Bill Text: IN SB0410 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Veteran education programs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-01-10 - First reading: referred to Committee on Education and Career Development [SB0410 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2013-SB0410-Introduced.html
Citations Affected: IC 21-41-9.
Synopsis: Veteran education programs. Requires each state
educational institution to establish a combat to college program
(program). Requires a state educational institution to: (1) provide a
centralized location for admissions, registration, and financial
administration services for veteran students; (2) provide reasonable
fitness facility accommodations for veteran students who are disabled;
(3) develop programs to provide academic and career counseling
specifically designed for veteran students; (4) develop programs to
provide access to counseling services or resources to veteran students
who are disabled or suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder; and
(5) develop job search assistance programs designed for veteran
students. Requires each state educational institution to designate a
program coordinator. Requires a state educational institution to
establish a hiring preference policy favoring veteran students. Requires
a state educational institution to provide postsecondary credit for
military training if the American Council of Education recommends
that postsecondary credit should be provided for the military training.
Effective: July 1, 2013.
January 10, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Education and Career
Development.
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
military and veterans.
Chapter 9. Combat to College Program
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, "coordinator" refers to a program coordinator designated under section 9 of this chapter.
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "national guard" means a state's:
(1) army national guard; or
(2) air national guard.
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "postsecondary credit" means credit toward:
(1) an associate degree;
(2) a baccalaureate degree; or
(3) a career and technical education certification;
granted by a state educational institution.
Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to a combat to college program established by a state educational institution under section 7 of this chapter.
Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "veteran student" refers to a student who is enrolled in a state educational institution and who has served or is currently serving as a member of the:
(1) armed forces; or
(2) national guard.
Sec. 7. Each state educational institution shall establish a combat to college program that creates a positive educational environment allowing veteran students to successfully graduate from academic and vocational degree programs and that recognizes the skills, training, and experiences associated with military service.
Sec. 8. Each state educational institution shall do the following:
(1) To the extent possible exercising financial prudence, provide a centralized location for admissions, registration for classes, and financial administration services for veteran students.
(2) Provide reasonable accommodations at the state educational institution's fitness facility for veteran students who are disabled.
(3) Develop programs to provide academic and career counseling specifically designed for veteran students.
(4) Develop programs to provide reasonable access to specialized counseling services or resources for veteran students who are disabled or suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder.
(5) Develop job search assistance programs designed to assist veteran students:
(A) during the veteran student's enrollment; and
(B) for at least two (2) years following the veteran student's graduation from the state educational institution.
Sec. 9. (a) Each state educational institution shall designate a program coordinator.
(b) The duties of the coordinator include the following:
(1) Develop programs to create a positive educational environment for veteran students while 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 posttraumatic stress disorder;
(B) veteran benefits; and
(C) any issue that the coordinator determines will educate
a state educational institution's faculty or staff concerning
the special needs of veteran students.
(3) Make recommendations to the commission for higher
education established under IC 21-18-2 concerning ways to
improve the education of veteran students.
(4) Coordinate access to stress management, counseling
programs, and other resources available to a veteran student
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 have served
or are serving in the national guard.
(8) Coordinate activities, seminars, and programs for veteran
students presented by veterans organizations 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 to find
employment.
(11) Develop internship programs designed specifically for
veteran students.
(12) Develop an Internet web site to provide veteran students
access to veteran resources.
Sec. 10. (a) Except as provided in IC 21-16-2, each state
educational institution shall develop a hiring preference policy
favoring veteran students for employment by the state educational
institution for positions available to students of the state
educational institution.
(b) For a veteran student to be eligible for a hiring preference
under a policy developed under subsection (a), a veteran student
must be at least a half-time student (as defined in IC 21-16-1-12)
and:
(1) must have received an honorable discharge from the
armed forces or national guard; or
(2) must be serving in the armed forces or national guard.
(c) A state educational institution may make reasonable
exemptions from a hiring preference policy developed under
subsection (a) for teaching positions or positions that may require
a specialized skill.
Sec. 11. Each state educational institution shall provide
postsecondary credit to a veteran student for the veteran student's
military training while serving in the armed forces or national
guard if the American Council of Education recommends that
postsecondary credit should be provided for that military training.
