RDCSB90 224 3200
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
SB 90 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Erdey
Present law provides for tuition and fee exemptions, also referred to as scholarships, for any
child of a police officer, deputy sheriff, or adult probation and parole officer killed or
disabled in the performance of duty. Provides that the child shall be otherwise eligible for
admission, meet academic standards, and comply with the rules and regulations required for
full-time attendance. Proposed law requires compliance with rules and regulations required
for attendance, not full-time attendance, and otherwise retains present law.
Present law provides for a child's admission without the payment of fees or charges for
tuition and for books required for any course undertaken. Proposed law limits the exemption
from payment of fees and charges for books to those for required courses. Present law
exempts the child from payment of fees and charges for room and board. Proposed law limits
the availability of this exemption to full-time students.
Present law limits scholarship duration to the number of semesters required for a full-time
student to obtain one bachelor's degree and prohibits the scholarship from exceeding eight
semesters per child. Proposed law deletes present law and instead provides that the
scholarship shall be provided for the time period required to earn one undergraduate degree
or one vocational or technical certificate or diploma but shall not cover more than:
(1)120 hours of course work required to earn a bachelor's degree.
(2)75 hours of course work required to earn an associate's degree.
(3)60 hours of course work required to earn a vocational or technical certificate or
diploma.
Proposed law adds that if a student first earns a transferable associate's degree from a public
two-year institution and then transfers to a public four-year college or university, the
scholarship shall cover an additional 60 hours of course work required to earn a bachelor's
degree.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:1681.1(A) and (B))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
original bill
1. Allows scholarship to be used for obtaining a vocational or technical
certificate or diploma.
2. Limits scholarship to hours of required course work to earn a degree,
certificate, or diploma instead of a specified number of semesters.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the
engrossed bill:
1. Provide that only full-time students granted a scholarship pursuant to present law
shall be exempt from payment of room and board charges.
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