BILL NUMBER: S2143
SPONSOR: ORTT
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to awarding high school
diplomas to veterans; and repealing certain provisions of such law
relating thereto
 
PURPOSE:
To allow any veteran who has served this nation to be awarded a high
school degree based on their knowledge and experience gained while in
service.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the education law to allow for any veteran who has
served this nation to be awarded a high school degree based on their
knowledge and experience gained while in service. Current law allows for
a Veteran of World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War to be eligi-
ble for a high school degree, this section allows all Veterans to be
eligible.
Section 2 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Operation Recognition currently allows World War II, Korean, and Vietnam
Veterans to receive their high school diploma. This legislation would
expand this program to cover all veterans. These veterans who served in
our military did so to protect our country and deserve the full support
of this State. Operation Recognition has been very successful and well
received; however, it does not cover events that have occurred over the
approximate last forty years. Veterans who served since Vietnam deserve
the opportunity to receive their High School diploma if they so desire.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.778/A.5058 of 2023/2024; Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and
Military Affairs
S. 3202 of 2021/2022; Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and Mili-
tary Affairs
S. 454 of 2019/2020; Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and Mili-
tary Affairs
S.397 of 2017-2018 Passed Senate
S.6292/A.9597 (2013-14); Passed Senate
S. 3408 of 2015-2016 Passed Senate
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:

Statutes affected:
S2143: 305 education law