ASSEMBLY MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5390

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 10, 2019

      The Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5390.

     Under the “New Jersey Tuition Equality for America’s Military (NJTEAM) Act,” P.L.2015, c.32, certain veterans who live in New Jersey and attend a public institution of higher education are eligible for in-State tuition rates regardless of the veteran’s state of residence. The NJTEAM Act also extends in-State tuition eligibility to certain other “covered individuals” such as the veteran’s spouse or child.  This bill expands the definition of a “covered individual” under the NJTEAM Act to also provide in-State tuition eligibility to individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under the United States Department of Veterans Affairs’ “Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program” (38 U.S.C. s.3100 et seq.) effective for courses, semesters, or terms that begin after March 1, 2019.

     The provisions of this bill conform with a recent federal law, section 301 of Public Law No. 115-251, which provides that individuals using educational assistance under the Department of Veterans Affairs’ “Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program” who live in the state must be charged the in-state tuition rate at a public institution of higher education.