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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
COMMITTEE REPORT
April 20, 2006
H. 4264
S. Printed 4/20/06--H.
Read the first time June 01, 2005.
To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4264) to amend Sections 59-111-110 and 59-111-170, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, both relating to free tuition for children of firemen, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
DANIEL T. COOPER for Committee.
EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:
Commission on Higher Education (CHE)
The impact of this bill on higher education would be in the loss of in-state tuition revenues that would have been collected from the eligible students for which the provision applies. Institutions may adjust their tuition and fee schedules to compensate if the bill is enacted.
Department of Social Services
The department indicates that this bill would have no impact on the General Fund of the State or federal and/or other funds.
SPECIAL NOTES:
There are currently 330 foster youth statewide between the ages of 18 and 21 with150 of those enrolled at a post-secondary institution. CHE estimates that upon enactment that number of foster youth attending a public post secondary institution may climb to as many as 250. The average tuition for a public four year institution is $8,065 while the average for a public two year institution is $3,128.
Approved By:
William C. Gillespie
Board of Economic Advisors
1/ This statement meets the requirement of Section 2-7-71 for a state revenue impact by the BEA, or Section 2-7-76 for a local revenue impact or Section 6-1-85(B) for an estimate of the shift in local property tax incidence by the Office of Economic Research.
TO AMEND SECTIONS 59-111-110 AND 59-111-170, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BOTH RELATING TO FREE TUITION FOR CHILDREN OF FIREMEN, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, AND GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES TOTALLY DISABLED OR KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, SO AS TO INCLUDE CERTAIN CHILDREN IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 59-111-110 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 59-111-110. (A) No tuition may be charged for a period of four school years by any state-supported college or university or any state-supported vocational or technical school for children of:
(1) children of firemen, both regularly employed and members of volunteer organized units, organized rescue squad members, members of the Civil Air Patrol, law enforcement officers, or corrections officers, as defined herein, including reserve and auxiliary units of counties or municipalities who become totally disabled or are killed in the line of duty on or after July 1, 1964;
(2) children of government employees who become totally disabled or are killed in the line of duty while working on state time on or after July 1, 1996, as a result of a criminal act committed against them which constitutes a felony under the laws of this State; or
(3) children in the custody of the Department of Social Services pursuant to court order or children formerly in the custody of the Department of Social Services who currently are participating in a Department of Social Services program for children transitioning from foster care to independent living.
(B) The tuition authorized to be paid by this section applies only to undergraduate courses or curriculum and may be paid for a period not exceeding four years, regardless of the number of state-supported colleges, universities, or state-supported vocational or technical schools the child attends. As used in this section, 'four years' is defined as a maximum of eight semesters, including a fall and a spring semester, and does not include a summer term."
SECTION 2. Section 59-111-170 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 59-111-170. (A) An Application application for the free tuition provided for in this article shall must be filed with the governing body of the institution and shall must be accompanied by:
(1) proof or evidence of the death or total disability of the parent of the applicant and such proof or evidence that the injury or death occurred in the line of duty as considered necessary by such the governing body, which shall have; or
(2) verification by the Department of Social Services that the applicant is a child in the custody of the Department of Social Services pursuant to court order or is a child formerly in the custody of the Department of Social Studies who currently is participating in a Department of Social Services program for children transitioning from foster care to independent living.
(B) The governing body of the institution has sole discretion in granting or not granting free tuition."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to the first complete semester that a student attends after the effective date of this act.
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