Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
Senator CARMEN F. AMATO, JR.
District 9 (Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Increases tuition credit amount permitted under volunteer tuition credit program.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning tuition credit for certain members of a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad and amending P.L.1998, c.145.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.1998, c.145 (C.18A:71-78.1) is amended to read as follows:
1. A person who is an active member of a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association in good standing and the dependent children and spouse of a volunteer shall be allowed to enroll in a postsecondary program on a tuition-free basis in a county college, county vocational school or county technical institute and be eligible to receive tuition credit in an amount not to exceed a maximum of [$2,400] $5,000 for the member, children and spouse; provided that available classroom space permits and that tuition paying students constitute the minimum number required for the course. Nothing herein shall preclude a county college, county vocational school or county technical institute from requiring registration and lab fees for individuals attending courses pursuant to this act.
(cf: P.L.1998, c.145, s.1)
2. Section 2 of P.L.1998, c.145 (C.18A:71-78.2) is amended to read as follows:
2. In order to be eligible to receive tuition credit at a county college, county vocational school or county technical institute, a person shall agree to serve as a member of a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association for a minimum of four years and sign an agreement with the municipality in which the squad or association is located pledging four years of service in exchange for the tuition credit. Following each year of volunteer service performed, the volunteer or the spouse or dependent child shall be entitled to receive tuition credit of up to [$600] $1,250, not to exceed a maximum of [$2,400] $5,000 for the member, children and spouse over a four-year service period.
(cf: P.L.1998, c.145, s.2)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill increases the tuition credit amount permitted under the volunteer tuition credit program.
Under current law, certain persons who are active members of a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association in good standing and the persons dependent children and spouse are permitted to enroll in a postsecondary program on a tuition-free basis in a county college, county vocational school or county technical institution and be eligible to receive tuition credit in an amount not to exceed a maximum of $2,400 provided the person agrees to serve as a member of a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association for a minimum of four years of service. Current law provides for a tuition credit of up to $600 following each year of service not to exceed a maximum of $2,400 for the member, dependent, and spouse over a four-year service period.
This bill increases the tuition credit amount from $600 to $1,250 per year of service, not to exceed a maximum of $5,000 for the member, dependent, and spouse over a four-year service period.