Bill Text: SC S0224 | 2011-2012 | 119th General Assembly | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Veterans' children
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2012-06-07 - Referred to Committee on Ways and Means [S0224 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2011-S0224-Comm_Sub.html
COMMITTEE REPORT
February 24, 2011
S. 224
S. Printed 2/24/11--S. [SEC 2/25/11 3:22 PM]
Read the first time January 11, 2011.
To whom was referred a Bill (S. 224) to amend Section 59-111-20, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to free tuition for certain veterans' children, so as to also provide free, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
JOHN E. COURSON for Committee.
EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:
Enactment of this bill would have no impact on state general fund expenditures. Other funds expenditures could be impacted to the extent there is a decrease in other funds revenue from tuition. However, colleges and universities may adjust their tuition and fee schedules to compensate for additional students receiving the free tuition.
SPECIAL NOTES:
Information is not maintained on the number of active duty Purple Heart recipients. However, under the current provision that provides free tuition for children of Purple Heart Recipients wounded in combat, the SC Veterans Office reported that the number of eligible recipients has averaged 27 students per academic year, over the last five years. The average tuition at 4-year and 2-year institutions is $9,278 and $3,943 respectively.
Approved By:
Harry Bell
Office of State Budget
A BILL
TO AMEND SECTION 59-111-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FREE TUITION FOR CERTAIN VETERANS' CHILDREN, SO AS TO ALSO PROVIDE FREE TUITION TO CHILDREN OF CERTAIN ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS WITH HONORABLE WARTIME SERVICE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 59-111-20 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 59-111-20. (A) A child of a wartime veteran, upon application to and approval by the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs, may be admitted to any a state-supported college, university, or post high school technical education institution free of tuition so long as his work and conduct is satisfactory to the governing body of the institution, if the veteran was a resident of this State at the time of entry into service and during service or has been a resident of this State for at least one year and still resides in this State or, if the veteran is deceased, resided in this State for one year before his death, and provided if the veteran served honorably in a branch of the military service of the United States during a war period, as those periods are defined by Section 101, of Title 38 of the United States Code and:
(1) was killed in action;
(2) died from other causes while in the service;
(3) died of disease or disability resulting from service;
(4) was a prisoner of war as defined by Congress or Presidential proclamation during such a war period;
(5) is permanently and totally disabled, as determined by the Veterans Administration from any cause;
(6) has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor;
(7) is missing in action;
(8) the applicant is the child of a deceased veteran who qualified under items (4) and (5); or
(9) has been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.
(B) The provisions of this section apply to a child of a veteran who meets the residency requirements of Chapter 112 of this title, is twenty-six years of age or younger, and is pursuing any type of undergraduate degree. For purposes of determining a child's free tuition eligibility pursuant to item (A)(9), the parent who received the Purple Heart also may be a current active duty service member with honorable wartime service."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
