HB284 Enrolled is a legislative bill that revises the Alabama G.I. and Dependents Educational Benefit Act to enhance educational benefits for the spouses, widows, and children of disabled or deceased veterans. The bill eliminates the previous Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Cap and introduces a new tuition cap of $400 per semester hour, while maintaining a reimbursement cap for books and fees at $1,000 per student per semester. It specifies eligibility criteria for beneficiaries, focusing on veterans and their families, and outlines the proof required to establish eligibility, such as the veteran's residency in Alabama and honorable discharge. The bill also allows the State Department of Veterans' Affairs to request Alabama income tax return information to verify residency requirements.

The bill further details the limitations on educational benefits, restricting them to undergraduate courses and setting the tuition paid to the in-state tuition rate of the attended school. It includes provisions for those attending private schools and stipulates that the educational benefits apply to those first filing on or after July 31, 2017. The bill has been amended to remove the term "serviceman" to focus on veterans, and it is set to become effective on July 31, 2024. The Senate passed the bill with amendments on May 8, 2024, and the House concurred with these amendments the following day.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 31-6-15