A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-53-35 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE BOARD FOR TECHNICAL AND COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION SHALL ADOPT A POLICY APPLICABLE TO ALL TECHNICAL COLLEGE AREA COMMISSIONS THAT RECOGNIZEs AND AWARDs CREDENTIALS AND COLLEGE CREDIT FOR COURSES AND EXPERIENCES COMPLETED IN THE MILITARY AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POLICY AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION, AND TO PROVIDE THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM SHALL WORK WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS TO ESTABLISH GUIDELINES TO ENSURE THE CONSISTENT REVIEW AND AWARDING OF ELIGIBLE CREDIT.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Article 1, Chapter 53, Title 59 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 59-53-35. Before December 1, 2025, the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education shall adopt a policy applicable to all technical college area commissions that recognizes and awards credentials and college credit for courses and experiences completed in the military as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). Courses and experience completed in the military as recommended by ACE may qualify for exemption credit at the state's technical colleges. The policy must provide that the Joint Service Transcripts or similar service-specific documentation must be reviewed to determine eligibility. Individuals shall coordinate with the local technical college to which they are applying in the eligibility determination process. The Technical College System shall work with the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs to establish guidelines to ensure the consistent review and awarding of eligible credit.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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