SF 2020 (LSB 5101XS (1) 90)

SENATE FILE 2020

BY  ZAUN

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the waiver of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees charged to certain specified first responders and dependents of such first responders who are enrolled in institutions of higher education under the state board of regents.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 262.9, Code 2024, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  17A.  a.  Adopt rules that require institutions of higher education under its control to waive all undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees for first responders or a dependent of the first responder, if designated by a first responder, for not more than five consecutive years while the first responder or dependent is enrolled in the institution of higher education.
   b.  The rules shall require all of the following:
   (1)  The first responder must file with the institution of higher education under the board for each year the waiver of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees is granted pursuant to this subsection an application for the waiver and documentation demonstrating proof of employment as a first responder, verification of satisfactory performance as a first responder, and proof of residence in this state.
   (2)  If the institution of higher education under the board grants the waiver of tuition and mandatory fees to the first responder, the first responder must do all of the following:
   (a)  Enroll in a program of education leading to a bachelor’s degree that is related to the job duties of the first responder.
   (b)  Enter into an agreement with the institution that requires the first responder to either pay to the institution an amount equal to the first responder’s total undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees that the institution waived pursuant to this subsection or to remain a resident of this state for at least five years after the first responder earns a bachelor’s degree or for at least five years after the date the final year of mandatory fees and tuition are waived, whichever is later. The agreement shall also require the first responder to annually file with the institution of higher education under the board documentation demonstrating the residence of the first responder for the required time.
   (3)  If the institution of higher education under the board grants the waiver of tuition and mandatory fees to the dependent of the first responder, the dependent must enter into an agreement with the institution that requires the dependent to either pay to the institution an amount equal to the dependent’s total undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees that the institution waived pursuant to this subsection or to remain a resident of this state for at least five years after the dependent earns a bachelor’s degree from the institution or for at least five years after the date the final year of mandatory fees and tuition are waived, whichever is later. The agreement shall also require the dependent to annually file with the institution of higher education under the board documentation demonstrating the residence of the dependent for the required time.
   c.  For purposes of this subsection:
   (1)  “Dependent” means the spouse or dependent child of a first responder.
   (2)  “First responder” means all of the following:
   (a)  A law enforcement officer, as defined in section 80B.3.
   (b)  A paid professional who is employed on a full-time or part-time basis for the duty of fighting fires.
   (c)  A paid professional who is employed on a full-time or part-time basis for the duty of fighting fires and who is trained and authorized by federal or state law to provide health care services in the course of the individual’s official duties.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the waiver of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees charged to certain specified first responders and dependents of such first responders who are enrolled in institutions of higher education under the state board of regents.
   The bill requires state board of regents to adopt rules that waive all undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees for first responders or a dependent of the first responder for not more than five consecutive years while the first responder or dependent is enrolled in an institution of higher education under the board’s control. The bill defines “dependent” to mean the spouse or dependent child of a first responder. The bill defines “first responder” to mean a law enforcement officer, a paid professional fire fighter, and a paid professional fire fighter who is trained and authorized by federal or state law to provide health care services in the course of the individual’s official duties.
   The bill establishes what such rules are to require, including the first responder’s filing and documentation requirements. The bill provides that such rules are to require the first responder to enroll in a program of education leading to a bachelor’s degree that is related to the job duties of the first responder. Additionally, the bill provides that such rules are to require that if the waiver of tuition is granted to the first responder or dependent, the first responder or dependent must enter into an agreement with the institution requiring the first responder or dependent to either repay the amount of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees that were waived or to remain a resident of this state for at least five years after graduation or at least five years after the date the final year of mandatory fees and tuition are waived, whichever is later. The bill also provides that such rules are to require the first responder and dependent to annually file with the institution documentation demonstrating the residence of the first responder or dependent for the required time.