ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 871

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 4, 1996

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 871.

      This bill extends, from 8 years to 12 years, the time limit in which the surviving spouse of a member or officer of certain fire companies, first aid or rescue squads, and law enforcement agencies killed in the line of duty are eligible to receive tuition benefits at institutions of higher education in the State. The law which this bill amends was originally enacted in 1979 to provide that any surviving spouse or child, upon being accepted to pursue a course of undergraduate study at a public institution of higher education within the State, would have his tuition paid by the State. If the child or surviving spouse is accepted at an independent institution of higher education within the State, he is eligible to have that part of his tuition which is not more than the highest tuition charged at the public institutions paid by the State. Payment of tuition under the program is contingent upon the individual maintaining acceptable academic standing at the college or university.

      Under current law program eligibility is limited to either 8 years from the date of the death of the member or officer in the case of a surviving spouse and 8 years following graduation from high school in the case of a child. This bill extends to 12 years such eligibility for a spouse.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 1996 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which was performed.