HOUSE BILL NO. 6129

August 17, 2020, Introduced by Rep. Markkanen and referred to the Committee on Education.

"The state school aid act of 1979,"

by amending sections 229 and 275 (MCL 388.1829 and 388.1875), section 229 as amended by 2018 PA 265 and section 275 as amended by 2017 PA 108.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 229. (1) Each community college that receives an appropriation in section 201 is expected to include in its admission application process a specific question as to whether an applicant for admission has ever served or is currently serving in the United States Armed Forces or is the spouse or dependent of an individual who has served or is currently serving in the United States Armed Forces, in order to more quickly identify potential educational assistance available to that applicant.

(2) It is expected that each public community college that receives an appropriation in section 201 shall will work with the house and senate community college subcommittees, the Michigan Community College Association, and veterans groups to review the issue of in-district tuition for veterans of this state when determining tuition rates and fees.

(3) If a student of a community college receiving an appropriation in section 201 is the spouse or dependent of an individual currently serving in the United States Armed Forces who has been transferred out of this state, the community college shall consider that spouse or dependent a resident of this state for determining his or her tuition rates and fees if the spouse or dependent qualified as a resident of this state for determining tuition rates and fees when the community college accepted him or her for admission and, since admission, has been continuously enrolled at the community college.

(4) (3) As used in this section, "veteran" means an honorably discharged veteran entitled to educational assistance under the provisions of section 5003 of the post-911 veterans educational assistance act of 2008, 38 USC 3301 to 3327.

Sec. 275. (1) Each public university that receives an appropriation in section 236 shall do all of the following:

(a) Meet the provisions of section 5003 of the post-911 veterans educational assistance act of 2008, 38 USC 3301 to 3327, including voluntary participation in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program established in that act in 38 USC 3317. By October 1 of each year, each public university shall report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the Michigan Association of State Universities on whether or not it has chosen to participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program. If at any time during the fiscal year a university participating in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program chooses to leave the Yellow Ribbon Program, program, it shall notify the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the Michigan Association of State Universities.

(b) Establish an on-campus veterans' liaison to provide information and assistance to all student veterans.

(d) Include in its admission application process a specific question as to whether an applicant for admission is a veteran, an active member of the military, a member of the National Guard or military reserves, or the spouse or dependent of a veteran, active member of the military, or member of the National Guard or military reserves, in order to more quickly identify potential educational assistance available to that applicant.

(e) Consider all veterans residents of this state for determining their tuition rates and fees.

(f) Waive enrollment fees for all veterans.

(g) If a student of the university is the spouse or dependent of an active member of the military who has been transferred out of this state, consider that spouse or dependent a resident of this state for determining his or her tuition rates and fees if the spouse or dependent qualified as a resident of this state for determining tuition rates and fees when the university accepted him or her for admission and, since admission, has been continuously enrolled at the university.

(2) By October 1 of each year, each public university shall report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the department of military and veterans affairs regarding services provided specifically to veterans and active military duty personnel, including, but not limited to, the services described in subsection (1).

(3) As used in this section, "veteran" means an honorably discharged veteran entitled to educational assistance under the provisions of section 5003 of the post-911 veterans educational assistance act of 2008, 38 USC 3301 to 3327.