs to disapprove programs of education for payment of benefits

under the Post-911 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty at public institutions of higher

learning if the schools charge qualifying veterans and dependents tuition and fees in excess of the

rate for resident students for terms beginning after July 1, 2015.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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