Bill Text: IN HB1290 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Veterans education center of excellence.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-01-14 - First reading: referred to Committee on Education [HB1290 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2013-HB1290-Introduced.html
Citations Affected: IC 21-18; IC 21-41-8.5.
Synopsis: Veterans education center of excellence. Establishes the
veterans education center of excellence to serve as a clearinghouse for
information concerning educational benefits and programs available to
veterans. Requires each state educational institution and programs to
establish a veterans education center. Requires each state educational
institution to: (1) provide a centralized location for admissions,
registration, and financial administration services for veterans; (2)
provide reasonable accommodations at the state educational
institution's fitness facility for veteran students with disabilities; (3)
develop programs to provide academic guidance specifically to veteran
students; (4) develop programs to provide access to counseling services
or resources to veteran students who are disabled or suffering from
post-traumatic stress disorder; and (5) develop job search programs
designed for veteran students. Requires each state educational
institution to designate a veterans assistance officer.
Effective: July 1, 2013.
January 14, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Education.
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A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
military and veterans.
(1) Plan for and coordinate Indiana's state supported system of postsecondary education.
(2) Review appropriation requests of state educational institutions.
(3) Make recommendations to the governor, budget agency, or the general assembly concerning postsecondary education.
(4) Perform other functions assigned by the governor or the general assembly, except those functions specifically assigned by law to the state workforce innovation council under IC 22-4.1-19.
(5) Administer state financial aid programs under IC 21-18.5-4.
(6) Provide staff and office space for the board for proprietary education established by IC 21-18.5-5-1.
(7) Provide staff and office space for the Indiana veterans
education center of excellence established by IC 21-18-12-3.
Chapter 12. Indiana Veterans Education Center of Excellence
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "center" refers to the Indiana veterans education center of excellence established by section 3 of this chapter.
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "veterans assistance officer" has the meaning set forth in IC 21-41-8.5-4.
Sec. 3. The Indiana veterans education center of excellence is established to serve as a repository and clearinghouse for information concerning educational benefits and programs available to veteran students (as defined in IC 21-41-8.5-3) at state educational institutions.
Sec. 4. (a) The commission for higher education, in consultation with the Indiana department of veterans' affairs established by IC 10-17-1-2, shall designate staff responsible for the operation of the center.
(b) The staff's duties include the following:
(1) Establishing and maintaining a list of contact information for each state educational institution's veterans assistance officer.
(2) Compiling information on programs and services available to veterans at each state educational institution.
(3) Publishing the information described in subdivisions (1) and (2) on the commission's Internet web site.
Chapter 8.5. Veterans Education Centers
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "armed forces" has the meaning set forth in IC 10-17-12-2.
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "national guard" means a state's:
(1) army national guard; or
(2) air national guard.
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "veteran student" refers to a student attending a state educational institution who has served or is currently serving as a member of the:
(1) armed forces; or
(2) national guard.
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "veterans assistance officer"
refers to a veterans assistance officer designated under section 8 of
this chapter.
Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "veterans education center"
refers to a center, office, or space designated under section 7 of this
chapter.
Sec. 6. Each state educational institution shall do the following:
(1) Establish a veterans education center as provided under
section 7 of this chapter.
(2) Provide reasonable accommodations at the state
educational institution's fitness facility for veteran students
with disabilities.
Sec. 7. (a) Each state educational institution shall designate and
provide a veterans education center at the state educational
institution.
(b) To the extent possible exercising financial prudence, the
veterans education center must provide a centralized location for
admissions, registration for classes, and financial administration
services for veteran students.
Sec. 8. (a) Each state educational institution shall designate a
veterans assistance officer.
(b) The duties of the veterans assistance officer include the
following:
(1) Develop programs to create a positive educational
environment for veteran students enrolled at the state
educational institution.
(2) Develop training programs for the state educational
institution's personnel relating to:
(A) issues associated with identifying and assisting veteran
students with post-traumatic stress disorder;
(B) veteran benefits; and
(C) any issue that the coordinator determines will educate
a state educational institution's faculty or staff of the
special needs of veteran students.
(3) Make recommendations to the commission for higher
education concerning ways to improve the education of
veteran students.
(4) Coordinate access to stress management, counseling
programs, and other resources available to veteran students
at the state educational institution.
(5) Coordinate with the Indiana department of veterans'
affairs established by IC 10-17-1-2 to educate veteran students
about state benefits available to Indiana veterans.
(6) Coordinate with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to educate veteran students about federal benefits available to veterans.
(7) Coordinate with the adjutant general or the adjutant general's designee to educate veteran students about benefits and programs available to veteran students who served or are currently serving in the national guard.
(8) Coordinate activities, seminars, and programs for veteran students presented by a veterans organization listed in IC 10-18-8-1.
(9) Coordinate campus activities and social events designed for veteran students.
(10) Develop programs to assist veteran students in locating employment.
(11) Develop internship programs designed specifically for veteran students.
(12) Develop an Internet web site to provide veteran students with access to veteran resources.
