An Act To Broaden Educational Opportunities to Members of the Maine National Guard and Provide Financial Assistance to Veterans
Sec. 1. 37-B MRSA §352, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2015, c. 465, Pt. D, §4, is further amended to read:
Sec. 2. 37-B MRSA §352-A is enacted to read:
§ 352-A. Participating institution registration
A member is entitled to a tuition benefit described in this subchapter at a private nonprofit postsecondary education institution in the State if that private nonprofit postsecondary education institution is registered with the Military Bureau as a participating institution in the manner prescribed by the bureau. The bureau may adopt rules to implement the registration requirement described in this section. Rules adopted in accordance with this section are routine technical rules as described under Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2.
Sec. 3. 37-B MRSA §353-B, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 465, Pt. D, §6, is amended to read:
§ 353-B. Tuition benefit for member
A member who meets the prerequisites of section 354 is entitled to a 100% tuition benefit at a state postsecondary education institution , except that the tuition benefit at a state postsecondary education institution that is a private nonprofit postsecondary education institution may not exceed the in-state tuition at the University of Maine at Orono for the previous academic year. The benefit applies to tuition for a member enrolled or accepted for admission to a state postsecondary education institution on a full-time or part-time basis. To be eligible for the benefit, a member must be enrolled full-time or part-time at a state postsecondary education institution. The benefit may be used to earn one credential at the following levels: baccalaureate, associate or certificate and licensure. The benefit must be reduced by any other tuition assistance received by a member not related to housing costs or non-tuition expenses.
Sec. 4. 37-B MRSA §357, as repealed and replaced by PL 2015, c. 465, Pt. D, §12, is amended to read:
§ 357. In-state tuition rates
A Unless otherwise provided under this subchapter, a member who is approved to receive tuition benefits under this subchapter qualifies for in-state tuition rates.
Sec. 5. 37-B MRSA §505, sub-§1-A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 415, Pt. A, §§24 and 25, is repealed.
Sec. 6. 37-B MRSA §505, sub-§§1-B and 1-C are enacted to read:
(1) Damage to that veteran's home due to fire, flood or hurricane that is not fully compensable by insurance;
(2) Illness or the illness of an immediate family member; or
(3) Hardship that would result in the veteran becoming homeless.
For the purposes of this subsection, "veteran" has the same meaning as "eligible veteran" in section 504, subsection 4, paragraph A-1. The director may also determine eligibility for temporary financial assistance on a case-by-case basis.
Sec. 7. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
DEFENSE, VETERANS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF
Maine National Guard Postsecondary Fund Z190
Initiative: Provides funding for tuition assistance to veterans attending state postsecondary education institutions and private postsecondary education institutions.
| GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
|
All Other
|
$0 | $150,000 |
 |
|
|
| GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $150,000 |
Veterans Temporary Assistance Fund N284
Initiative: Establishes the Veterans Temporary Assistance Fund and provides funding for financial assistance to veterans.
| GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
|
All Other
|
$0 | $250,000 |
|
|
|
| GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $250,000 |
| DEFENSE, VETERANS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF | ||
| DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
|
GENERAL FUND
|
$0 | $400,000 |
|
|
|
| DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $0 | $400,000 |