STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

HOUSE BILL 1545	By:	Cockroft

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to higher education; making certain military students eligible for in-state residency status; specifying eligibility criteria for resident tuition; making spouses and dependent children of certain military students eligible; providing for continuation of in-state status after a military-ordered out-of-state transfer under certain conditions; providing for continuation of in-state status upon discharge under certain conditions;   providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3246 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  A student shall be eligible for in-state status regardless of the residency of the student if the student:
1.  Is currently serving as a member of the active uniformed military services of the United States on full-time active duty status of more than thirty (30) days; or
2.  Is currently serving as a member of the military reserve on active duty orders of more than thirty (30) days.
B.  To be eligible for resident tuition as provided for in subsection A of this section and to maintain eligibility, the student shall:
1.  Satisfy admission and retention standards as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for the appropriate type of institution; 
2.  Have secured admission to and enrolled in a full-time or part-time program of study at an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education;
3.  Be enrolled in a program of study leading to an associate or a baccalaureate degree; 
4.  Be stationed in Oklahoma or temporarily present through military orders; and
5.  Be continuously enrolled in a program of study at an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.
C.  The spouse and dependent children of a person who meets the in-state status eligibility requirement as set forth in subsection A of this section shall be eligible for resident tuition as long as they meet the requirements as set forth in subsection B of this section.
D.  When a student who meets the requirements of this section is transferred out-of-state through military orders, the student, the spouse of the student and dependent children shall continue to be classified as in-state status for as long as they remain continuously enrolled in a program of study at an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.
E.  A student who meets the requirements of this section and has been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable and who remains in the state, may retain in-state status classification without the twelve-month waiting period if the student establishes domicile in the state.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2011.
SECTION 3.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby 
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

53-1-5755	KB	01/10/11