SENATE SENIOR CITIZENS, VETERANS' AFFAIRS AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1330

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: SEPTEMBER 19, 1996

      The Senate Senior Citizens, Veterans' Affairs and Agriculture Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1330.

      This bill provides that students who are members of the New Jersey National Guard or of the Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States who are called to partial or full mobilization for State or federal active duty while attending a New Jersey public institution of higher education are entitled to certain options for course credit or fee refunds. Students who have been in attendance for a minimum of eight weeks shall be entitled to receive a grade in each course based upon the work completed up to the time of active service. Students who have not completed a minimum of eight weeks or do not wish to receive a grade are entitled to receive a grade of incomplete which shall remain valid for one year; a grade of pass/fail; or a refund of tuition and fees. Students who have paid room and board or other fees shall be entitled to a refund based on the amount of time the facilities or services remained unused by the student.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to clarify that its provisions apply only to students attending a public institution of higher education. The amendments also provide that the bill would be applicable to the 1996-97 academic year and thereafter. As originally drafted, the bill would have applied to the 1995-96 academic year which is now past.