Bill Text: HI SB622 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 622 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: UH Tuition Waivers; Dependents of Veterans

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB622 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-SB622-Introduced.html

Report Title:

UH Tuition Waivers; Dependents of Veterans

Description:

Provides tuition waivers for children of military personnel disabled, killed in the line of duty, or declared prisoners of war or missing in action.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	622
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§304A- Tuition waivers for children of disabled Hawaii veterans. (a) Any natural or legally adopted child of a permanently and totally disabled or killed veteran who:

(1) Has filed Hawaii state income taxes for thirty-six consecutive months or more;

(2) Served in the Armed Forces of the United States from:

(A) April 6, 1917, to July 2, 1921;

(B) September 16, 1940, to December 31, 1946;

(D) August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975; or

(E) After August 2, 1990;

(3) Sustained service-connected disabilities or was killed in service as evidenced by records of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, received wounds as a result of enemy action, or received the Purple Heart Medal; and

(4) Was not dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces,

shall be entitled to receive a maximum of eight semesters of benefits, specifically for tuition, at the University of Hawaii; provided that the child is twenty-one years of age or younger at the time of application, is a full-time or part-time student pursuing a prescribed course of study, and maintains satisfactory academic progress as determined by the college, university, or school; provided further that if the child receives any other benefits from any source specifically designated for tuition, the amount of benefits provided under this section shall be reduced by the amount of the other benefits.

(b) This section shall apply to a child of a totally and permanently disabled or deceased Hawaii veteran only if the veteran sustained service-connected disabilities or was killed in service as evidenced by the records of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, received wounds as a result of enemy action, or received the Purple Heart Medal before the effective date of this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the State to remit any tuition for terms completed by a child prior to the child's application for the benefits provided under this section.

(c) The director of the office of veterans' services shall consult with the president of the University of Hawaii to carry out the purposes of this section.

§304A- Tuition waivers for children of Hawaii veterans declared prisoners of war or missing in action. (a) Any natural or legally adopted child of a veteran:

(1) Classified as a prisoner of war or missing in action after January 1, 1960; and

(2) Who filed Hawaii state income taxes for thirty-six consecutive months or more immediately prior to entering active duty in the United States armed forces,

shall be entitled to receive a maximum of eight semesters of benefits, specifically for tuition, at the University of Hawaii; provided that the child was born to, adopted by, or in the legal custody of the veteran before or during the time the veteran was classified as a prisoner of war or missing in action, is twenty-one years of age or younger at the time of application, is a full-time or part-time student pursuing a prescribed course of study, and maintains satisfactory academic progress as determined by the college, university, or school; provided further that if the child receives any other benefits from any source specifically designated for tuition, the amount of benefits provided under this section shall be reduced by the amount of the other benefits. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the State to remit any tuition for terms completed by the children prior to their application for the benefits provided under this section.

(b) The director of the office of veterans' services shall consult with the president of the University of Hawaii to carry out the purposes of this section."

SECTION 3. The board of regents of the University of Hawaii may adopt, amend, and repeal rules necessary or desirable to the implementation of this Act without regard to the public notice and public hearing requirements of chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 4. In accordance with article X, section 6, of the state constitution, the legislature finds and declares this Act to be of statewide concern.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.