HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2255 |
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to college service corps.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Many universities within our nation have adopted a modified model of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps program, originally intended to provide alternative employment for Americans following the Great Depression, to narrow the gap between local education and career opportunities, while stimulating the short-term and long-term development of environment, economy, and society-oriented community projects.
Along with providing a way to meet local needs and increase civic awareness and social advancement, these college services corps programs can help new graduates gauge career readiness and offer preparation through technical training, assistance, and other support, including professional development through real world experience.
To increase access to higher education and work opportunities for volunteers at various education levels, a college services corps program can qualify successful volunteers for tuition reduction or full scholarships at various educational programs under their jurisdiction.
The purpose of this measure is to encourage recent high school graduates to volunteer for similar service corps programs in Hawaii by providing educational benefits to individuals who have successfully completed a Hawaii college services corps program.
SECTION 2. Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart B, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§304A-
Hawaii college service
corps program. (a) There is established the Hawaii college service
corps program, which shall be placed within the University of Hawaii for
administrative purposes. The mission of
the program shall be to encourage recent Hawaii high school graduates to
participate in college service corps programs by rewarding those individuals
with tuition waivers and college credit for subsequent enrollment in schools
within the University of Hawaii system.
(b) Each full year of successful participation
in a qualifying college service corps program shall qualify the participant for
four semesters of tuition waivers. No
participant shall earn more than eight semesters of tuition waivers pursuant to
this section.
(c) Each month of successful participation in a
qualifying college service corps program shall earn the participant one credit
hour, or equivalent thereof, up to a maximum of twenty-four credit hours.
(d) Tuition waivers and credit hours earned
through the Hawaii college service corps program shall apply to an associate's
or bachelor's degree at a school within the University of Hawaii system.
(e) The University of Hawaii may seek private donations to offset the costs of providing tuition waivers pursuant to this section."
SECTION 3. No later than July 1, 2019, the University of Hawaii shall publish a list of college service corps programs that qualify for tuition waivers and college credit pursuant to this Act. In establishing the list of qualified college service corps program, the University of Hawaii:
(1) Shall consult with the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, to determine the feasibility of establishing patrol assignments as part of a qualified college service corps program;
(2) Shall consult with the Department of Education to determine the feasibility of alleviating teacher shortages by establishing teaching assistant positions as part of a qualified college service corps program; and
(3) May consult with other government entities, including other departments and counties in Hawaii, to determine the feasibility of establishing assignments, internships, or positions as part of a qualified college service corps program.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
College Service Corps; University of Hawaii
Description:
Establishes the Hawaii college service corps to provide recent high school graduates with tuition waivers and college credit for participation in qualifying college service corps programs.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.