Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

Oklahoma House Bill HB2652 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 01/21/2021

                             
 
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STATE OF OKLAHOMA 
 
1st Session of the 58th Legislature (2021) 
 
HOUSE BILL 2652 	By: Echols 
 
 
 
 
 
AS INTRODUCED 
 
An Act relating to higher education; creating the 
Oklahoma Veteran Educational Assistance Act; waiving 
enrollment fees and tuition for ve terans at certain 
institutions; establishing eligibility criteria for 
waiver; requiring proof of service ; providing for 
codification; providing an effective date; and 
declaring an emergency . 
 
 
 
 
 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: 
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3251 of Title 70, unless there 
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: 
A.  This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma 
Veteran Educational Assistance Act ". 
B.  Subject to the provisions of this section, the enrollment 
fees charged to any veteran of the uniformed military services of 
the United States or Oklahoma National Guard who enrolls at a 
community college or two-year college in The Oklahoma State System 
of Higher Education or the tuition charged to any veteran who   
 
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enrolls in a public postsecondary technology center school or 
college shall be waived. 
C.  The educational benefits provided in this act shall: 
1. Be available for veterans who have previously completed 
basic military training, military occupational specialty training or 
skill-level training; 
2.  Be available for a period of ten (10) years from the date of 
initial membership; and 
3.  Not be available to veterans who have completed a 
baccalaureate degree. 
D.  Any veteran who receives a waiver of enrollment fees or 
tuition pursuant to the Oklahoma Veteran Educational Assistance Act 
shall provide proof of service for a duration of at least four (4) 
years by submitting a signed DD Form 214 Report of Separation from 
the United States Department of Defense . It shall be the 
responsibility of the veteran to obtain a certificate from the 
commanding officer attesting to the satisfactory military 
performance of the veteran and to present the certificate to the 
educational institution in order to obtain a n enrollment fee or 
tuition waiver. 
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2021. 
SECTION 3.  It being immediately n ecessary for the preservation 
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby   
 
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declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and 
be in full force from and after its passage and approval. 
 
58-1-5122 EK 01/14/21